We are living in unprecedented times. Times like these can seem grim and without hope, but they don’t have to be. If we look, there is always light in darkness, hope in the hardest of times and something good to hold onto.
Right now that something good is the hope that many nonprofits and charitable organizations are spreading to bring relief to those affected by COVID-19. Here are some organizations focused on everything from healthcare workers on the frontline, to people who’ve lost work, to kids who don’t have a place to get a warm meal.
Let’s do more than scroll through a list of organizations. Let’s join them and give back to our communities at this time.
Revolution Foods
With kids out of school until the fall, it means thousands of kids who depend on free or reduced lunch programs are without meals. Revolution Foods is providing meals during school closures.
The recently passed COVID-19 Child Nutrition Response Act allows the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a national waiver to make meals reimbursable. Under this act, in the 400 U.S. cities it serves, Revolution Foods is providing cold/hot breakfast, cold/hot lunch, cold/hot dinner, grab-n-go, shelf stable breakfast and shelf stable supper. Follow them on Instagram here for more updates.
Save With Stories
As of Friday, April 3, across America, kids in need have missed almost half a million meals. Actresses Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner are stepping up to make a difference in the lives of families nationwide. They launched Save With Stories, in partnership with Save the Children and No Kid Hungry, to provide meals and educational tools for kids and parents stuck at home due to the spread of coronavirus.
Each weekday, the organization is offering stories on Instagram and Facebook read by some of your favorite celebrities. You will find familiar faces like Tracy Ellis Ross, James Marsden, Cindy Crawford, Kathie Lee Gifford, Sophia Bush, Gabrielle Union and Chris Evans, just to name a few. The organization is asking for a one-time gift of $10 to continue providing for the health, education and nutrition needs of kids.
Red CrossÂ
Due to the spread of coronavirus and the “safer-at-home” orders from state and federal governments, there have been a large number of blood drive cancellations nationwide. The Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage.
Healthy donors are needed to help patients including victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients suffering from cancer requiring lifesaving blood. The Red Cross is looking for blood donations, and in some areas, they are looking for volunteers to help hand out meals, like in L.A. county to students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). You can also donate financially to ensure that the Red Cross is able to continue to provide critical services to those affected by disaster.
United Health FoundationÂ
Established in 1999 by the UnitedHealth Group, the United Health Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation that provides health care coverage and benefits services. In the face of the economic effects of COVID-19, the organization has pledged $5 million to provide urgent support for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity at this time. This money will be split between their partner organizations the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America.
Stay In Speak Out
More of a movement than an organization, Stay In Speak Out is a movement of people trying to spread the word about the importance of staying home during this global pandemic. The mission is to help people take back control and to empower them to save lives through awareness.Â
They have five simple steps that every person can take part in to make a difference:
- Stay home.
- Donate $5 to UNICEF (so basically your cup of coffee that you won’t need to buy in the meantime).
- Post the graphic and caption to your social media.
- Ask 10 friends to do the same.
- Be a part of something amazing!
What organizations do you know that are contributing to COVID-19 relief? Comment below!
Image via Raisa Zwart PhotographyÂ
