Pages

Monday, April 6, 2020

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

When in need, people come through for each other, especially neighbors now that the COVID-19 virus has reached pandemic status and, sadly, claimed many lives.

In the past, when natural disasters and other misfortunes struck, assistance was through monetary donations to organizations.

That's changed in the past month. 

People are out of work, school children are home, restaurants, local businesses, libraries, churches, senior centers and more are shuttered. Families and individuals are struggling to buy food and/or basic necessities. Some items are increasingly hard to find and, when they can be found, it might require travel to several stores.


That's WHY it was especially heartwarming to see how residents at our mill apartments responded after another resident suggested a community food bank within the building. The management office staff not only supported this idea, but even started it off with some contributions. 

In the course of an overnight, food items and toiletry item were being donated by residents to help other residents. (The wall signage is in English and Spanish.) There's also a supply of water and snacks for delivery folks provided by management personnel. 
This Community Pantry is set up in the package delivery room of the mill apartments. It's only accessible to residents to either drop off or pick up needed items.

As many readers of this blog know, some may not, we currently reside in a mill apartment in Nashua, NH. The historic 1823 building, once a bustling textile mill, is a 5-story apartment community with 326 units. The total number of residents living here is just over 900. YIKES ! That's a LOT of folks all in one location and nearly double the total population of the VA Eastern Shore town we previously lived in.


To their credit, residents have been diligent about remaining in their apartments except for necessary outings to food shop and some to jobs that require staffing. All facilities (gym, pool, function room) and the management office are closed. However, maintenance and other requests can be made by phone calls as staff remain on-site.

It takes a community to come together. The one we live in has certainly done just that.

Have you seen or participated in any community come-togethers where you live?

15 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

I hadn't realize that your complex was so impressively large.

Yes, all sorts of things are going on here such as helping people with shopping both by an organization and just by people helping others whom they know or know of.

mamasmercantile said...

So many phone calls is the first thing that comes to mind offering help and asking if we need anything. Little tokens left at the door, we are a community that has certainly pulled together. Stay safe.

R's Rue said...

Stay safe.

Valerie said...

I think we should cheer all residents. Today my neighbours did my shopping. It wasn't a lot but I was very, very grateful.

MadSnapper said...

so far we have not needed assistance, but have had several offers if we do need help. I did assist a friend by buying meat and leaving on her chair outside her door. she left the money for it in the chair... your complex has the right idea

Tara said...

I love that your neighbors are doing this. This is the kind of caring for one another that we certainly need right now.

I live in a small neighborhood of 36 units of tri-plexes, with a clubhouse and exercise room. I moved in Oct 27, 2019 and everyone has been very neighborly. Our weekly yoga class in the clubhouse is of course cancelled, but we schedule Thursdays at 2 pm to go onto our front patios and check in with neighbors from a safe distance. I organized a candle lighting last week that resulted in 5 of us gathering in our individual driveways. Maybe it will catch on -- it is meant to honor the first repsonders and everyone on the front lines.

We do have a woman here who left flyers at all doors, volunteering to grocery shop and run errands for anyone who needs it. We are a 55+ complex, so we've got many older folks among us.

Let's keep caring for each other! I love what your neighbors are doing.

Connie said...

So many have stepped up to help during these scary times. Glad to hear you are safe and well.

Anonymous said...

How thoughtful and kind of neighbors helping neighbors there. That's the best part of community. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy there. Take care.

DUTA said...

There's help and volunteering here too..
I'm afraid, however, if this virus thing will last more than a few months - people will get weary and we'll have a "each to his own" picture.

Nil @ The Little House by the Lake said...

It warms my heart to see how generous most people are.

Your apartment complex is huge! Like a small city.
Stay safe Beatrice.

Bill said...

Wow, what a grand story. It's nice to live among people who care about others. Stay safe!

Rain said...

Hi Dorothy :) I think a community pantry is such a marvelous idea. Kudos to all of you at the Mill! :)

My name is Erika. said...

Since my husband is immunosuppressed, we are really living in isolation. I run to grocery store, but mostly we are just staying home. Nice that you could go down and grab something you might need and not have to run out. Stay safe.

L. D. said...

Our church is handing out bags of food. I liked hearing the rewording of where you live. That is quite a piece of history.

baili said...

this is heartwarming sharing dear friend

i always touches my heart when humanity is celebrated through acts of kindness

this is so nice that people living in your building are so supportive and generous ,May Lord keep smiling upon them ,amen!!!