A boots on the ground worker steps up his service

Anthoni McMorris distributes food to vulnerable community members in partnership with Gethsemane and New Salem churches. Photo courtesy of the author

By Anthoni McMorris Contributor

Before COVID-19, I was involved with my community.  Now that the pandemic is here, I have found myself even more actively involved, making hygiene bags and packaging and delivering food for both New Salem Baptist Church and Gethsemane Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis. 

Being on the frontlines has showed me what true empathy calls for. It’s about more than just imagining myself in someone else’s shoes. I’m walking the same walk, taking the same journey, and taking their struggles on as my own. I am sharing their pain and making sure we are one and no one is alone.

I have been working with A Mother’s Love, a boots-on-the-ground group that supports the community, for over a year. I've done all sorts of outreach work: connecting people with jobs, education, treatment, housing and other programming.  

Now, it’s all about food. Being able to provide something for the people has been very humbling. Delivering food to the elderly and other community members has been both challenging and rewarding. Seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they get their food brings me joy and gratitude. COVID-19 has only made me work harder and become more determined to get things done. I am very careful and cautious about my health, however, being there for others who can't do much in these conditions by themselves gets me out and about to help and serve my community.  

Unfortunately, amidst the empathy, I have noticed a few things that we as a community could do better, like being more mindful and considerate of others health and well-being. Covering your cough is very important. It helps prevent spreading the virus. Washing your hands and practicing personal hygiene are great ways of flattening the curve and slowing the spread. I've witnessed individuals forgetting to cover their mouths and practice social distancing. I myself have a hard time adjusting to the new way of life, but these are important things we must do to overcome this pandemic. 

We could also be more forgiving and understanding toward one another as opposed to pointing out each other’s faults and mishaps. This is a time where we should come together to strengthen and enlighten each other, not tear each other down or play the blame game. using racial slurs or being judgmentmental toward each other. Saying hateful or hurtful things about the different practices of cultures. We must still respect and love one another no matter what is happening. We are all human. 

This is the first time I, and all of us, have experienced something like this. It’s hard for me to cope and adjust to our new way of life. However, I still must treat others the way I would like to be treated. Strength comes from within. I also have faith that my higher power will be there for me. I know that my life is still valuable and purposeful. There isn't a hurdle that we can't jump or any obstacle that we can't overcome. The community, my friends, family and coworkers inspires me to continue to be alive and do good work. Everyone else that's on the frontline such as nurses, warehouse workers, bus drivers, and officials also inspires me to keep pushing through. 

Overall, I see us as a community pulling together and making things work despite what we are going through. And that alone fuels me to continue the ground work and put forth effort to bring smiles on the faces of my peers, neighbors, friends and family. 

I will do whatever it takes to make a difference in a positive way.