'Zoomers to Boomers': US teens learn from COVID-19 crisis volunteer work

A group of teens in the Los Angeles area are paying it forward during the COVID-19 pandemic, making grocery runs for seniors - and learning some life lessons along the way. | Mira Kwon (C) and her friend/partner Betsy Bass (R), 17, shop for groceries at the Framers Market on 3rd in Los Angeles, California.

"This experience has been really great," said 16-year-old Mira Kwon as she did a recent supermarket run. "In many ways, it has taught me a lot."

Kwon volunteers with "Zoomers to Boomers" - a service that originated in California in the wake of the virus outbreak, which prompted stay-at-home orders throughout the United States.

The service has now spread to more than a dozen cities across the country. | Mira Kwon and Betsy Bass delivers groceries in Los Angeles, California.

Kwon now heads a team of about 40 students whose academic year was abruptly upended because of the pandemic and who were forced to pursue their high school studies online.

The idea behind the service is simple: elderly people (Baby Boomers) or those who are immunocompromised submit a list to association members (Generation Z) who then do the shopping and deliver the groceries.

"I was very intimidated at first because ... it required me to cold call a bunch of businesses," said Kwon, who heads the service's LA chapter in Koreatown.

"I hadn't really done that before and I was worried that I would be rejected."

The teen said although many businesses did not want to partner with the delivery service, she finally found several stores that were interested.

A group of teens in the Los Angeles area are paying it forward during the COVID-19 pandemic, making grocery runs for seniors - and learning some life lessons along the way.

Apart from the satisfaction gained from helping those in need, Kwon said the initiative has helped her build confidence and connect with people.