When COVID-19 left many quarantined at home, Peyton LaFrenz felt moved to help those in need, and what started as a small gesture turned into a volunteer organization helping dozens of people across Minnesota.
“When COVID became serious for us, I have grandparents that live out of state, and our biggest worry was ‘How are they going to shop?’ How great would it be if there was a service. I decided we could do our part and create one here.”
LaFrenz created
Grocery Gatherers along with several high school friends to help the elderly community and those who are at high risk by taking grocery orders over the phone, shopping for the groceries and delivering them in a safe way.
“A lot of time you’ll call to get their grocery list and you’ll talk to them for a half an hour about your horses or the breed of your dog,” she said. “That connection has been really cool and really rewarding.”
LaFrenz has been riding for around eight years, splitting her time between Harvest Hill Farm and Dandelion Farm. She also serves as president of the Minnesota Hunter Jumper Association Junior Board. She’s participated in the Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and loves the horsemanship aspect of the sport.
“I’m not showing much this year but my goal is to move up past the low children’s," she said. "I groom at a lot of shows and help out. I find just as much joy doing that stuff as I do flying around a course.”
Read more about Peyton LaFrenz and Grocery Gatherers in an upcoming issue of USHJA In Stride.
LaFrenz is pictured far right. Photo provided.
