What can you do to help the individuals and communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? Here are 11 ways you can help during the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus has swept over the globe these last few months! Between social distancing, shelter-at-home orders and WFH – there have been massive changes to our lives. It’s been overwhelming, disrupting, confusing and it’s left me feeling rather helpless. I am sure quite a few of you are feeling the same way.
The United States now has the world’s most reported coronavirus cases with 81,321, according to the New York Times and more than 3 million Americans have lost their jobs as of last week.
I don’t say any of this to scare you, but to give you a realistic view of where we currently are with the pandemic and the impact it’s having on our financial markets, healthcare needs and our most vulnerable in our community.
But there are ways for us to help our communities and local businesses. I want to help and give back to the nurses, doctors, EMT, grocery workers who are on the front lines battling COVID-19. They are currently facing massive shortages of PPE supplies, respirators, and masks.
So you are probably wondering “how am I suppose to help if I can’t leave my house??”
Here a list of resources that allow you to help get involved and give back while continuing to protect yourself and others.
HOW TO HELP VICTIMS OF CORONAVIRUS
This is a response fund created by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) to help provide support for “nonprofit organizations working directly to respond to the pandemic among the most vulnerable populations.” These donations will go to supporting hourly wage earners, workers in the gig economy, immigrant/New American populations, older adults, people with disabilities and vulnerable communities.
This fund works with public health authorities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in China and the U.S.to provide personal protective equipment to people who are working closely with the coronavirus. Their focus is to provide lifesaving medical resources across the globe.
One of the most at-risk communities for COVID-19 is the senior community (60 and older). This non-profit provides meals to the disabled, homebound elderly community, oftentimes who are unable to leave home without assistance. This organization federal funding was recently cut and could use donations as these vulnerable seniors will be more cut off with the shelter-in-place orders across many states.
This is a nonprofit with a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries, donations to its COVID-19 response fund will help food banks across the country support the most vulnerable communities affected by the pandemic.
5. SEATTLE LOCAL – All In Seattle:
The Seattle community came together to launch ALLIN and they have collected $27 million in 5 days! The Seattle job market is supposed to see a 40% job disruption due to the virus and those funds will go to food security, small businesses, housing, and rental assistance.
6. The American Medical Resource Foundation (AMRF)
The AMRF distributes donated medical equipment and supplies to charitable hospitals and medical clinics serving the poor worldwide. AMRF has donated over 200 million dollars worth of medical equipment and supplies to hospitals and clinics in 90 developing countries since 1998.
A nonprofit that audits other charitable organizations for efficiencies has a full list of highly-rated charities that have created funds to support communities around the world affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Please consider supporting one of these trustworthy organizations today: HERE
♦ DONATION TIP: Always vet any charity before you donate. Look them up on Charity Navigator, a free non-profit that evaluates charities and tracks how much of your donations get to the source.
Other Ways To Help Give Back
Donate Blood
The Red Cross is experiencing a severe shortage of blood donations after multiple blood drives were canceled in the wake of COVID-19. You can look to schedule an appointment to donate blood: HERE
Buy From Small Business
Local businesses are going to be hit very hard for the next few months. Do what you can to support the local business around you. Order to-go boxes from your favorite restaurants, buy gift cards to use at a later date, and before you hop on Amazon Prime – consider buying from a local business.
Check-In On Elderly Neighbors
Observing the proper safety precaution, make sure to check in on your older neighbors. You may not be able to go see them in person but leave notes or give them a call. I have an elderly neighbor that lives above me and I always check to see if I can get her anything from the store, which I deliver maintaining a safe distance.
Be Generous with tips/gig workers
Make sure you are going the extra mile to tip any service or gig workers. A lot of these services works are out of jobs or receive a lot less demand with the impact on the market.
As we head into the weekend I hope this post leaves you empowered and ready to start being proactive in helping those on the front lines. My blog will still continue to have the same sort of inspiration, outfit posts, career advice, but I do feel that responsibility to make sure I am addressing real-life, especially monumental impacts like COVID-19.
Thank you for being so supportive through these changing times! And if you need to take time for you – go! Unplug and make sure you are taking care of yourself before helping others! If you need ideas for the weekend – check out my Social Distancing Post!
Stay safe and healthy! Make sure to wash your hands!
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