Last week, James Hays saw an older gentleman waiting in line to buy bananas at Trader Joe’s in Pacific Beach. Hays struck up a conversation with the gentleman.
After learning that the senior was waiting in line for one item, Hays had a eureka moment. He quickly contacted his friends, who all play volleyball together, and asked: “Guys, we need to do something. Who can help?”
Six people joined immediately and were willing to do whatever needed to be done. That night they stayed up to 1:30 a.m. putting together a website (stayhomesd.com) and a GoFundMe page for a donation-based, volunteer-run free delivery service. They launched it at 8 a.m., and have been delivering groceries to senior citizens and at-risk individuals ever since – more than 700 to date.
The growing number of volunteers plan to cover all of San Diego, and even have people willing to drive south to the border or north to San Marcos and Bonsall. While most of the original volunteers were from the volleyball group, more have since joined.
“We are so lucky to know so many people with caring hearts and so many people who have the time to help us,” said Sydney Prochnow, who is an event organizer for the group.
To order groceries, call 619-800-3252, se habla Espanol 619-800-5432, or visit stayhomesd.com.
To help out and/or donate, visit stayhomesd.com and follow the donate link.