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#SendTheLove: Valley man creates Facebook group to help give supplies to those in need

The group is dedicated to helping those who can't get things they need due to unexpected shortages.

PHOENIX — We want you to know there are still plenty of resources available as many businesses and companies either close the doors or experience shortages with supplies.

One East valley man, Zach Sweat, is on a mission to make sure everyone in need has the necessities. His effort to ensure the people in his community have the care products they need is detrimental at a time like this.

"I wanted to put a real emphasis on a need and how can I help," he said.

That helping hand has blossomed into a bigger outreach project than imaginable.

"It's been really amazing to see how people are taking it upon themselves to see what people need or offer what they have," Sweat added.

He says his role is simply acting as the middle man, creating the Facebook group "Basic Needs Donations for High Risk Individuals - Phoenix Metro" for those who can't get the supplies they need because of unexpected shortages at stores.

"It makes sense, they're in self-preservation mode, they're trying to do what they can for themselves and their families so I don't blame anyone for their reaction to what's going on," he added.

However, it's reactions that result in "empty shelf" situations that are hurting those who are at a higher risk and forced trying to go without.

"The posts I was seeing about people going out to the grocery stores, and seeing elderly people crying because they couldn't get basic necessities like toilet paper, it really touched me," Sweat said.

The growing generosity is over-shadowing concerns about the Coronavirus. Sweat says that, no matter how big the need is, it will be met through the kindness of strangers.

"Doing these kinds of things kind of counteracts a lot of the more negative things going on and it really inspires people and gives them purpose and hope," he added.

He says, the majority of items exchanged like toilet paper, diapers and canned goods are donations and hopes kindness is the only thing that continues to spread.

Basic Needs Donations for High Risk Individuals - Phoenix Metro has 837 members. A place to get linked together to help those in need who are high risk...

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