Frontline Heroes: How this Md. woman helps domestic abuse survivors during the pandemic

EDITOR鈥橲 NOTE: During the coronavirus pandemic, there are people throughout the community working on the front lines. 草莓传媒 is honoring essential personnel through its聽Frontline Heroes campaign. Each day, 草莓传媒 chooses two nominees, awards each $100 and donates another $100 to聽, a D.C.-based nonprofit supporting local restaurants, health care workers and first responders during the pandemic. Some of those honorees will be spotlighted on 草莓传媒.com.

During the coronavirus pandemic, there are people throughout the community doing their part on the front lines.

One Maryland woman chosen as a 草莓传媒 Frontline Hero is being honored for her work with helping survivors of domestic abuse during these difficult times.

“I was actually shocked because I’ve never won anything before,” said Seteria Hollinshed, a program manager with , a D.C. area-based shelter and resource center for women and children who have survived domestic abuse.

Part of her job includes getting cleaning supplies and groceries for all 50 women that stay at the shelter. And shopping restrictions have made her adjust.

鈥淚nitially, people probably thought that I was trying to hoard all the supplies for myself,鈥� Hollinshed said.

鈥淥n average, when I go to the store, I’m usually buying about 50 loaves of bread and 7 gallons of milk, and a lot of times, it’s not a problem buying those things. But now we鈥檙e in a pandemic, and there is a limit on what you can buy.鈥�

With new limits on purchasing supplies such as meat, Clorox wipes and toilet paper, she often has to get volunteers to come with her or even ask other shoppers to help her out.

鈥淪o, I spend a lot of time in the stores and, you know, I’m bargaining with people in line, saying, 鈥楬ey, do you mind picking this up for me?鈥欌€� Hollinshed said.

When she is unable to buy enough supplies for the shelter, she said the community has stepped up in a big way.

鈥淲e’ve also had volunteers to step up and provide meals for the ladies. We’ve had the Takoma Park community 鈥� they have been providing regular meals. We have just different volunteers coming through providing things such as hygiene products and cleaning product, a lot of things that you can’t find in the stores,鈥� she said.

Hollinshed鈥檚 husband nominated her as a Frontline Hero, saying she works tirelessly to ensure that the women at the House of Ruth continue to receive quality service.

Know people who would be good candidates for聽草莓传媒鈥檚 Frontline Heroes听补飞补谤诲?听Nominate them online, and their actions could be recognized on-air.

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