'Community Box' Helps Washington Heights Neighbors Trade Supplies

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A new "give what you can or take what you need" box set up at Hilltop Pharmacy is helping residents in Washington Heights and Inwood trade supplies during the coronavirus pandemic without coming into contact with one another.

The box, set up by Ava Andranikian and her neighbors, asks those who visit the pharmacy to drop off household items, canned foods or other supplies in the box or take items that others have left behind as a donation.

"It was a simple concept really," Andranikian said. "Some people have extra, some people don’t have enough. How can we make sharing easy and accessible for everyone?"

Andranikian, a local mom and nurse, set up the box at the Fort Washington Avenue pharmacy on Wednesday, along with some instructions and suggestions for donations: dry goods, canned/jarred foods, personal items, household items, and baby items.

She told Patch that the idea came to her a few nights ago as the coronavirus pandemic ramped up panic in the neighborhood.

Throughout New York and the country, the coronavirus pandemic has led shoppers to clear out grocery stores of hand sanitizer, non-perishable food and other goods. New York City entered a state of emergency surrounding the pandemic last week.

"Our stores became overrun with terrified customers, and essential food items and other goods became more difficult to come by," Andranikan said. "It was definitely scary and eye-opening."

New York City's confirmed coronavirus case count reached 1,339 as of Wednesday, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

Andranikan had her neighbor's kids decorate the community box and asked Hilltop Pharmacy, what she called a "central hub" for the neighborhood, if they would put the box there.

"The response I’ve received from my neighbors has been so heart warming," she said. "Several have reached out to tell me that not only will the box help families in need, but that it is a symbol of strength and compassion, and a much needed reminder that we will all get through this together.”