ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Holly Noseworthy isn’t selling anything and isn’t asking for anything, either. She has no hidden agenda, no catch and no ulterior motive.
In the midst of the public rush to stock up on food and household supplies in preparation for the COVID-19 virus to hit the island, Noseworthy just wants to help get those items to the people who need them the most.
Noseworthy normally works two jobs, but with a recent layoff from one, has found herself temporarily less busy than usual. Concerned about what she says is an explosion of panic over the COVID-19 virus – particularly when it comes to people hoarding toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other items — her thoughts kept coming back to seniors and those who are immunocompromised and might not have the health, ability or means to get out and take part in the rush.
“I just thought, what can I be doing to keep busy and to help people out?” she told The Telegram.
Noseworthy made a simple post on Facebook, asking friends to share it as much as they could: “Any of our seniors need help with buying their groceries, I will grocery shop for you. Family members who may not be able to do it, reach out to me and I will happily help!”
Noseworthy’s offer is simple: contact her, send her your shopping list and make arrangements to get the money to pay for the items to her, and she will pick up what you need and deliver it to your home. She realizes it might feel awkward for some to reach out to a stranger, but she’s hoping people will take her up on her offer to be their personal coronavirus preparation concierge.
With one parent a senior and the other quite immunocompromised, Noseworthy understands how some families might feel overwhelmed.
“I’m an only child and I do these things for my own parents,” she says. “If I weren’t living in the province, I don’t know what they’d do. For some people, the coronavirus is a very serious thing. Some families are worried that their loved one might not even survive."
Sometimes you’ve just got to step up for your community, strangers or not, Noseworthy says.
“I just want to bring some light to the darkness,” she explains. “And I truly believe that what you give, you get back.”
Noseworthy is offering her services to people in St. John’s and surrounding areas, and, if need be, she has a crew of friends willing to help deliver items. She can be reached by phone at 685-7218.
