One month ago, Caeli Beatty was thinking about when she should begin shopping for prom dresses. Today, she gowns herself in a different type of clothing altogether.

Around 10 AM on weekdays, Beatty carefully covers her hair with a ball cap, dons a face covering, and puts on latex gloves. She is preparing for the recipients of Surrey’s Grab and Go Lunch to arrive.

On March 13, based on the rapid spread of COVID-19, the Devon-based nonprofit decided to temporarily close its senior centers. There was very little time to provide notice for older adults who ate lunch or participated in center activities.

“We wanted to ensure that those who depended on Surrey for nutrition and connection had support,” said Christi Seidel, Surrey’s Chief Operating Officer.

In less than 48 hours, the Grab and Go Lunch program was launched at Surrey’s Devon, Havertown, and Media locations. Surrey ordered additional containers for home-delivered meals, received donations of paper grocery bags, and contacted the older adults who regularly ate lunch at Surrey to let them know about this new option.

Surrey staff members, who prepare and pack the lunches, needed help to ensure the lunch-pickup process went safely and smoothly at Devon, Surrey’s largest location.

Enter Beatty, a senior at Conestoga High School and longtime Surrey volunteer. With a bubbly personality and the ability to multitask, she keeps the car line moving, even as the program has grown to 120 lunches per day. She also provides a hidden benefit, according to Seidel.

“Within a few days, Caeli knew the people picking up lunches by name,” she said. “She chats with them, finds out how they’re doing, and provides a much-needed friendly contact to people who might otherwise be alone and isolated.”

Beatty doesn’t dwell on the activities she is missing at high school.

“I see how important these lunches are for the people who receive them,” she said. “I’m glad to help.”

[lp-contribute]