We are all affected by Covid-19 Epidemic and there are many ways we can help to stop the spread of the disease and help everyone affected. Here is a list of some organizations that can do even more with your support. Think Globally Act Locally!
Just Human Productions
Information is key at this time and getting it from a reliable source that is on the front lines is the best place. Just Human Productions produces great content to keep us informed on the Covid-19 pandemic, infectious diseases, health and social justice.
In your community, what you can do on a personal level…
Support local businesses. Consider buying a gift card to be used later from local stores or restaurants that need to close during the lockdown.
Continue regular payments on services. Even though your cleaning service, or other services that you regularly use cannot come to your home at this time consider continuing to pay them whatever you can afford until they can collect unemployment. Many of these workers are also unaware of how to collect unemployment. There are now pandemic unemployment benefits for contractors.
Waive getting a refund. Defer to later. If you had to cancel and event, vacation or planned travel as a result of the current restrictions consider letting the business keep your credit to be used at a later time. Independent businesses are really struggling if everyone demands a refund.
FOOD
Feeding America
Feeding America is a nationwide organization to keep low-income families supplied with food. Right now, its biggest concern is children whose schools have closed, cutting off a source of healthy, free meals. Feeding America also has a running list of food banks across the country, if you’d like to donate closer to home.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels delivers food to seniors—safely, per CDC guidelines, as older folks are at greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19—and makes sure they’re not left on their own while the country hunkers down. You can donate to the national branch, or call up your local Meals on Wheels provider to see how you can help.
No Kid Hungry
A lot of children rely on school meals. With school closures, those meals are no longer guaranteed. No Kid Hungry sends emergency grants to food banks and helps communicate with families to make sure they can find a hot meal until schools open again.
Homeless Shelters
According to medical researchers, the half-million homeless people in America are at a higher risk of contracting coronavirus, and shelters around the country have been advised by the CDC to conduct screenings. Meaning, the already-stressed shelter system will need more assistance than ever. Look to this directory of homeless shelters to find one near you.
American Red Cross: Give Blood
You can donate blood if you’re healthy and still have access to a blood drive near your home. Red Cross is asking that you schedule a time to donate. There is no evidence that coronavirus can be spread through blood, and Red Cross employees will employ stringent safety precautions.
Local initiatives
Seattle– The Seattle Times put out a great article outlining the various organizations in Seattle.
New York – NYC COVID-19 Response and Impact Fund is providing no-interest loans to New York City nonprofit organizations working in the human services, with particular interest in those supporting essential healthcare, food delivery, homeless services, workforce development, educational support, and early childhood education, and arts and culture, so you can cover your costs while waiting for revenue that has been delayed by the current crisis.
New York City has several food organizations worth noting. Citymeals is taking donations to help older people, and God’s Love We Deliver is looking for both volunteers and donations to sponsor their emergency meal bags for vulnerable people around the city. Invisible Hands is also looking for volunteers to bring vulnerable people necessary supplies.
Other cities and states have their own local organizations — Google your city’s name and “coronavirus volunteering” or “coronavirus donation” to find out what is in your area.
Boston – Covid-19 Response Fund Hosted by the Boston Foundation, The COVID-19 Response Fund will award one-time operating grants on a rolling basis to non-profits whose operations in support of seniors, children, immigrants, workers and other vulnerable populations have been stressed by the outbreak. Cradles to Crayons has set up an emergency essentials fund. The Second Step provides services to survivors and families of domestic violence. Horizon’s for Homeless Children provides resources for homeless children.
Health aid and protection for medical personnel
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a foundation and an emergency response fund, which is basically a catchall for giving to local health departments, global response efforts, protective gear for medical workers and general response.
WHO – Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund
The World Health Organization (WHO) created a fund to support WHO’s work to track and understand the spread of the virus; to ensure patients get the care they need and frontline workers get essential supplies and information; and to accelerate efforts to develop vaccines, tests, and treatments.
Partners in Health provides long-term, dignified care to patients in developing countries. It will use donations to test more than 200,000 people for coronavirus, help international governments coordinate and help local community health workers find the treatment they need.
Direct Relief has made supply deliveries to the United States, China, the Caribbean and South America, specifically to help medical professionals protect themselves from the virus.
