These Holmdel Teens Do Your Pandemic Grocery Shopping, For Free

HOLMDEL, NJ — Play video games. Watch TV. Sign into online classes. Complain to Mom and Dad.

That may be the way lots of teenagers across America have spent the coronavirus quarantine — but not these Holmdel kids.

Since the pandemic began, 17-year-old Omar Abuattieh and his friends have been busy non-stop running errands for local residents who cannot leave their homes. They buy the groceries themselves, drop them off at residents' doorsteps free of charge and are reimbursed by either cash or Venmo.

"A lot has been said about the coronavirus, but not a lot was said about possible solutions," said Abuattieh, a senior at Holmdel High School. "It occurred to me that many of the elderly or immunocompromised might not have a family network who would be able to support them during this time."

He created this website, called "Omar's Neighborhood," which asks residents to fill out which food and household items they need.

He posted on Facebook, and word of his delivery service quickly spread throughout Holmdel and the surrounding towns. Soon, Abuattieh had so many requests coming in that he had to ask his friends to help him do the shopping and deliveries. The other students who do it are Eric Hinds, Daniel Briskin and Anya Nasar, all seniors at Holmdel High, plus Sophia Littman, a senior at Shore Regional, and Torre Avitabile, a freshman at Seton Hall.

The team has carried out more than 250 orders since they launched on March 31, said Omar.

"We've picked up items from the Vitamin Shoppe, the pharmacy, pet food, but we primarily shop for and deliver groceries," he said. He has a Costco membership, and warns shoppers that he and his team no longer go to Trader Joe's, as the lines were too long.

"My favorite purchases are the ones with snacks and comfort foods because I like to know I'm providing people with things that will make them happy," said Abuattieh.

In fact, it was a fellow Holmdel resident who nominated Omar and his friends when Patch did a call-out last week for unsung local heroes.

"In my opinion, Omar deserves to be recognized for his initiative, for all he is doing with his classmates, for our town and surrounding community," said the Patch reader.

Omar said the idea to help just came naturally to him.

"I just felt it was my responsibility to provide for a community that provides for me," said the local teen. "It is simply me doing my part."

If only these teens were 21 and could make a stop at the wine store!