Liene Sorenson needed help with grocery shopping for her and her husband Jim Scherer. As older adults they are staying close to home during the COVD-19 pandemic and were hesitant about continuing to depend on their regular caregiver, himself a senior citizen.  Liene talked with Parish Nurse Pat Gulik about her concerns and “lo and behold,” she says, “that’s how we were introduced to Sadie and Ellie Beck.” 

Pat had told Liene that she had  20 names of people from Grace who were willing to help people during the pandemic and put her in touch with Steve Beck, the girls’ father.  He told Liene, “Just let me know when you need us and give us a list over the phone, and then we’ll go get the groceries.” She phoned with a list, expecting that Steve would be the one doing the shopping. But the groceries were delivered by Steve’s twin daughters, Sadie and Ellie, age 17. 

The girls have been shopping at Pete’s for Liene and Jim. They meet Liene at the door to her condo building. “We just put the food in her basket and she goes back upstairs,” says Ellie. “She’s very grateful for something that’s so simple.” 

“They’re so fast. They find everything. An hour after I call they’re here.” They leave the receipt for the groceries in the bag and Liene mails a check to the Beck family. Ellie did the most recent delivery by herself, Liene says, "with a big smile on her face.” 

Ellie and Sadie are seniors at Oak Park River Forest High School. Besides staying in touch with their friends and reviewing for AP exams coming up in May, they are also writing notes to seniors in retirement homes and in the hospital as a Girl Scout service project during the pandemic. And they’re staying connected to friends at Grace in weekly Zoom Teen Talk sessions on Sunday afternoons.

Do you need assistance with grocery shopping or errands? Pat Gulik can connect you to a volunteer, or help you get a mask, or explore available resources related to physical or mental health or financial difficulties. Call her at 708-366-6900 and leave a message at extension 219.  She will return your call.