Pulling together as a community has never been more important. Here's how you can help without breaking the budget or social distancing guidelines.
Medical Donations
Hospitals are in desperate need of donations to procure medical equipment. The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster recommends monetary donations to these carefully vetted nonprofit groups: Americares and Direct Relief.
Food Bank Donations
As food scarcity continues and unemployment rises, food banks are distributing more food than ever while receiving 50% less. SeaGate Foodbank provides 15 million pounds of food to over 400 community pantries and programs per year. They're the only organization in our area that doesn't charge the pantries they serve and because they're an independent food bank, they often get excluded from government grants. Find out how to donate or offer assistance here.
Helping Your Circle
Think about the people who help your life run smoothly during the normal day-to-day: babysitters, daycare teachers, home maintenance workers, house cleaners, etc. These are the people we pay as they go who aren't able to work from home. If you are in a position to continue paying them, even partially, consider doing so.
Support Local Businesses
Keep ordering carryout from local restaurants. Browse the pages of your favorite boutiques, eateries, and businesses to see if they have online ordering options or gift cards.
Donate Blood
Nearly 13,000 blood drives were canceled as of early April, which is a loss of 375,000 individual donations nationwide. Check if you qualify, then find a location near you to donate blood. If you have recovered from COVID-19, your plasma donations are essential for treating individuals who are currently sick.
We are continuously in awe of the generosity within our community. If we all do our part now, we can come out of this situation even stronger.