Helping Neighbors Get Groceries During a Blackout
The simple task of grocery shopping has become one of the most stressful – but inevitable – activities we all need to tackle during the coronavirus pandemic. For people who cannot easily get to the store, the problem is even more difficult, especially since many delivery services warn about long waiting times .
Walmart and regional social network Nextdoor launched the program “neighbors helping neighbors “ to connect people who need products with people who are willing and able to pick up a few extra items while visiting a supermarket.
A Nextdoor member who needs help getting groceries or recipes can go to the Groups tab to see a list of nearby Walmart stores, and can compose a message asking for help from another member in their area.
If you would like to pick up something during your trip, you can indicate availability information. Users can communicate privately for details and payment; the program press release recommends “contactless payment and delivery methods”.
The new partnership helps keep requests and volunteers in sync, but you don’t have to be a Walmart customer to help your neighbors.
You can also check the map of aid nextdoor, to find out where people in your area offer a variety of ways, from campaigns for products to dog walking and check.
Beyond Nextdoor, local Facebook groups can help you find ways to help your neighbors, whether in local interest groups or neighborhood groups.
Then, of course, there is your physical network: if you have neighbors you don’t know personally, it’s time to introduce yourself to them. Don’t just walk up to their front door and knock – this is a “before the times” approach. Instead, leave a note with your phone number and email address and let them know that you are here to help if that neighbor needs groceries / pet help / someone to talk to.
This goes beyond thinking about older people . A needy neighbor may be someone who lives alone and has no transportation, someone with reduced mobility, someone with an infant or young children, someone who lives with an elderly adult they care about.
Here’s the top tip I can give you when it comes to asking someone to buy groceries: Give them time to think about what they want.
It’s my fault that I don’t do this enough. I will write when I’m already in the car: “I am going to the store, do you need anything?”
Usually, the person immediately sends a message that he doesn’t need anything. Then I’ll get a second message when they remember they need butter or bananas. At this point, I usually stand in line to leave or already return to the car.
So give your friends and neighbors time to think about your requests before you run out to the store. The hour is good; preferably a few hours or half a day. In the end, it will make everyone more efficient, which makes a big difference during one of the nerve-wracking grocery shopping that has become our new norm.