Many of us want to help others during this Coronavirus pandemic and quarantine days. While the front-line healthcare workers are picking up extra shifts and working hard, the ones at home may wonder what they can also do to help with the situation. If you are one of the lucky ones who gets to work from home, don’t have to worry about your next meal or have extra time on your hands, here are some practical ways in which you can help you community!
1Check on your elderly folks! Do you have elderly family members or neighbors? Call them up and see if they are running out of any essential items that you can pick up for them. It’s much harder for the elderly folks to make a trip to the grocery store (or several grocery stores to find something) than it is for us. Running simple errands for them, like picking up medication or delivering something to them may sound small to you, but may take them a whole day to get done. If you are tech savvy, maybe you can help set up a system for them that allows them to video chat with family or contact someone in case of an emergency.
2 Donate to your local food bank. Food banks are in continuous need of donations, especially during times like this. So if you have the means and time, this is a great time to donate to the food bank OR volunteer! Many of the food bank programs and volunteer centers are all taking high precautions and working efficiently with volunteers and other teams to help the community.
Want to be a part of this effort but don’t know where to find one? Check out the North Texas Food Bank locations on their website. I’m sure you can find a food bank close to you with a quick online search.
3 Assist other families in need. There are so many ways to help families in need or our front-line healthcare workers. One way is to cook for them or provide meals. After long continuous shifts at the hospital, healthcare workers come home drained, but still have to cook and take care of their family. If you love to cook, here is a fun way to help out! Also, helping low-income families or families with young children in which parents can go to work, but can’t find or afford daycare is another great way. I’m not saying you have to go and babysit their children all day long. Checking up on them periodically or dropping off lunch for the children are small, yet powerful ways you can help a family.
4 Buy gift cards from small local businesses in your city. Many small businesses are having difficult time keeping their stores up and running, but not making enough to even pay their monthly rent. Businesses who were already barely making it or the ones that started recently and are already in debt are especially having a harder time now. If you buy a gift card from a business now, that will give them some income. You can use that gift card once everything settles down or even gift it to someone.
5 Give your money where it matters. Another way to help the local community is to order take out or delivery from small local shops instead of chain restaurants. Instead of driving through a chain fast food restaurant, stop by a small local business and order via phone and they will deliver it to your car. It might take a few more minutes to do this, but think about the difference you are making to the small business.
6 Donate blood. Blood banks are needing lots of donations at this time due to the increase in patient numbers. Besides the people being affected by the virus, many others, who are already sick are being put on the back of the list without getting urgent care and medication in a timely manner. There is always a need of blood in a crisis like this, so if you are a healthy individual, you can give blood every three months! Hospitals are also looking for volunteers who have recovered from the virus to donate plasma.
7 Last but not least, STAY AT HOME! It’s as simple as that. Many of us are blessed to be able to stay safe at home and spend time with family. Even if you can’t do any of the things mentioned above, you can definitely do this one!
Do you have any other ideas or ways you have been helping the community during this COVID-19 phase? If so, comment below and let me know! Check out these ideas for the travel lovers during the quarantine life!
Do you know of any specific volunteer opportunities or organizations in need? Let me know so I can share that information with my readers!
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