Classes might be online and at home, but that hasn’t stopped eight Carroll Senior High School students from getting out into the community. In fact, they’re trying to make a difference locally by starting a no-fee grocery delivery service for Southlake’s most vulnerable residents.
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, junior Caroline Hao came up with the idea of starting a grocery delivery service with her mother to help alleviate stress for some senior and immunocompromised residents. But as they were brainstorming, Caroline decided to reach out to her friend, junior Zack Kadir, to consider possibly expanding it.
After gathering a few other friends and creating a landing page, Caroline and her peers started the grocery delivery service, with the team receiving and fulfilling their first requests earlier this week.
“We hope to accomplish two things through our service: help those in need get access to groceries and essentials and also foster a culture of philanthropy in the Southlake community,” Caroline expresses. “We are trying to do as much as we can to help Southlake and its citizens during this stressful time and create some stability when a large part of our lives feel chaotic.”
The team takes delivery requests through a Google submission form that requires residents’ names, contact information, address and specific items they need from the grocery store. Payment for the groceries can be provided either through check or through the group’s Venmo account at @CISDGroceryDelivery.
The group has even partnered with CSHS’ National Honor Society to create a grocery delivery fund to offset operational costs, with leftover funds going towards the hunger nonprofit Feeding America through their online fundraiser.
“COVID-19 has created an unprecedented series of new challenges for the local, national and international community alike,” Caroline expresses. “We hope that people can learn to stay optimistic and hopeful, even in difficult or challenging situations. We want everyone to remember there are always people around them that may be in a more difficult situation, and that there is always a way to give back and help.”
To learn more about the CISD Grocery Delivery Service, call 817.908.9579 or email CarolHao5@Gmail.com.