COVID-19 Resources for those who want to help
Do you have time, resources, and/or a desire to help but don’t know how to engage? We have a few ideas:
Blood Donation - In the words of the U.S. Surgeon General, “You can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future. Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement.”
University of Chicago - schedule an appointment to donate blood.
Red Cross - Donate blood or host a blood drive.
America’s Blood Centers - Search for a blood donation center near you.
Thank your healthcare staff - Show your appreciation for your healthcare workers and hospital staff.
Reach out to the healthcare workers in your life to thank them and offer your support.
Send Notes of Appreciation to University of Chicago Staff - through their online thanks-to-staff form. You can also thank U of C staff by visiting Facebook.com/UChicagoMed and use #ThousandsofDifferences to share encouraging words, artwork and thank you notes.
Donate Hot/Ready-to-serve food to healthcare workers. You can contact your local hospital or clinic for more details.
University of Chicago - has guidelines and sign-up opportunities for food donations.
Food Donations/Volunteer Opportunities - Food donations are more valuable than ever.
Greater Chicago Food Depository - The Greater Chicago Food Depository currently has “an urgent need for volunteers aged 18-60 to pack food for our COVID-19 response. Food assistance is an essential service during the Illinois Stay at Home order.”
Mission of Our Lady of The Angels - Sign up to volunteer with the Mission of Our Lady of The Angels food pantry.
Donate hand-sewn masks, gowns, caps, and booties - With a lack of protective equipment, many places are accepting hand-sewn items.
The University of Chicago recommends following instructions such as those provided by Joann Fabrics for creating homemade masks.
Chicago Volunteer Opportunities - This site provides opportunities to donate or volunteer, such as giving blood, donating to relief funds, and volunteering with local and national organizations.
Volunteer with University of Illinois Chicago - Volunteer opportunities include data entry, coordination and tracking of supplies, fundraising, telephone triage, etc.
Volunteer with La Casa Norte - La Casa Norte is looking for volunteers to help with their fresh food market pantry, locating housing and employment opportunities, and sharing social media posts/hosting Facebook fundraisers.
Provide childcare to first responders and essential workers - Sign up with sittercity to volunteer
Volunteer to call seniors - My Block My Hood My City is asking for volunteers who can call seniors and conduct phone wellness assessments.
Call your neighbors - Check in on your neighbors. If you are going to the grocery store, see if they need you to pick anything up. Ask how they are doing. Listen to them. Share resources when you are able.
Pray - Pray for those directly affected by the virus and their families, for healthcare workers, for people who do not have safe and stable housing to stay-at-home during this time, for your friends, for those who are experiencing grief, anxiety, loneliness, and concern, for your family, for the people who walk by your windows, for those in other countries, for those who don’t have food, for the elderly, for those who are cleaning and disinfecting our hospitals and buildings . . . . just pray.
Do you know of other ways to help? Please share your ideas in the comments.