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INDIANAPOLIS — Helping neighbors in need. That's the goal of a new effort that started with a simple sign up sheet that has quickly turned into something much larger.
Indianapolis resident Alicia Baker is working to virtually connect people who live in the same neighborhood. She said there are people out there who need help with various tasks — like getting groceries. Baker said elderly or immuno-compromised people who live alone may want someone to just call regularly and check in on them.
Whatever the case may be, Baker said she knows there are neighbors ready and willing to help. She's now working to connect them.
People can sign up with an online form and then she and her team work to connect people who live in the same area. Baker said the response has been overwhelming.
"Over 700 people have signed up to volunteer which is great," Baker said. "Right now we only have about 25 people who have asked for help but I've been working on the back end with food pantries, in-home facilities to help get those people connected to each other."
Baker said others, like Melissa Loria, had the same idea so they are now working together to match neighbors all across the city and create lists of neighborhood resources.
"While we are all trying to stay in our home and be apart from one another, in a weird way bringing us all together in ways we haven't been before, but virtually of course," Loria said.
Baker said volunteers are working to be careful when they deliver groceries. They drop them off on the porch to eliminate contact. They also sanitize bags and boxes once they're dropped off.