The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected every person, business, and non-profit in our community. Find out how you can help your community.
The coronavirus disease COVID-19 has affected every person, business, and non-profit in our community. We are living in unprecedented times. Government officials are asking us to stay home and practice social distancing so that we can stay safe and help others remain safe.
Many of us are feeling isolated and are having trouble staying occupied. We can use this difficult situation to slow down, spend time with our immediate family, and catch up on things we have been meaning to get to. It also allows us to help our neighbors and community as a whole. Here are a few things you can do to help your community during these trying times.
How To Help Your Community
- Support Local Restaurants - many restaurants are closed for sit down meals, but they are open for takeout. You can order lunch or dinner. You can order a meal for a friend who lives alone or an elderly neighbor to bring up their spirits. You can also order food for relatives and friends who live in other parts of the country. You can purchase gift cards for local restaurants to give to your friends, family, and neighbors. You can send food or baked goods to your local hospitals. This will lift their spirits and provide them with the nourishment they need.
- Help Your Neighbors - if you have neighbors that are elderly or sick and need to stay home, you can offer to pick-up groceries for them. A little kindness goes a long way during this time of stress.
- Support Local Charities - many charities are going to need more support than ever. Call local charities and ask what type of donations they need. They may have a few dire requests that you can help them with. You can let them know when you will be by and simply drop the items off without putting you or them at risk.
- Foster or Adopt a Pet - many people have been reaching out to shelters and taking in dogs and cats. Not only will you be helping the animal, but you will be helping you and your family. Pets bring love and joy into a home. It will give everyone something new to focus on and take care of.
- Social Distancing - it's essential to social distance the right way. This isn't a time for social gatherings. This is time to stay home with immediate family and stay away from others. If you go to the supermarket, go home quickly afterward and wash your hands. Don't invite friends and family over, and don't go to anyone's home at this time. If we do this the right way, fewer people will get ill, and this will be over sooner.
- Hospital Donations - hospitals are in dire need of gloves and masks. Consider donating these items to your local hospital if you have them. You can also call the hospital and ask what they need.
- Don't Overstock - many people have been afraid that the grocery stores will run out of food and supplies. Keep in mind that the stores are getting new deliveries more often than before. Try not to buy all of the hand sanitizer, vitamin C, and toilet paper. Remember, other people need these items also. You can buy a little more than you usually would because we want to go to the store less often but try to leave things for other people as well.
- Take care of yourself - when times are stressful, and we are taking care of other people, we can forget to take care of ourselves. Take some time to slow down, eat healthy, get enough sleep, and try to remember that this will eventually pass.
