When I planned to write about how to help others this spring, I had no idea how much help would be needed in our community and all over the world. Our lives have changed in ways that would have been imaginable months ago. If you are reading the news, you know that unemployment has skyrocketed in our country and so many people are struggling because of the spread of COVID-19. If you are fortunate enough to stay healthy and safe and financially stable at home during this pandemic (partly thanks to the heroic efforts of essential workers who keep the world running), you might be looking for ways to give back and help others who are not as lucky. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Check On People You Know
The first step is to check in (regularly) with friends, family, and neighbors – especially anyone who is elderly or high risk. Offer to drop off groceries and other supplies outside their building or find a way to have a socially distant conversation (maybe through a window or six feet away on the sidewalk) to lift their spirits. Or if you aren’t able or willing to leave home, just making a phone call or video call to say hello and check in can make a huge difference for anyone who is alone or might be struggling or feeling depressed during this difficult time.
And don’t just check in with people who you know need help…sometimes people you assume are okay are the ones who are struggling the most. I know we are all getting tired of hearing “we’re in this together,” but I do think that we will survive this crisis by staying (safely) connected and helping each other as much as possible.
Kids can also help reach out to others. You can get them to write letters or draw pictures or help make calls to check in on people who need a little support. A few kind words or a drawing from your child might be exactly what some people need to brighten their quarantine days.
Volunteer to Help Others
Want to do more? There are plenty of ways to find local people who need a helping hand. In addition to neighborhood Facebook groups, I have found the Nextdoor app to be a great source of local information and support – and I have been so impressed and comforted by all the posts from people offering to help strangers in their neighborhood. There is so much need right now but there are also many people stepping up and looking for ways to help.
You can also check on others without leaving your home. Dorot, an organization whose mission is to alleviate social isolation among the elderly and homebound, is looking for volunteers willing to make weekly, friendly “Caring Calls” to their clients. This seems like a great way to help if you are homebound yourself.
Many new mutual aid networks are being created in neighborhoods to help people connect and get the help they need. You can find a list of mutual aid networks in NYC in this google doc regularly updated by the volunteers at NYC United Against Coronavirus. Another great resource for finding and creating your own mutual aid groups is Mutual Aid NYC. For even more ways to help others, check out the volunteer opportunities listed at NYC Service or New York Cares. I have also been hearing a lot about a group called Invisible Hands that needs low-risk, able-bodied volunteers to help deliver groceries to vulnerable people in NYC and parts of New Jersey.
If you are leaving home to help others, please make sure that you are doing it safely and maintaining social distance in order to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. If you are in doubt about your health or your ability to help others safely, please stay home. There are ways to help virtually or donate to these organizations with zero risk involved – and the most important thing you can do to help others right now is to stay home and keep yourself safe and healthy.
Donate Funds and More
If you are strictly following stay-at-home orders, there are still lots of ways you can help from home, including checking in with vulnerable people and supporting local businesses that are struggling – check out our recent post about BetterTogetherBrooklyn for a convenient way to support local shops. If you are fortunate enough to be financially secure during this time, please consider donating funds to the many great organizations helping people in need as well as healthcare workers and essential workers who are on the front lines.
Supporting these organizations and volunteer groups might be the most important (and safest) thing you can do to help. There are way too many to list, but here are a few ideas to get you started:
NYC COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund – The funds are used to provide medical personnel with personal protective equipment (PPE) and help small business owners and vulnerable New Yorkers.
Food Bank of New York City and City Harvest – Food banks have been overwhelmed as unemployment numbers rise and New Yorkers struggle to feed their families. These are two of the biggest food banks that need help but there are many others struggling to keep up with the new demand. You can also find a local food pantry in your neighborhood by going to FoodPantries.org.
Meals on Wheels – They are delivering 200,000 in-home emergency meals to the elderly throughout the country and need support to keep seniors safe during the pandemic.
Invisible Hands – Volunteers help deliver groceries to vulnerable New Yorkers and they need donations for operational costs like purchasing protective gear for their volunteers, performing community outreach, and maintaining their digital infrastructure.
Coalition for the Homeless, Partnership for the Homeless, and Housing Works – The homeless population is one of the groups most affected by the pandemic and these are just a few of the organizations helping them that need your support.
New York Blood Center – Less people are eligible or willing to donate blood these days, which could lead to dangerous shortages. If you are healthy, please consider making an appointment to donate blood – and if you have recovered from COVID-19, you could even donate plasma to help treat others who are sick.
Think of Others (and Yourself)
As people congregate in crowded parks or walk down busy streets without masks (or any effort to distance from others), it is clear that many people in our (world) community act without giving much thought to others around them. Of course there are plenty of exceptions, including those of you who are stepping up to help other people, but I have been disturbed by the lack of consideration some people show for fellow human beings. This is especially problematic during a crisis where our actions and choices so directly affect other people.
If you want to help, please think of others (especially those who are elderly or high risk) and make choices that won’t hurt people in the community around you. This also means taking care of yourself, since – once again – we are all in this together. Especially in a city like New York where it’s basically impossible to walk down the street without coming within six feet of others. Whether we like it or not, we are connected in the spread of this virus and the efforts to stop it. But we can also take comfort in the fact that we are connected and helping each other get through this challenging time.
Take care of yourself and take care of those around you. Respect and support – in any way you can – the brave individuals and organizations out there every day helping others. Model the kind of behavior you want to see in your children and be a socially responsible member of the community. Then, when we get to the other side of this pandemic, you will be able to look back and feel good about the role you played in helping others who were struggling the most.
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Margel Nusbaumer is a local writer and mom in Brooklyn. Thoughts? Reach out to margel@achildgrows.com.
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