People helping people: Kalamazoo man creates website to help people in need
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A Kalamazoo man is going above and beyond to help people receive groceries and other essential items during the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, crisis.
Dan Betke likes to use technology to solve problems, and right now there is no bigger problem than COVID-19.
"I walked into a restaurant to get takeout, and I thought there is probably gonna be a lot of people in the coming weeks who are wondering how they are gonna get all the things they need" Betke said.
So the Betke, who works as an internet marketing and e-commerce manager for a local lawn and power equipment company, sat down last week and created helpkalamazoo.com, a website is designed to help people get essential items such as groceries delivered to their door.
"There's a lot of people in the next few weeks who will be really struggling. If more get sick, we are gonna have to band together. I put the site together as a way for us to connect people in need, with people who are willing to help," Betke said.
Amanda Betke said her husband's new website brought tears to her eyes.
"It shows how big of a heart he has, and what type of person he is, and how caring he is," Amanda Betke said.
Once on the site, users can simply choose whether they need a delivery, or want to help deliver.
People who need deliveries can pay for the items ahead of time, reimburse the volunteer when they arrive, or ask for help paying for the items.
Volunteers will, if they choose, receive a notification every time a request for help is made.
Betke predicted the website would continue to grow as the virus gets worse.
"I think you are gonna find a situation where there's gonna be more people that need help," he said, "and potentially less people who can give it."
---
There are a lot of folks stepping up in this time of crisis, and we really want to tell their stories. Please send your story ideas to apepper@sbgtv.com or send him a message on Twitter or Facebook.
