Top 20 Ways to Help During the COVID-19 Crisis

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Now, more than ever, local and global nonprofit organizations need your help during the COVID_19 Coronvirus pandemic.

1. Donate to Your Local Food Bank

Food banks are seriously low in supplies due to panic and hoarding. Not sure where your closet one is? Organizations like Feed America allow you to search for food banks in your area so you can donate food or funds.

2. Students Who Rely on School Lunch Programs

Many students rely on subsidized lunches for their main meal of the day. Please consider reaching out to your local school board and see how you can help.

3. Buy a Local Gift Card

Local businesses are suffering and many will not make it through this crisis. Try reaching out to some in your area to see if they offer gift cards to be used at a later date.

4. Help Local Families in Need

Check with your local churches or community groups to find out who needs help. You can always drop off a basket of much needed items or even cash.

5. Homeless Shelters

Like food banks, local community homeless shelters are also severely short-staffed and food is scare. A food or monetary donation can make a difference.

6. Senior Living Facilities

While most, if not all, senior living facilities are wisely not permitting guests, why not contact one in your area to see if there’s something you can do to lift these seniors spirits while being isolated? You may have a talent you can film or share, or maybe even start a penpal program if it is allowed.

7. Local Animal Shelters

Local animal shelters and rescue groups across the country are reducing services and canceling fundraisers to protect staff but still need to care for their animals. The Humane Society of the United States suggests helping by adopting or fostering a pet, which will reduce the strain on shelters. The Best Friends Animal Society has a site where you can search for partner organizations near you.

8. Sew a Face Mask

While it’s not know how truly effective they are, sewers all over are trying to help by creating their own face masks using instructions from their local sewing shops (like this one in CT). Call your local shop or look online for more information.

9. Give Blood

Due to the cancellation of blood drives, the American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to maintain a sufficient supply. Make an appointment here or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to find a local donation site.

10. CDC Foundation

The CDC Foundation supports the critical health protection work of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is raising emergency response funds to enable the CDC to respond to covid-19. You can donate here.

11. Boys & Girls Clubs of America

The Boys & Girls Clubs traditionally raise funds to provide groceries to kids participating in its more than 2,500 clubs, plus virtual academic support such as digital activities and learning opportunities. You can donate here.

12. Center for Disaster Philanthropy Covid-19 Response Fund

Areas of emphasis include helping health-care workers with purchases of masks, gowns, gloves and other protective equipment; supporting quarantined and vulnerable individuals; and hygiene promotion campaigns to limit the spread of the virus. You can donate here.

13. Direct Relief

Works in the United States and internationally to equip doctors and nurses with lifesaving medical resources. The organization is delivering protective masks, exam gloves and isolation gowns to health-care organizations in areas with confirmed covid-19 cases. You can donate here.

14. First Book

Donations will help deliver 7 million books to children in need who don’t have Internet access or home libraries to keep learning. You can donate here.

15. Meals on Wheels

Now, more than ever, Meals on Wheels can be a life-saver. Consider donating to help them continue deliver meals to most vulnerable seniors. You can contact your local provider or donate to the national group here.

16. National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources

Have a company with excess inventory? Consider donating unwanted goods, overstocks, obsolete items, factory seconds and more to schools, churches and nonprofits.  Go here for a donation form or call 1-800-562-0955.

17. No Kid Hungry

No Kid Hungry deploys funds to ensure access to free meals continues for children in need, especially with schools closed. It is providing $5 million in emergency grants immediately — with more to come — to help schools and community groups feed kids during the outbreak and making sure families know how to find meals while schools are closed. You can donate here.

18. Ronald McDonald House Charities

Providing meals, housing and support for families who have children with serious illnesses and must be away from home for long periods, Ronald McDonald House Charities is working on repurposing some of its spaces for health-care workers on the front lines of the crisis. Search for in-kind donations being accepted by your local chapter. You can donate money here.

19. Salvation Army

Outreach includes drive-through food pickups, community-based food delivery through canteens and meals at Salvation Army facilities. It also provides snacks and hydration to first responders. You can donate here.

20. United Way Worldwide

Supports communities struggling in the wake of the virus by supporting local United Ways and the 211 network, a free emergency support service helping people in crisis. Funds distributed to local United Ways help with everything from connecting families to food pantries to aiding those experiencing financial hardships due to lost wages. You can donate here.