Paper Heart Concierge and Sierra Madre Helping Hand

In These Tough Times, Many are Turning to Meghan Malooly ‘10 for a Helping Hand

The 2010 edition of the Troubadour yearbook lists Meghan Malooly as the alumna “Most Likely to Lend a Helping Hand.” My goodness, did her classmates obviously know her well! What a supremely fitting prediction that Meghan has since transformed from a ‘likely’ possibility to a proud reality. Though she’s no stranger to supporting her local community, Meghan has found a unique way to offer her care and talents now that they’re needed most. While the current circumstances continue to present challenges to so many, and as everyone tries to adjust to the [temporary, God-willing] ‘new normal,’ Malooly ‘10 is embracing this opportunity to shine a light into the darkness. She has found a meaningful way to remind our city of Sierra Madre that we are, truly, in this together - as neighbors, as friends, as people.

We caught up with Meghan to learn more about her new business, booming community service project, and the inspiration behind her efforts to lend a helping hand...

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SM: Your name is a well-known one in Sierra Madre these days. Can you please tell me about Paper Heart Concierge Services and The Sierra Madre Helping Hand?

MM: Paper Heart Concierge Services is a business I started during quarantine. It used to be Meghan’s Pet-Sitting and More; but once quarantine orders went into place, no one needed a pet-sitter or babysitter (since everyone was staying home), so I adapted and rebranded. I now offer an array of services geared towards making sure our clients are happy. We do just about everything, including: pet-sit, babysit, run errands, event/wedding plan and grocery shop. I’ve even driven to Pomona to pick up a lizard for a client! I’m very blessed to have amazing clients that make all the hard work worth it; I strive to make sure they’re happy, and can customize our services to ensure they get what they need. I’m currently in the process of teaming up with a PR firm to help generate more business.

On top of running my business, I also run The Sierra Madre Helping Hand, which I started in order to support the Sierra Madre community. We help people that live, work (including those laid off because of Covid) or grew up in Sierra Madre. It’s basically an organization that’s here to help those in need. In the last 6 months we have raised over $8,000.00 to help with community members’ bills and groceries. We’ve probably had two or three times that amount donated in food! Every week, I get boxes and bags of food dropped off, as we are currently providing groceries for eight families (four to six people in each household, ranging from one year old to adults) weekly. We also take different kinds of donations if there is a need. We’ve collected kids’ clothing, games, diapers, toys, etc. I always tell the families to let me know if there’s something specific they need, whether it be food or other essential items, and I’ll do my best to get it for them. We aim to provide fresh produce every other week, and purchase it from Fit Bar Superfood Café in town. The owner, Maddie, has been incredible during this time and sells us the produce at cost. She’s also set up a craft station in front of her store for anyone who would like to make a card to donate to assisted living homes or firefighters/first responders of the Bobcat Fire. She donates a percentage of Fit Bars’ earnings on Saturdays to Helping Hand every week. She has been an absolute gem, allowing people to drop off nonperishable items at her store!

I also try to promote community togetherness through fun events, both virtual and inperson. One of my favorite activities is “Secret Santa Flowers” - we get flowers (that were going to be thrown away) donated, and I have people send me a name and address in town where I can drop off the flowers to brighten someone’s day. As the holidays are coming up, we’re brainstorming ideas to make this time special for the families we help. A few community members have already “adopted” families for Christmas (meaning they’ll provide some gifts and food to ensure these families have a blessed and happy holiday). We’re constantly thinking of new programs and ideas to bring the community together and help our families in need!

One of the biggest hurdles I’ve faced is trying to become a non-profit. Right now we are just an organization and because of that, large stores and corporations cannot donate food or money to us. I’ve reached out to non-profit lawyers and was told I could either a) assemble a board of directors and create bylaws, or b) find an existing non-profit that would be willing to bring us in under their umbrella status. Sierra Madre has donated so much to Helping Hand and the town always comes through, but I don’t want people to feel like they have to keep donating if they aren’t able to anymore.

You were recently featured on ABC 7 News, correct? Tell me about that experience.

Yes, I was contacted by a reporter who wanted to do a short story on The Helping Hand. Since Fit Bar has been such a great help through all of this, it was a no-brainer to ask that Maddie be interviewed as well! Not going to lie, I was absolutely terrified talking on camera! I’m a very loud, exuberant person and when I’m nervous, that gets amped up even more! But the reporter and cameraman were so nice and encouraging and I really wanted to do it to help our families. It was completely out of my comfort zone and not something I had ever planned on doing, but I will do whatever it takes to get these families what they need. I feel responsible and connected to them and I will do this for as long as I can. It was definitely surreal to see myself on the news and we’re all our own worst critics, but I was very touched to have been interviewed and for the exposure for Helping Hand. Pasadena Now will be printing an article about the Helping Hand soon, as well.

You’re doing so much to give back to the community of Sierra Madre - what inspires your giving spirit?

I’ve always had a passion for taking care of people and making them happy. Not to sound corny, but it was through Alverno that I developed a love for community service. That carried on through college and into my everyday life. I joined a community service sorority (Omega Zeta Chi) and loved giving back with my sisters. When the pandemic hit, I started grocery shopping for people that were considered high-risk for catching the virus. As the situation progressed, I was approached by a woman who wanted to donate groceries to a family in need. After asking around, The Helping Hand was born! It has been an amazing experience to see the town come together to help each other. Every time I put out the ‘bat signal’ that we needed food or money for bills, they always answered! All my life, I’ve wanted to work for a non-profit, so I’m in awe that I’m currently running one! (Well, sort-of, though not officially...Yet a)

2020 has been a remarkably tough year for everyone, and we’re all feeling the pressure given the current state of the world. How do you deal with everything going on, how do you stay sane? How have you remained in touch with friends and people close to you?

2020 will never be forgotten - it took a hold of us and said “NOT TODAY!” (to everyone about everything). I would not be surprised to wake up and see a zombie walking down the street, because it feels like in 2020, anything can happen! Jokes aside, it has been difficult for everyone. My dad was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder right after the quarantine came down, so that definitely made things more complicated and scary. To reduce exposure, I stay six feet away and never touch him since I still go out into the world. Covid has been a strain on everyone physically, mentally, and financially; but seeing the giving spirit in the people of Sierra Madre has been a bright light in this dark time. I’m so busy with Paper Heart and Helping Hand that these projects keep me sane and help me from going stir crazy. Throwing myself into this work has felt extremely rewarding. And I already considered myself a Netflix guru before, but now I am a straight-up pro! *laughs* The funny thing about all of this is that I have quite a few friends whom I’ve gotten much closer to than before. I’ve had virtual movie nights with friends, where we watch the same movie and constantly text or call one another throughout. My parents sometimes have a virtual happy hour with their friends. I feel like Covid has definitely changed the way we do certain things and that some of these new realities are here to stay.

What advice would you give our current students dealing with remote learning and not being able to attend Alverno in the traditional sense, on campus? What advice would you give our youngest and newest alumnae who are dealing with similar obstacles attending college virtually, searching for jobs in this market, etc?

To all of the students who are now having to learn from home, I’ll tell you what I tell the brides I work with: “This might not be how you imagined it would be, but just because it’s different doesn’t make it bad.” I’m all about ‘the new normal’ because it constantly changes. Although you can’t physically be on campus or with your friends, you can find virtual ways to connect (e.g. have club meetings over Zoom). One thing I’ve learned that has helped with both Paper Heart and Helping Hand is that if I want or need something - and I can’t find a way to get it - I have to create a way. I started Helping Hand because I wanted to support those I considered to be part of our community, but who didn’t qualify for help from other relief organizations. There’s always something you can do; even if you don’t reach your goal in the end, you can know that you did everything in your power to try to get there. Learning at home has to be distracting and difficult, but you can do it! Through FaceTime, Zoom, Skype and all of the apps that allow us to see each other in real time, you can still meet and bond with your new class. Hopefully Alverno can also set up virtual meet-and-greets where you can do fun activities together, but safely from your home.

What lessons did you learn at Alverno that are proving especially helpful now?

Alverno taught me to be myself. I know that sounds cliché but truly, Alverno allowed me to be my loud, super enthusiastic self. It’s because of Alverno that I joined a community service sorority and met friends for life! It’s because of Alverno that I felt comfortable starting an organization in the middle of a pandemic. I realized the other day, after “throwback” photos were posted on the Alumnae Facebook page, that my Senior Superlative was “Most likely to lend a helping hand.” Alverno knew, even before I did, where my destiny would take me! *laughs*

What can your fellow alumnae (and/or Sierra Madreans) do to help support your efforts?

I am always looking for volunteers to run deliveries once a week. We have three families we deliver to, and any help with drop-offs would be so appreciated. We also constantly need food, so perhaps an alumnae food drive could help bring in much-needed essential items! The biggest thing I need help with is trying to become an official non-profit so that I can get my families what they need (without stressing every week about whether we’re going to have enough food). If any fellow alumnae have information or can assist with this process, please connect with me!