Does your group need help? Have help to give? Here’s info on coronavirus aid in the Triangle
As communities in the Triangle react to the coronavirus outbreak, many of the safety nets serving the most vulnerable are strained or suddenly unavailable.
Here are ways to help out those in need, who may have lost hours at work, who may be hungry after disruptions to relied-upon meals, who may need cleaning and medical supplies as routines and networks change.
Groups are asking for volunteers, donations, food and supplies. As we learn of more charities expressing needs, this list will be updated.
Let us know of other ways to help here: http://bit.ly/NChelps.
Also, Gov. Roy Cooper and other state officials announced Wednesday a new resource related to COVID-19, called NC 2-1-1. Families or individuals who need assistance or have questions can dial 2-1-1 to receive free and confidential information on health and human resources.
Activate Good
This Raleigh group helps organize volunteers for a number of causes. During the COVID-19 outbreak, they’ve compiled an evolving list of groups in need. Visit Activategood.org/covid19 for volunteer needs.
Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina
One of North Carolina’s largest food banks is collecting donations, dry and shelf-stable foods and asking for volunteers. For more ways to help, visit foodbankcenc.org/food-bank-covid-19-preparedness.
The Glass Jug Beer Lab
The South Durham bottle shop and brewery is collecting donations and non-perishable foods. Cash and food donations will go to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Donated cleaning supplies are also needed for the Durham Rescue Mission.
The Raleigh hunger relief group is seeing a volunteer shortage due to cancellations. Those willing and interested in packing meals can email Mynikah@foodshuttle.org or visit foodshuttle.org.
NC Artist Relief Fund
This fund, created by VAE Raleigh, Artspace, PineCone and the United Arts Council, serves artists whose gigs and exhibitions have been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. To donate or to apply for relief, visit vaeraleigh.org/artist-relief-fund. You can also help artists by bidding on toilet paper artwork, here: e.givesmart.com/events/h0V/i/.
Oak City Cares
This Raleigh group works with those experiencing homelessness and is asking for non-latex gloves, disinfectant wipes and Lysol spray, along with volunteers and donations. To help visit oakcitycares.org.
Orange County food drive
The Orange County Department of Social Services is having a food drive, collecting non-perishable items at two locations, the Southern Human Services Center at 2501 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill and the Department of Social Services building at 113 Mayo Street in Hillsborough. The office is also collecting donations, recommending checks be made out to Orange County DSS and mailed to Orange County DSS, PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Donations can also be made online at the Orange County Community fund.
Note in the Pocket
In addition to continuing to accept clothing donations at their donation center and remote locations, Note in the Pocket is accepting food donations for those affected by school closings at their Volunteer Center, 5100 Lacy Avenue, Raleigh 27609, between 9 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday. For more information, including a list of needed items, go to info@noteinthepocket.org. For information on clothing donations go to noteinthepocket.org/donate-clothing-supplies/.
Dorcas Ministries
Dorcas is continuing to accept donations at their donation drop off area during regular hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and accepting monetary donations here: dorcascary.org/donations/. For information on how to donate food and what items are needed, go to dorcascary.org/food-pantry-needs-2/.
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is preparing meals for those affected by school closings. They are asking for local chefs to prepare meals and donations. You can donate at www.foodshuttle.org/donate. For those who want to set up their own donate page, click on “Become a Fundraiser” at www.foodshuttle.org/community. Local chefs interested in helping prepare meals should contact Rachel Quigley at rachel@foodshuttle.org.
Inter-Faith is also in need of food and monetary donations for boxed meals. To help go to 4agc.com/commerce_pages/a3c7696c-c098-419e-9b3b-354003d3efba.
Ronald McDonald House
Local Ronald McDonald houses need cleaning supplies and food for visiting families. To donate money for meals at the Chapel Hill house, go to www.rmhch.org/covid19response. For Durham and Wake counties, www.RMHDurhamWake.org. To send supplies to the houses via Amazon Wish List registries for Chapel Hill: amzn.com/w/1NXUB1QV6Z8O8 and Durham and Wake, www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KL0V7RRSI64H?ref_=wl_share.
Bridge the Gap Mission
Bridge the Gap Mission, along with Food Truckers for Kids, is serving meals via mobile food trucks to children affected by school closings. For more information on in-kind donations of food and supplies, contact the Bridge The Gap Mission (@bridgethegapmissionNC) by calling 919-322-0014. Current needs include: nonperishable and dry foods, diapers and baby wipes, and more.
Wake County Public School System
The Wake County School System offers food options for pick up at various school and community center sites. For a list of sites, see www.wcpss.net/food. Volunteers are needed. Donations should be made to partner agencies Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, www.foodshuttle.org/donate and Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, volunteer.foodbankcenc.org/. If you would like to volunteer to support this work with food access and food security, complete this form shorturl.at/kyVX1 and you will be contacted.
Go Fund Me
Support for local restaurant and bar workers who are affected by the COVID-19 crisis can be made through various GoFundMe sites.
- Nightlight nightclub in Chapel Hill www.gofundme.com/f/save-nightlight
Zweli’s in Durham www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-zwelis
Elmo’s Diner in Durham www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-elmo039s-diner-staff
The Kraken in Chapel Hill www.gofundme.com/f/love-for-the-kraken
For a centralized site of those in need go to www.gofundme.com/c/act/covid19.
Orange County Arts Support Fund
The Orange County Arts Support Fund has been created for artists, arts industry workers, and art organization impacted by COVID-19. Here’s the info: artsorange.org/orange-county-arts-support-fund/.
Western Wake Crisis Ministry
Western Wake Crisis Ministry is serving the Apex area to collect and distribute food. Contact them here to help: wwcm.org/.
United Way’s Rapid Response Fund
United Way launched a Rapid Response Fund this week dedicated to providing residents with critical resources including food, hygiene supplies, childcare and housing support. Here’s the link: unitedwaytriangle.org/response.
Jewish Federation of Raleigh/Cary
The Jewish Federation of Raleigh/Cary needs donations . To seek how to help go to www.raleighcaryjfs.org/covid19.
Durham Arts Council Arts Recovery Fund
The Durham Arts Council Arts Recovery Fund is working in partnership with the Durham Artist Relief Fund established by Northstar Church of the Arts to raise emergency funds for artists affected by COVID-19. f you are a fan of the arts you can buy gift certificates from your favorite creative businesses or donate directly to any of these funds:
- www.northstardurham.com/artistrelief
- secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=pqYAAw&blm_aid=5161064
- www.gofundme.com/f/orange-county-arts-relief-fund?blm_aid=5161064
- vaeraleigh.org/artist-relief-fund?blm_aid=5161064
North Raleigh Ministries
North Raleigh Ministries provides a pantry where people in need can “shop” for groceries at no cost to them. They need financial donations to stock their cupboards/freezers. To donate visit www.northraleighministries.com.
Transitions LifeCare
Isolation gowns continue to be in short supply nationwide due to Covid-19. Transitions LifeCare needs your support to assemble more homemade isolation gowns. Please help Transitions LifeCare fulfill this supply need. We just need willing hands!
If you or someone you know is a sewing enthusiast, please consider this sewing project. Transitions LifeCare has purchased 10 bolts of OlyFun non-woven fabric to use in this project, which means you can eliminate finishing edges or the binding neckline (Waiting for delivery).
Another option is clean old bedsheets. (TL not providing)
If you’re willing to help with this sewing project, please contact Amy Hatcher at 919-828-0890 or ahatcher@transitionslifecare.org
Healthcare workers are in need of personal protective supplies (PPE) to keep seeing patients who may have COVID-19 or been exposed to the virus. Healthcare workers in Hospice, Home Health, and Palliative Care are visiting patients throughout the Triangle helping residents stay out of hospitals which are becoming overcrowded.
Transitions LifeCare healthcare workers need surgical masks, N95 masks, home-made masks, eye shields and goggles, medical gowns, protective gloves, hand sanitizer, bleach wipes, and alcohol wipes. If you and others in your neighborhood can donate any of these supplies please contact Amy Hatcher, 919-828-0890 or ahatcher@transitionslifecare.org, . All quantities are welcome. If you want to make needed long sleeve surgical type gown with elastic or ties at the end of the sleeves and ties in the back visit this site: www.lazygirldesigns.com/free-hospital-gown-patterns/ for instructions. Other how to links: so-sew-easy.com/face-mask-sewing-patterns/ and www.thespruce.com/make-your-own-homemade-hand-sanitizer-606145.
Transitions will also sponsor a pop-up food pantry. For details about where and when to donate, items needed call 919-828-0890.
Beth El Synagogue
Beth El Synagogue will need help unloading a truckload of donated food on Thursday, March 26 (time TBD). If you want to help with socially distanced unloading, contact kcrowe@trinityave.org.
Urban Ministries of Wake County
Urban Ministries of Wake County workers are filling up to 50 cars a day with a week’s worth of groceries from their food pantry at 1390 Capital Boulevard. The Helen Wright Center for Women at 401 W Cabarrus Street, is open and housing 33 women who are now staying all day. They are seeking some lunches and dinners for them from the community. If you are interested in helping, contact Carrie Pitts-Densmore at 919-256-2187, cpittsdensmore@urbanmin.org or visit www.urb.anmin.org.
Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods welcomes the public to join the company and its brands in support of Feeding America and its nationwide network of more than 200 food banks. To contribute visit www.smithfieldfoods.com/goodfoodchallenge.
Bruegger’s Bagels
If you buy a baker’s dozen of assorted bagels Bruegger’s will donate same to to a local community in need ( including families requiring food assistance, hospital workers and first responders).
Kenan Refugee Project
The Kenan Refugee Project has created a GoFundMe page to help resettled refugees in the Durham area who are struggling. For details see www.kenanrefugeeproject.org/.
Wake County
Residents with extra cleaning supplies and protective equipment can donate them to Wake County to help protect first responders and public-facing service staff involved in the COVID-19 response. The county’s supply is running low, so it’s encouraging anyone who may have a surplus to donate.
The county is accepting the following items:
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfectant spray and wipes
- N95 face masks (no cloth or homemade masks)
- Exam gloves
- Antibacterial soap
Those interested in donating should call 919-856-6946 or email volunteer-donations@wakeeoc.com.
Health Connect South
Health Connect South has designed an online directory to help individuals get information and access to donate items such as protective equipment, medical supplies and more. The site is /healthconnectsouth.com/#1585830797700-7c715b7f-517d.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 3:14 PM.
