Neighbors Driving Neighbors is back on the road again

PHOTO: Neighbors Driving Neighbors cars have been outfitted with plastic barriers to protect the health of riders and drivers, and masks will be provided. (Submitted photo)

MOUNT VERNON — What does a nonprofit in Maine like Neighbors Driving Neighbors do when its mission is to provide free rides to people who don’t drive in the five towns it serves and the coronavirus arrives?
Since 2015, NDN has provided transportation in Belgrade, Fayette, Mount Vernon, Rome and Vienna using a cadre of volunteer drivers. In March, NDN had to rethink its approach and find a way to keep both drivers and riders safe. The organization still wanted to help, so it offered to pick up medicine and groceries for the riders.
As time went on, the virus began to be minimized by the efforts of most Mainers to follow the medical guidelines to keep the virus from making residents, and some sick enough to lose their lives.
NDN recently returned to driving riders to medical appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores and other stores that require masks. A plastic barrier is installed in drivers’ cars to separate the front seat from the back seat and drivers wear a face mask and clean the inside of their cars before and after each ride.
Riders will be asked to respond to some screening questions about their health, to wear a mask (provided) and to follow other safety measures. This is in addition to NDN’s existing service of pickup and delivery of prepaid orders for food and medicine.
NDN is glad to be back on the road again!
For more information about Neighbors Driving Neighbors, or to become a rider or driver, visit www.neighborsdrivingneighbors.org or call 207-860-0677.