Woman who lost 11 family members to COVID is giving away essential items to help others

Shana Jones has lost 11 family members to COVID-19.

In the wake of her grief, she is giving back to her community. Six days a week, you can find dozens of tables set up with hundreds of free items outside her Maplewood, Missouri, home. Canned goods, meat, vegetables, toiletries, bagged lunches, cleaning supplies and pet food are all on offer. Jones purchased many of the items with her own money, and some are donations.

“Born and raised in Georgia. I have family members who have died,” Jones told Fox 2 in St. Louis in April. “It’s hard, I cannot go down there to see my family right now. I’m doing this to take it off my mind.”

Jones has lupus, high blood pressure and diabetes, putting her at high risk for complications if she contracts the coronavirus. While staying at home as much as possible to reduce her risk of catching the virus, organizing her giveaway tables is her way of helping people out who are dealing with job loss, illness and other hardships during this difficult time.

Jones is no stranger to helping others. In 2018, she founded Keep Pushing Inc., a nonprofit organization that connects the homeless population to resources to help them transition back into houses.

Through a GoFundMe account, Jones’ Grab-N-Go Table has now raised $23,290 toward a $25,000 goal to keep the generous project going. An undated update says the project has helped 3,000 families so far.

“No matter how big or bizarre the need may be Shana will do whatever she can to help meet that need,” reads the page’s description. “Her main focus is improving the lives of those around her. When she started putting the table up in her front yard her biggest joy was to see it empty at the end of the day because that meant lots of families had been blessed. Shana wakes up each day with gratitude in her heart and a smile on her face. Her positivity is contagious.”

On Oct. 8, the Grab N Go Table’s Facebook page posted photos of freshly-stocked tables ready to go:

In September, Jones’ minivan was totaled in an accident. In another instance of giving back, her local credit union, West Community Credit Union, gave her a new vehicle. What a great way of showing how much the community appreciates her good works!