The COVID-19 pandemic has been very difficult for many people around the world over the last few months. The situation has been the worst for the US in the last two months of that time. We are grateful to God for all of our service workers – police, firefighters, medical workers, our military, and other public servants – whom we support and thank for their service.

There is another group of equally important people who have also done their part and deserve a round of applause – private business people. As COVID-19 has spread across our country, many small businesses have taken steps to protect the public by closing their doors. Many restaurants have closed or moved solely to take- out or delivery, in order to minimize gatherings of customers. Stores like Walmart, Meijer, and other similar retail outlets, have stayed open, ensuring that our necessities are still available while continuing to provide jobs.

These retailers in particular have worked very hard to ensure that as many products as possible are available to their customers as often as possible. Managers, stock clerks, cashiers, sanitation workers, and other retail employees have worked long, difficult hours, courageously managing huge numbers of customers daily. While demand for essential products has shot up, retail workers have managed to keep products like toilet paper and sanitation supplies circulating the best they can. Shelves are stocked regularly, checkout lines run smoothly, social distancing is encouraged, and cleaning and sanitation are huge priorities for store staff. Store hours have been adjusted, in some places, so that the more vulnerable can have first access to groceries.

We thank God for the clerks, cashiers, managers, and many others who are keeping the Fruitport area, and the rest of the country, supplied with goods during the pandemic. And thank you for all the hard work and sacrifices you’ve made to keep your customers happy and healthy.

by Kate and Calvin Holtrop: Published in the Fruitport Area News, 2020, May Issue, page 40