A Comox teen has initiated a delivery service business to help people during these unsettling times of the coronavirus pandemic.
Will Thompson, a 17-year-old Grade 12 student at Highland Secondary, is picking up and delivering takeout food to residents, free of charge. His service area extends south to Royston and north to Black Creek.
To enlist his service, patrons place an order at a restaurant or cafe, then etransfer the total to him. Wearing gloves, he then picks up and delivers the food to a resident’s doorstep.
“I want to try and help out the community more than anything,” said Will, who calls his car Jennifer, as suggested by his mother. “Everybody so far has found it very beneficial to them. It’s got a super fast turnaround, which is good for the customer.”
On April 19, a customer placed an order at 2:45 p.m. The food was cooked, ready and at their house by 3:30 p.m.
If Will receives any tips, 50 per cent of the proceeds are donated to the Comox Valley Food Bank. On one of his first deliveries, he was handed a $30 tip, half of which went into his gas tank.
In just a week-and-a-half, he has raised about $600 for the food bank.
“It’s nice to get out of the house,” said Will, who has been self-isolating for several weeks. “It’s part of my whole high school experience in a way. Progressing back into the real world. It helps me in the bigger world by helping out the community.”
Will has been inspired by his father, Dr. Adam Thompson, who is the COVID physician lead for the Comox Valley.
“That’s where I got my motive from. He’s been working 14- to 16-hour days, trying to make sure everything is good. I felt like I had a purpose to help out in the community, too.”
Contact Will at (250) 218-2241.
His Facebook page is Will’s Free Takeout Delivery.