North Carolina Woman Archives

A North Carolina woman is doing grocery runs for her older neighbors to reduce their risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

North Carolina Woman

Rebecca Hoeffler works at Duke University which is now at a work from home arrangement due to the coronavirus outbreak. The virus has greatly affected the U.S. and many other countries.

According to the recent research done on the virus, the ones most at risk of catching the it are those who have pre-existing health problems and the elders. And because of that, Rebecca came up with an idea to help the elders in her neighborhood.

Grocery runs for elders

The communications coordinator at Duke University is using her lunch break for a good use. During her one-hour break, she does grocery runs, not for herself, but for her senior citizen neighbors.

The idea came up when Rebecca’s grandfather in New Jersey called her on the phone. Her 91-years-old grandfather told her that he was going out grocery shopping. Rebecca was concerned for him. However, she can’t do anything for him since she’s miles away. So, she decided to help those near her instead.

Rebecca’s next door elder neighbor Patti asked her to buy him some paper towels, fresh fruit and flour.

“I was really lucky to find the paper towels—that whole aisle is almost empty,” she said.

In return for her kindness, she received homemade bread made from some of the flour she bought for Patti as a gratitude.

“Am I excited that I’m probably going to get a sweet loaf of banana bread from my neighbor, Patti, because of this, yes,” Rebecca said. “Either way though, I think being able to help your neighbor is one of the most American things that you can do.”

Stepping up for the community

She is encouraging everyone to also step up to help the community during this difficult season.

“In these situations, when the community steps up, you really lessen the pressure on first responders and medical personnel,” she said in an email. “If you’re able to decrease, even by a little bit, the number of patients that have to seek care because they’ve been exposed to something, it’s good for the community as a whole. Utilizing people power is one of the best ways that we can combat the virus.”

Reference: Good News Network