Volunteers deliver groceries to local residents facing cancer

For those fighting cancer, living with a compromised immune system and avoiding exposure to COVID-19 makes grocery shopping extremely difficult.

To address the problem, Rochester Hills-based New Day Foundation for Families began enlisting the help of volunteers to shop for and deliver groceries to local families facing cancer. The volunteers always wear masks and gloves to ensure a safe delivery.

One volunteer, Fabienne Potestivo of Addison Township, said that volunteering for the organization has made her feel essential during the pandemic – instead of helpless.

“The grocery delivery program is crucial right now as the pandemic rages on and people are not only in financial distress more than ever but in more danger because of their compromised immune systems,” she said. “New Day gave us volunteers a reason to feel we were doing something to help, even though we were not in the medical field or emergency services.”

Since the grocery program began eight months ago, 250 families have been served, and 17,496 meals have been delivered.

Another volunteer, Juliana Meidl of Oakland Township, has personally benefitted from the New Day Foundation for Families as her husband was diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma and recently had his eye removed.

“We were beyond thankful for all the love and support we received during this time. … Our personal experience only makes me want to support New Day more,” she said.

New Day offers financial and emotional resources to families fighting cancer so they don’t have to choose between medical treatment and providing basic necessities. The organization works with hospitals across the state to reach more patients before they hit critical financial breaking points.

“Families facing cancer have been hit hard during the pandemic,” said Gina Kell Spehn, co- founder and president of New Day Foundation for Families.

“All of us at New Day are addressing both the emotional and financial impact of COVID-19 on our community this year. From loss of income and delayed treatment to food instability and increased risk of contracting the disease, our families are facing more obstacles than ever before. We are so grateful to all of our volunteers for stepping in when we need them.”