People in the grocery business are familiar with the doomsday syndrome. It’s what happens when a storm is expected to impact everyday living such as by dumping large amounts of snow or causing power outages.
People rush to the store and buy large quantities of staples thinking they may not be able to make it back to the store for essentials for at least several days. But, what they buy often seems likely to hold them for weeks instead.
In Lawrence, the maintenance crews have done a wonderful job clearing main streets, and preparing in advance of the recent storm that dumped nearly a foot of snow. So while it’s too late to do something in advance for shut-ins and others who couldn’t make it to a store, there is still much that you can do.
- Help shovel snow that was piled behind cars during road plowing
- Offer to run to the grocery or drug store for someone who might not be able to do so
- Keep a shovel and some ice melt or kitty litter in your car to help stranded motorists
- Sprinkle some ice melt or kitty litter on your neighbors’ walkways
- Share some comfort food with neighbors or those who can’t leave home
- Rent a movie and invite others to watch it with you, or loan it
- Keep an extra pair of gloves or hand warmers in the car to give to those in need
- Offer to walk a pet for someone who cannot safely do so
- Give a warm drink to workers who are plowing your driveway or shoveling your walk
- Stop for stranded motorists and assist them as you can (push their cars if safe to do so, or call someone with your cell phone to help them)
- If your mail is delivered at the curb, offer to make the trek for someone who cannot
- Take a picture to share with others unable to go outside (and keep it for reference when the temperature reaches 100 degrees in the summer)
- Once the snow melts and the cars are lined up for the car wash, pay for the person behind you
When you are running your errands or have something special to do, think of those who cannot. What you need - they need. And remember to have fun, too. You’re never too old to build a snowman.
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