Joseph Hunt just wants to help others. During the COVID-19 outbreak, he has been collecting money and donations, buying food and cleaning supplies, and making deliveries across town to anyone who needs some help.
So he started a project called Share to Save Owensboro.
“I went into the grocery store one day — I thought this is not that serious, it will blow over, no big deal,” Hunt said. “But every single aisle was empty of toilet paper and there were two expensive sanitizing spray bottles for $14. That might not sound like a lot of money but with people being laid off, this is just crazy.”
He then turned to Facebook and announced he would be taking up surplus donations to give away to the vulnerable residents — the elderly, those out of work, people living in the housing authority and people that might quickly spread the contagion.
Hunt said people started donating money, so he went out and bought more supplies.
“I made sanitizing spray with concentrate at Sam’s Club for $7 and $1 spray bottles,” he said.
At one point, Hunt had almost $800 and he went to all the Dollar Stores around town to buy laundry detergent, sponges, dish soap, disinfectant, Fabuloso, wipes and more cleaning essentials. He then delivered them to nursing homes and to others who requested the products.
Hunt teamed up with some of the workers from the H.L. Neblett Community Center to hand out some of the supplies. He is also looking to expand and get some more volunteers to help with buying supplies and making drop-offs.
Hunt said he has never had to worry about bills, so for him to see people who had nothing was very emotional.
“These people were suffering before all this and it’s just been made worse,” he said. “The outpouring of generosity is amazing. Even people who are rubbing pennies together to make ends meet, they were adamant about giving a donation. I had a lady dump her change purse into my container. They are suffering but they are still wanting to give, too.”
Hunt said to make a donation or to help him with volunteering text 270-220-7180.
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