Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Student pharmacist steps up to help community

Submitted

Fri, May 22nd 2020 03:05 pm

Pandemic-fueled “panic-buying” left store shelves lacking personal care items in late March. This effect carried over to nonprofits, including Pinnacle Community Services. Pinnacle’s supporters have a history of providing many of these necessities, but donations were depleted at the onset of the pandemic.

“While access to basic resources prior to COVID-19 was already a significant challenge for those we serve, the pandemic has intensified this scarcity. Our community members are finding it more difficult to be able to purchase basic necessities in their own local markets, due to lack of replenishments and/or high demand. Many do not have the transportation to obtain scarce items from outside their neighborhoods,” said Kelley Swann, chief operations officer.

Pinnacle asked for assistance in collecting these items, and Jacey Petrus, a student pharmacist at Rite Aid, answered the call.

“I've always wanted to help out in my community, and basic needs for those in our community do not stop during a pandemic. So, I posted to my Facebook asking my friends for personal care items they were looking to get rid of and was overwhelmed by the response! I really loved Pinnacle’s mission statement and values and thought they would be a perfect organization to donate to. I am so thankful to be able to help out those who need it most during these times, and I am beyond grateful and proud of my family and friends for stepping up.”

After a month, Petrus presented Pinnacle Community Services with approximately 150 personal care items to benefit those in the community.

As a KidsCents charity, Pinnacle Community Services has an existing relationship with Rite Aid. Shoppers can elect to round up their purchases, via their wellness+ rewards card, to benefit the agency throughout the year.

A press release said, “When an individual employee, such as Petrus, takes the initiative to work toward meeting the needs of the community, it deserves noticing.”

For more information on how to help fulfill Pinnacle’s mission, visit www.PinnacleCS.org.

Hometown News

View All News