COLORADO SPRINGS — There's no arguing that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed a massive portion of our daily lives.
In the midst of these changes, many local businesses are finding ways to overcome and adapt to keep their doors open, while at the same time, help those around them.
Similarly, businesses hit hard are reporting a tremendous outpouring of support from the community.
This outpouring reminding all of us that while this global epidemic has changed so much, it HASN'T changed people's desire for community.
This is We're Open Colorado, a segment dedicated to highlighting local organizations that are still open and finding unique ways to serve the community.
With all of this in mind, let's take a look at The Neutral Zone community which on Friday pooled resources with Veterans Referring Veterans and Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church to provide 100 free sack lunches to any and all veterans and first responders in the area.
"We have an obligation to say thank you and we have an obligation to serve them in whatever way that looks like," stated Sherry Ferriman, pastor and operator of the Neutral Zone community which is dedicated to serving service members and veterans.
"[What] I hope that their take away from all of this is that they know they have our support with everything, that the community is behind them," commented Justin Clark, founder of Veterans Referring Veterans. "We know that they are out there working these long hours when a lot of people are at home quarantined... and we just want them to know we've got their back no matter where they are."
The groups hosted the sack lunch give away out of Level Up Coffee, owned and operated by Ferriman and her husband.
When the coffee shop opened last year, Sherry and her husband started offering free breakfasts once a month to veterans and service members as a part of their continued support those who have served our country.
Since current restrictions do not allow the business to host their typical breakfast, the sack lunch solution was decided upon.
Sherry hopes to another sack lunch give away in the near future.
If you know of a business that is working to find innovative ways to keep operating while also working to help the community, email us at news@koaa.com.
