Charity helps elderly in Rome with deliveries

(9 Mar 2020) Volunteers from St. Egidio, a Catholic charity in Rome that runs a programme in support of the elderly, have been extra busy as people are advised to stay indoors due to the spread of the new coronavirus.
Since the lockdown, volunteer Anna Wiernasz's job has become extremely important for about 3,000 elderly people in the city.
On Monday, a small bottle of milk will make all the difference for 88-year-old Lamberto Paolucci. He doesn't see his children much, but has full trust in the system support built by St. Egidio and its volunteers.
"Elderly people often ask us to do big shopping for them, so they don't have to leave the house," said Wiernasz. "So far, we have contacted 3,000 people over the phone, and we are receiving many requests." she said.
Back in the office, "Viva gli Anziani" (Long Live the Elderly), programme director Nadia Accarino coordinates the operations. There are phone calls to make, letters to send, and new trips to do around the neighbourhood.
"In these days of coronavirus emergency, we are attempting to call all of the elderly people (in our contact list), asking them if they need help, reminding them that they must not leave their homes," said Accarino. "If they need their food or medicines delivered, we help them and support them in everything they need, especially those who are the most lonely and vulnerable."
The St. Egidio home delivery service is free of charge. Food and supplies are delivered at home, always keeping the one-meter compulsory safety distance. The only point of risk is the moment of exchanging money, as many of the elderly are unable to use a credit card, or make a pre-paid order online.
Italy has so far counted 7,375 cases of COVID-19 virus and 366 deaths, more than any country outside of Asia.

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