Leelanau Essentials—the workers who keep us safe during the pandemic. Meet cashier Sarah Allis
From staff reports
They are doctors, nurses and healthcare workers. They stock the shelves, slice the deli meat, and run the registers at grocery stores, they deliver your meals curbside, delicately pinching the paper bag between gloved fingers. They are the EMS first responders, the firemen and the cops. They are the distilleries that turn spirit byproduct into hand sanitizer. They drive semi trucks and delivery trucks and bring packages and food. They are postal workers. They run the food banks and the church pantries. They keep the school cafeterias open to make sure the needy families get breakfasts and lunch. They pick up our recycling and our garbage. They watch our children, and they care for our elderly. They are the farmworkers—both with and without documents—who harvest our crops.
Even as our community and our society shut down and we stay home to socially distance ourselves, these essential workers of Leelanau County show up every day and walk to the front lines to fight for us in this world war against a murderous pandemic. Let us honor our Leelanau Essentials.
Sarah Allis, 40, cashier, Leland Mercantile
What does my job mean to me?
I’ve worked here for over 13 years, so this Leland community has become like family to me. It’s just about helping the community and the people in it. It is my job but it also makes me a little proud that I can help, even just a little.
What does it mean to the community?
I think it means a lot. Not a day goes by that I don’t get thanked over and over. Customers come and pick up curbside orders and talk for a bit. It keeps up good morale to be able to talk even if it’s 6 feet apart (or more). Overall customers have been amazing and positive.
How has my life changed during the pandemic?
I’m one of the few that hasn’t had a big change. My husband, an auto technician, and I are both still working. We don’t have children to find care for. It’s just a bit more stressful. I go through a range of emotions every day. I am thankful that financially I should be fine. I’m just doing my best as we all are here at the Merc. … I also wanna give a shoutout to my coworkers and boss, Joe Burda. We’ve been working really well together and kicking butt every day!
Dear readers—who would you like to nominate for our Leelanau Essentials profile series? Do they have a compelling story they’re willing to share? Have they proven themselves essential to the community in recent weeks? Can they send us a photo of themselves and answer the following questions: What does my job mean to me? What does it mean to the community? How has my life changed during the coronavirus? Send submissions to editorial@GlenArborSun.com.
