Giving Compass' Take:

• In Nevada, a college student launched "Shopping Angels," an initiative where volunteers deliver groceries to individuals who are at higher risk for contracting coronavirus. 

• How can donors support more grassroots organizing initiatives like this one? 

• Learn how to make an impact with these coronavirus funds.

A college student in Nevada, US, is building a network of "shopping angels" who provide free grocery deliveries for elderly people, and those with underlying health conditions who are more vulnerable to the novel coronavirus.

Jayde Powell began by recruiting about 20 of her fellow members of a medical fraternity, but her network of volunteers has expanded dramatically.

"As a pre-med student, I know that people who are older or people who have heart, lung, or immune conditions are especially at risk for contracting the virus," she told CNN.

The organization also works with older adults with budgetary restrictions, and has set up a GoFundMe page that will help cover the cost of supplies.

Powell has been stunned by the number of people who are contacting her wanting to help from across the country.

"I woke up this morning to 20 voicemails and 56 emails. And I've got people in Connecticut, Long Island, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Arizona that want to volunteer," Powell told CNN.

“Shopping Angels” also requires that its shoppers wear gloves and masks during the transportation, pickup, and delivery, and to avoid going into clients’ homes, to minimize the risk of spreading illness.

Slowing the spread of COVID-19 is important for “flattening the curve" of infections, which will curb the outbreak, prevent hospitals from getting overwhelmed with patients seeking treatment, and ultimately reduce the number of deaths.

Read the full article about shopping angels by Brandon Wiggins at Global Citizen.