Several days ago, as the harsh reality of the coronavirus was setting in and people were rushing to stores for supplies, Houston Eymann saw a news story out of Bend, Oregon, that captured his attention.

An elderly couple had driven to a grocery store and waited in the parking lot for someone who could go into the store and get supplies for them. Both were older than 80, and they were scared of the virus, they told the woman who eventually shopped for them.

Eymann, a Spokane native who’s back home after finishing studies at the University of Oregon, had time on his hands, having lost his restaurant job. He wondered whether there were people in his own world like the couple in the video.

If so, he thought, he could help.

“I thought, ‘Why not stand up and make a process for it, for anyone in my life who feels similar,’ ” Eymann said this week.

He created a form and posted it to his Facebook page, offering to shop for anyone who was housebound, ill, vulnerable or otherwise unable to get out.

“If you are worried about going out shopping in public places because you are at high risk for COVID-19 infection (i.e. elderly, immuno-compromised) I can go in your place!” he wrote.

We asked people to tell us stories of generosity and kindness during the coronavirus crisis, and Eymann’s understandably proud mom let us know about him. Several others responded with tales of giving and selflessness. The need will only intensify in the weeks to come, as the virus spreads and as efforts to limit that spread reverberate through the lives of the young and old, the homeless and shut-in and chronically ill, and those whose economic lives were already tenuous.

But if there’s anything we know about Spokane in times of crisis, it’s that people like Eymann step up.

Eymann, using gloves and sterilized bags, will buy and deliver what people need to their homes, he said. He’s not charging people for the service. He’s shopped for two people thus far – an elderly woman and a family with a history of respiratory problems that is especially susceptible.

Anyone who needs help can fill out this form.

A mountain of TP

Anyone’s who’s been in a store recently has seen the yawningly empty toilet paper shelves. For some of us, it’s not much more than a matter of aggravation and humor – but the panicky overshopping has serious consequences for those who can’t leave their homes.

Last week, as TP shortages came to symbolize the current moment, people at Horizon Credit Union wondered how they could help.

“We were just thinking, ‘Who is the most vulnerable?’ ” said Kathleen Schilb, community relations administrator at HCU.

Several credit union staffers volunteer for Meals on Wheels programs in the Spokane and Colville areas, and program officials told the credit union there was a need among the homebound population. She approached the credit union’s paper-products supplier, the Portland-based Walter E. Nelson Co., and they struck a deal – the credit union bought 12 cases to donate, and the company donated five.

Credit union workers delivered more than 700 rolls to the Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels earlier this week, and another 900 or so to Meals on Wheels programs in Colville, Deer Park and Post Falls, as well as the Mid-City Senior Center, Schilb said.

The rolls will go out with meals being delivered to people in their homes, Meals on Wheels said in a news release.

“So many of our clients are homebound and are seeing images of shortages and hearing about emergency declarations,” said Janet Dixon, director of development for GSC Meals on Wheels, in a news release. “This donation will enable us to give them peace-of-mind as well as the necessities they need to weather this storm.”

Meals on Wheels is adapting to the social-distancing guidelines for drivers and other volunteers, including a “no-contact” option for clients that involves leaving the meal near the door and stepping back, to check on the client from a distance.

As the program adjusts, it needs drivers and kitchen volunteers for daily meal prep and delivery. For more on how you can help, go to GSCMealsonWheels.org or call (509) 924-6976.

Looking to help

Jim McArthur has been a member of the downtown Kiwanis Club for four decades. He’s seen a lot of change in that time, particularly in the decline of club membership – something many similar service organizations have experienced over the years. At one time, the downtown club had about 300 members, and it’s down to about 30, he said.

But one thing hasn’t changed, and that’s the Kiwanis’ mission to help children. McArthur said the club has funds available to help where it’s needed, and wanted to issue a call for people to let them know where the club can help.

You can let the club know about any need in the community at its website, kiwanisdtspokane.org.

A final note

Marilee Roloff, a true hero among local helpers and retired from a 30-year career with Volunteers of America, wrote to say she often sees a young family on her street while she’s walking her dog, Harry.

“The other day I found this note in my mailbox: ‘Dear Maraley, If you need anything we are here to help you and Harry.’ They added their phone numbers.

“Thank you, sweet Dempsey Family!”