Giving in the Time of Corona
Everything is terrible. But, as always, there are ways we can help.
In our last bulletin, we were urging readers to start social distancing and disinfect your phones, knowing it was just the beginning. As we hunker down, we are starting to see the fall-out of the pandemic. But we are also starting to understand better how we can help.
Today we share this insightful meditation on giving in the time of COVID-19 from friend and role model Melissa Jones, nonprofit/philanthropic consultant based in California. - Amber & Katie
“Philanthropy” was born on the community scale. It involved neighborhoods of immigrants in NYC forming societies that cared for new citizens struggling to find work or housing. It was made up of women who formed makeshift hospitals in times of war to care for soldiers. It was African Americans who started a network to guide their brothers and sisters to freedom. It’s never been big flashy billionaires or miserly foundations at its core.
We have always strengthened our bonds by lending a hand out of love to the folks around us.
Coronavirus is unlike other crises (hurricanes, earthquakes, mass shootings) we’ve encountered in our lifetimes in that we can not direct resources to one particular area. We need to shore up at the local level, so it’s best to direct your resources to your own community.
HOWEVER, as many of you have seen play out in school districts and the like, this typically means that resources flow to the already better-resourced communities and leave historically underfunded communities to suffer. Consider looking at your own city/town/neighborhood, but also beyond to rural or marginalized communities nearby.
Here are ways you can shore up resources:
Journalism: Containment and mitigation of the virus mean getting the public accurate information. Support measured, appropriate, transparent and HELPFUL journalism. Pay for subscriptions to news sources reporting with thoughtfulness and accuracy.
Community Foundations: Pooling resources can have the greatest impact and this is what your local community foundation is designed to do. They are well-poised to respond at the local levels, have relationships with existing nonprofits and can blanket the region. Seek out your local community foundation and ask what they’re doing around COVID19.
Local Nonprofits: There are many on the front lines working to provide food, shelter and medical treatment. Consider donating (money NOT food!) to food banks, senior centers, Meals on Wheels and other organizations that serve isolated or impoverished populations.
Individual Assistance: Here we’re talking about lending flexible dollars quickly (something local and state governments can’t always do). Try looking for Rental Subsidy Funds, mortgage assistance programs and the like in your area.
Small Businesses: Statistically speaking, a small business that has to close its doors for more than 4-5 days in a row won’t open again. Rather than ordering from Amazon, try to find ways (even if it’s online!) to support local business in your area. Even if you cancel house cleaning, babysitting and the like, consider continuing to pay your service provider, if you have the means.
In whatever way you’re able to give, try to:
Remain Flexible--this is a constantly shifting situation.
Make few requirements or “strings” with your giving.
Listen to communities and local health departments and their needs.
Give some thought to the longer term time trajectory.
No matter how you choose to get involved, PLEASE JUMP IN! There’s no time to wait.
While most of us are aware that vulnerable populations who are forced to stay home and not receive pay, and children who are not able to eat because they rely on schools for most of their meals, along with those who suffer from the virus, are deeply impacted, we need to recognize that the current systems we have in place make us choose between the public health crisis and the weight of inequity and poverty. If you are noticing the gaps in the U.S. system and feeling frustrated, please continue to elect and hold accountable lawmakers who will advocate for things such as comprehensive health care, paid sick leave and programs like SNAP and WIC that aid individuals and families and keep us all well. This will help us create resiliency for the next crisis we encounter.
In addition to Melissa’s excellent suggestions above, here are more calls to action:
Get involved with one of many “mutual aid” efforts mobilizing around the U.S. which empower communities to help one another, rather than relying on top-down charity. This huge Google Doc indexes mutual aid efforts by place with additional resources and how-tos.
Raid your emergency kit for surgical masks--or sew them--for your local hospitals. (There are so many groups and pages popping up around the country, including Facebook groups organizing efforts by city. Ex: Masks4Medicine in NYC has great info.)
Find a “help map” in your neighborhood on the NextDoor app.
Reader J. Brauer, RN BSN suggests: “Our best defense during the COVID-19 outbreak is staying healthy. This includes keeping our healthcare workers healthy by making sure they have enough support so they can care for the sick. Look for ways your local healthcare providers need help personally--meals, laundry, emotional support.”
Sign a petition to urge Congress to include immigrants and vulnerable populations in their response.
Another important petition: Take these measures to prepare the American healthcare system for a pandemic.
And one more: Urge Congress to Act Now to Protect Frontline Healthcare Providers Managing COVID-19.
Support World Central Kitchen’s relief work to provide chef-prepared meals to people across America.
Donate money to provide period products at no cost during the pandemic.
Patronize local small businesses and restaurants who are offering contact-free take-out or delivery. Or buy a gift card for a later date to help with revenue now.
Say the kindest possible “thank you” to your grocery store clerk.
Support restaurants and food service workers. This list by Eater includes many opportunities, including city-specific efforts.
Check in with a local place of worship or faith-based community about what they are doing to support vulnerable groups in your neighborhood.
Watch and share info about Stars in the House streaming fundraisers for The Actors Fund, which supports the performing arts and entertainment community with financial assistance and services.
Order your reading material from local independent book sellers. Many are offering delivery services.
Contribute diapers and other essential baby and hygiene products to your nearest diaper bank.
Share resources for aid and assistance with your networks. The Gig Workers Collective has compiled this list.
For the love of God, please stay away from social gatherings and playgrounds. Don’t make us come over there.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Let us know how you’ve taken action using #LinkedAndLoud.
Linked & Loud illuminates complex problems and connects readers with the individuals and organizations working to solve them. Each week, we go beyond horrifying headlines to empower readers to take progressive action.