Caryn Smith and Jennifer Ormond know what it’s like to be struggling financially right now during the coronavirus pandemic.
Smith had to close her Quincy clothing boutique Caryn’s Corner in March and Ormond’s Coffee Break Cafe had to move locations mid-pandemic.
Despite their own hardships, the women knew they wanted to give back. When Smith heard a Quincy food pantry was feeding 500 extra families, she and Ormond decided they would help raise money not only for the pantry but also for first responders and small business owners.
The women came up with South Shore Survival Bags, a stylish tote filled with goodies from local shops.
“I thought, ‘What would I want in a survival bag?’” Ormond told WBZ.
While some items in the bags are essential during a pandemic, like hand sanitizer and a face mask, other items are just essential to feeling normal