A San Jose Earthquakes academy member is stepping up during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering groceries around her hometown of Los Altos, California to people who are unable to leave their homes to shop.
Kayleen Gowers, who plays for the Quakes' U-19 academy team, started the grocery runs with her Los Altos High School classmate Greg Corn through an app called NextDoor, which they used to connect with people in the area who could use the help. Gowers and Corn meet at 8 am every morning and spend two hours purchasing people's order before finishing their deliveries by noon.
The whole project was documented in a feature by SJEarthquakes.com's Marco Gutierrez.
"We were empathizing with those who can't leave their homes and really affected during this time," Gowers told Gutierrez. "Obviously for us, we're also affected but there are those who are much more at risk and the stakes are much higher. I was trying to put myself in their shoes and understand where they're coming from. A lot of them are probably scared and alone. That's how I got the idea of doing grocery runs."
They don't charge delivery fees, and whatever tips people do want to give them get donated to an organization called One Fair Wage, which helps provide relief to employees who have been laid off or are struggling financially. Through NextDoor, they also help facilitate locals donating medical supplies that go to hospitals.
So far, Gowers and Corn have completed 30-plus orders and are planning on continuing the project. Gowers is planning on attending Princeton next fall.
