4 Ways You Can Help During COVID-19- A Holiday Guide

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

These are unique times. This year has been filled with new physical, social and financial challenges. As we enter the holiday season, many of us are finding ourselves wanting to join together, to help our neighbors and communities. We also find ourselves wondering how to do that in the current COVID-19 environment while still maintaining social distancing.

Here are 4 Ways You Can Help During COVID-19:

1. Donate Blood
   Right now, there is a critical need for blood. The American National Red Cross urgently needs blood donors to maintain a sufficient and stable blood supply.
   
   Healthy donors can schedule an appointment here: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/coronavirus–covid-19–and-blood-donation.html
   
   
2. Local Food Bank Donations
   Local Food Pantries are in need of healthy food donations & financial support to meet the increasing demand for providing emergency food boxes, drive-thru pantries, and long-term support to help feed people in response to COVID-19. 
   
   For information on donating to local food pantries visit: https://foodbank.org/donate/donate-food/

3. Support Local Business
   Social media can be a powerful tool-utilizing your own communities of influence can be a valuable support to small businesses. Share stories, post about a fundraising drive, and write reviews for local restaurants and retailers. Neighborhood Facebook pages have a become a particularly helpful way for people to call out their favorite small businesses in town to support. Give back in whatever way you can-share information on social media, shop local, tip or buy gift cards. These will all help your community of small businesses.

Check out our blog to learn more about supporting local business: https://www.SERVPROworcester.com/blog/post/228767/community/supporting-locally--diversely-owned-businesses-is-supporting-the-community-we-call-home

4. Online and On-site Volunteer Opportunities
   While COVID-19 has limited some in-person volunteering opportunities your time and talents are of great value and need. VolunteerMatch has a COVID-19 response directory by geography of current opportunities for volunteers to help remotely or on-site. You may also want to check additional remote opportunities via United Nations Volunteers, a resource dedicated solely to matching virtual volunteers to much-needed support opportunities: https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en

Your friends at SERVPRO of Shrewsbury/Westborough wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.