It’s odd waking up with nowhere to be, no traffic to beat. Laptop screens replaced our favorite teachers. We wear masks and gloves to shop, and we check in with our grandparents every night because they are most vulnerable. That is our new reality.
The novel coronavirus has impacted our lives in unprecedented ways, and for me, it has been rather difficult to adjust. During times like these, though, I believe the best way to maintain a sense of normalcy is to branch out in innovative ways to help your community, whether it be writing thank you letters to those on the front lines, donating to hunger relief or, for me, starting a grocery delivery service for seniors, the immunocompromised and others in need.
With the help of eight amazing friends, we’ve been able to fulfill orders all over Southlake. The first few deliveries weren’t without some trial and error, though. As teens with relatively limited life experience, we’ve learned:
- The minimum age to shop at Costco is 18 (and the manager will enforce the rule!).
- Driving with gloves makes for rather sweaty palms.
- It's hard to take group photos when everyone has to stand 6 feet apart, and no one’s smiles are seen past the masks. We’ve mastered the art of the smize, though.
- Toilet paper is the hottest commodity on the market.
- The white side of the mask is the side that goes against your face. This was a topic of a rather heated debate on our first delivery.
- Some customers are quite picky, and you can turn the whole store upside down and not find the specific brand they asked for.
- Venmo can actually be pretty difficult to figure out, especially if you don’t have much technology experience.
- Being careful and organized when loading groceries into your trunk helps with shifting.
Even with countless memories made and new experiences every time, the highlight of this project has been the interactions I’ve had with the people we’ve delivered to. From grandmas to cancer patients to parents of former Carroll ISD students, talking to them and learning their individual stories has been interesting and unforgettable. One of our delivery requests was from an amazing woman living alone who had recently gone through chemotherapy treatments. While we dropped her items off on her doorstep, she shared life advice and anecdotes (while standing 6 feet apart, of course). Another one of my friends has had the chance to help out a former baseball coach. My friends and I believe that the best part of volunteering is getting a chance to connect with the community on a unique, personal level. A close second, though, is getting to leave the house and see friends while still being productive and safe.
This year isn’t going the way anyone could have imagined, but I’m so grateful for the opportunity to help, and perhaps we will inspire others to do so as well. Stay safe, and take care.
Caroline Hao is a rising senior who created a grocery delivery service with eight of her classmates.
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