A student volunteer delivers groceries. Courtesy Reuben Zuckerman
By Jill Fox
To assist those who can’t leave their homes during the pandemic, one Parkland student has launched the local nonprofit organization “Deliver Together.”
The organization provides groceries to those the most vulnerable, whether they are elderly, immunocompromised, or feel at-risk leaving their homes.
Reuben Zuckerman, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, launched the Florida initiative, where students can earn service hours by helping the community.
One resident of Cypress Head used Deliver Together and found it relatively easy to set up an online account.
“The volunteer reaches out and asks what you want and from where,” he said.
How it works is a client who needs food or supplies gets in touch with a volunteer through the website. The volunteer then purchases what the client needs and delivers the items to their home; after taking a photo of their receipts, they get reimbursed by the clients.
“An MSD student dropped off food, I “venmo’ed him money — it was pretty simple,” said the client, who asked the volunteer to shop at Trader Joe’s because they typically use Shipt, and the company will only shop at certain stores.
The client said Deliver Together worked for his family because they are not going shopping at all. His wife is immunocompromised, and they stay in as much as possible to protect themselves.
Deliver Together does not allow tipping; however, customers can donate to the organization.
“There’s no doubt that we’ll use it again,” he said.
Interested clients can visit delivertogether.org to sign up for their services or email Reuben for more information.
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