CINCINNATI, Ohio — For senior citizens, making a trip to the grocery store or pharmacy is simply not safe during this coronavirus pandemic —which has created a large need for assistance all across the state.
But luckily for residents of Greater Cincinnati, a group of University of Cincinnati medical students are offering a helping hand.
- 40 UC medical students are part of a service called Cincinnati + NKY COVID-19 Match, with 130 total volunteers
- They help seniors stay inside by running errands, like picking up groceries or prescriptions
- The service is volunteer-driven, so it is free to the recipients.
Alyssa Kelder is one of the students shopping for seniors to help them stay safe. She said she always knew she wanted to help people, but never thought doing something as simple as buying groceries would be how.
“The last few weeks in this whole situation has been incredibly difficult and stressful for everyone,” Kelder said. “I think it’s something really small and easy that we can do to kind of bring down that stress level and help protect the people in our community that are more vulnerable to the severe effects of the virus.”
A group of 40 medical students are part of a service called Cincinnati + NKY COVID-19 Match, which connects young and healthy volunteers with someone who needs help with simple tasks, like getting groceries.
The whole idea came about when third-year UC medical student Cassandra Schoborg thought of helping her own grandmother. She learned how other students were giving back in Louisville and bounced the idea off one of her classmates Tommy Daley.
“We just went with it,” Schoborg said. And we didn’t know how many people we would reach, but it’s turned out to be pretty successful.”
“The Match,” as the students call it for short, is absolutely free.
Daley said their service has given the students a sense of purpose.
“It was exciting to see a lot of other people get a lot of purpose in their life from this opportunity,” Daley said. “And it was really heartwarming to see that in a pretty dark hour for humanity, it was also our shining hour, our shining moment.”
It works in a few simple steps.
First, a person who needs help reaches out to the group for help by calling 513-327-8583 or emailing cinncinnatimatch@gmail.com.
Once they are matched with a volunteer, they send their student match a grocery list.
The student picks the items up, and purchases them, then drops the items off at their house.
The recipient then reimburses the student in whatever payment form is most convenient for both parties, but electronically is preferred.
Schoborg said they’re trying to be an example for others to help those who might need assistance during this uncertain time.
“Yeah, that’s the hope,” she said. “If we can encourage that type of neighborly behavior in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, that’s exactly what we’re striving for.”
And for 67-year-old Yvonne Carroll, the help from the students means everything.
“I cannot explain how helpful this is,” Carroll exclaimed. “This means more than life itself.”
She said it really shows how much they want to help and truly care.
“These people really, they don’t know who I am, but yes, they have enough love in their heart and care for somebody who is elderly,” said Carroll. “I don’t consider myself being elderly, but anyhow, to come and help us, (means a lot).”
And that’s exactly the reason the students are doing it.
“It’s really easy to do, it makes you feel good that you’re helping out someone who shouldn’t be leaving their house, especially right now,” said Schoborg.
“To provide community in this time where we’re so spread out, has been really, really touching.” Daley said.
If you are looking for assistance or if you want to volunteer with this program, you can learn more info by contacting Cincinnati + NKY COVID-19 Match at cincinnatimatch@gmail.com or call 513-327-8583.