Background
As the for COVID-19 pandemic forced most Americans into home quarantine, it became clear that certain crucial resources were not available for the elderly or immunocompromised people. While there were plenty of hot-meal delivery services and indigent meal programs, there was no real option for immunocompromised people to deliver groceries, medication, or other vital supplies.
Simone Policano, a college student at the time, created a Facebook post offering to deliver groceries to elderly and at-risk New Yorkers. Liam Elkind joined the cause, and along with a few friends, they launched a website.
InvisibleHandsDeliver.org quickly became the leading online destination for volunteers interested in delivering groceries, prescription drugs, and other essentials to those unable to shop.
Catalyst
Catalyst Campaigns donated pro-bono assistance to Invisible Hands, helping to secure initial funding and partnerships, and advising the organization on how to increase their capacity.
Catalyst Campaigns provided critical public relations and marketing assistance, secured the group’s fiscal sponsor, and helped to generate early donations. Catalyst Campaigns guided these young organizers in the development of a digital roadmap for success, and even projecting future staffing needs.
Catalyst Campaigns was also able to create brand partnerships between Invisible Hands and various companies willing to donate masks, soap, and other necessities.
Outcome
In the span of fewer than eight months, Invisible Hands grew from a Facebook post offering aide to neighbors in need of delivery services to an organization with over 25,000 volunteers that distributed almost $3,000,000 worth of groceries, prescriptions, and other necessities to at-risk families throughout New York City, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.
Invisible Hands has won several awards in recognition of its work, including the George H.W. Bush Daily Points of Light Award and the Webby Special Achievement Award. Invisible Hands was recognized in Town and Country Magazine as their Top Philanthropists of 2020 alongside Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and others.
