UWS Building Amenities Shift To 'Buddy Shopping' Amid Coronavirus

UPPER WEST SIDE, MANHATTAN — A luxury building on the Upper West Side is using time typically spent scheduling programs in its 35,000 square feet of amenity space to match up older residents with neighbors who may be able to help them during the coronavirus pandemic.

One West End, found between West 59th and 60th streets, has set up a "Buddy Shopper" program so that residents can run errands for their older neighbors who might not be able to do so themselves as they stay inside to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The program, put in place by Lifestyle Director Rachel Lerch, not only lets residents get the necessities during the pandemic, but know that they have not been not forgotten by their neighbors and building staff, Lerch says.

"There has been an enormous amount of individuals who have expressed their gratitude for us putting the program in place as it is reassuring families that their loved ones will not go unnoticed, and also invigorates an already rich sense of community within the building," Lerch told Patch.

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The shopping program asks residents who need help or those who are able to run errands to sign up with the building's lifestyle team, who then matches neighbors together based on their schedules and needs, Lerch said.

Supplies, groceries and pharmacy items are dropped off at the front desk to maintain social-distancing and for privacy.

Lerch said only a handful of older residents have taken advantage of it so far, but that a "tremendous number" of residents have volunteered to help out. The building will keep the program running as long as there is a need.

"Buddy Shopping" is one of several ways Lerch says her job has changed since the coronavirus pandemic.

The building — which has a rooftop garden, chef's kitchen, fitness center and indoor pool — has had to go virtual with its amenities, including Zoom sessions for trainers and residents and weekly online Puppet Shows streamed to condo living rooms.

"One West End’s Lifestyle Team is fully prepared to continue to find creative ways to engage with our community," Lerch said. "We are here for the small stuff, but we are also here to make residents smile and to continuously enrich deeper connections even if we are challenged to do so virtually."

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