An often quoted line from Mister Rogers is “Look for the helpers; you will always find people who are helping.”

The beloved Pittsburgh-based TV personality was referring to a suggestion his mother made to him as a child when he saw scary events in the news.

This applies to several people featured in the Eagle last weekend, some of whom were helpers during a scary time in our nation’s history, while others showed appreciation for heroes who have risen to the challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In one story, two Nebraska EMTs visited an Emlenton truck stop following three weeks in New York City helping first responders with the outbreak.

At the truck stop, a local man told the women he admired what they’d done and suggested a good place to eat — Foxburg’s Allegheny Grille, of which he was co-owner.

The two EMTs — and four other ambulances carrying EMTs — traveled to the restaurant, where they were given a free meal to thank them for their courageous work. The EMTs shared stories with their hosts of working 12-hour shifts, seven days a week.

For one of the restaurant’s owners, the decision to provide the free meal was an easy one — “they’re heroes; it’s just plain and simple,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Ryan Gloyer Middle School math teacher turned her garage into a food bank. Her inspiration came from a student who bought her a meal at a restaurant, and she decided to pay it forward to her community.

After reaching out to teachers, coaches, parents and residents, Tracy Richards has received thousands of dollars in food donations, and made 33 deliveries to families in need.

Richards’ volunteers make deliveries, coordinate food organization and collect donations.

As each week passes and more workers are unemployed as companies cut back during COVID-19, initiatives like Richards’ are essential.

At any given time of year, there are people struggling with hunger or food insecurity in our community — but especially now.

Recent weeks have seen many stories about local people and organizations stepping up to help those in need, from a nonprofit child advocacy center handing out free games to children stuck indoors to a teacher making a socially distanced visit for several hours to an overwhelmed student.

COVID-19 has been a time of great challenges — especially for those with sick or unemployed family members. May this difficult time continue to inspire generosity from helpers in our community.