Stonington — An organization founded by a retired foreign service officer last spring continues to deliver groceries, medicine, books and pet supplies free of charge to Stonington and North Stonington residents who want to limit their potential exposure to COVID-19.

Peter Perenyi, of the borough, said close to 100 volunteers have been involved with Stonington Helps Area Residents in Emergency, or S.H.A.R.E., which also distributed more than 1,000 masks early on in the pandemic when they were in short supply and then held a mask contest to build interest in mask-wearing by children. 

S.H.A.R.E matches healthy adults under 60 with residents who are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 or are otherwise impacted by the coronavirus in Stonington, North Stonington and Mystic. The volunteer then picks up and delivers items the person has ordered. The delivery service is free and the volunteer leaves the items outside the person's house. Volunteers also can be asked to check on someone every few days or even deliver a restaurant meal.

Perenyi said that at the beginning of the pandemic he began thinking about what the community would need during the crisis.

"It seemed to me that people vulnerable to the virus should not be out shopping," he said, adding he had seen information about a group in California that had offered free delivery services for those who would be in greater danger if they contracted the virus. 

Perenyi said the group is making deliveries to 25 people and has the volunteer capacity to serve more. He said the volunteers include doctors, nurses, teachers and others who enjoy helping people.

He said some people are reluctant to ask someone to deliver supplies to them because going out to shop is a rare opportunity for them to get out of the house and see friends. "It's the last thing they want to give up," he said.

Perenyi said he understands but tells people that by staying out of the stores, "they are doing a public service and helping the community as much as the people helping you."

He said people using the service so far are mostly elderly, don't have transportation or have a specific health issue that puts them at risk. He said the volunteer group has even helped a family, all of whom had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Perenyi said S.H.A.R.E. also can offer a break for families who have been delivering items to relatives or friends throughout the pandemic, which can be stressful for them. The group also can help families that may have to quarantine. 

He said creating and running the organization has been challenging but he's had the help of many volunteers.

"I had never put an organization together from the ground up," he said.

As for why he decided to start the group, Perenyi said he had just been thinking about what he could do to help during the pandemic.

He said he has been impressed by how easy it has been to get volunteers and how people really want to help. "It speaks well for our community," he said.

With COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations still increasing across the country, Perenyi said "this is the time for people to stay at home and let us help them."

S.H.A.R.E. can be contacted at stoningtonhelps@gmail.com, by phone at (800) 827-4158 or on its website, www.stoningtonhelps.com.

j.wojtas@theday.com