While most Americans are remaining in the safety and security of their respective homes, San Jose Earthquakes U-19 Academy player Kayleen Gowers has gone out of her way to help people in her community.
Kayleen and her Los Altos High School classmate Greg Corn have taken it upon themselves to reach out to those in need through Nextdoor, a location-based app that connects you with people in your area. Kayleen and Greg created a post on the app, asking if Los Altos residents were unable to leave their homes to purchase groceries.
“We were empathizing with those who can’t leave their homes and are really affected during this time,” said Kayleen. “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.”
Every single morning, Kayleen and Greg will start on two to five orders. They meet up at 8 a.m. to head to their local grocery store and shop for up to two hours and complete their deliveries around noon.
While inside the grocery store, Greg took a call from one of their community members. Greg tells them that they will not charge a delivery fee, a few seconds pass, and Greg reacts with a proud smile.
“They asked us, what’s your delivery fee? I think it’s a question we get a lot because people expect us to charge and sometimes people will pay us anyway, so we donate the tips to an organization. She asked me if there was a delivery fee, I said there was none and she was just really surprised so that was nice to hear.”
It’s clear that their generosity has had a tremendous effect on those in need. All tips they receive get donated to One Fair Wage, an organization that helps provide relief funds for employees who have been laid off or are otherwise struggling financially.
Through their Nextdoor post, Kayleen and Greg also reach out to locals who want to donate medical supplies that can better serve hospitals. If they are able to, Kayleen and Greg will finish off their grocery runs by delivering those supplies to nearby hospitals.
Since they posted on Nextdoor, Kayleen and Greg have fulfilled 30+ orders and are showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. The Earthquakes Academy has cancelled matches and practices through the end of April. Until then, Kayleen will continue to work diligently on her grocery runs and her senior-year homework before heading off to Princeton University.
The San Jose Earthquakes and Quakes Foundation are humbled and inspired by the amazing work of our frontline communities and neighbors in this time of crisis. Each week, we’ll be featuring and highlighting the work of one fantastic neighborhood hero, showcasing the great work they are doing and the organizations our community can rally around.
Additionally, the Quakes Foundation will provide a $274 micro-grant donation to an organization or community project at the direction of each week’s hero. This week we’ll be donating $274 to One Fair Wage on behalf of Kayleen Gowers and Greg Corn.
One Fair Wage is advancing policy, driving industry change, and shifting the narrative in order to ensure that all workers in America are paid at least the full minimum wage. During the COVID Crisis, they’re providing gas assistance to restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers and more. Learn more at: https://onefairwage.com/
_
Do you know a hero in your neighborhood? Nominate a hero in your world by visiting
