5 Causes to Prioritize During the Pandemic
It’s been a little over five months since the coronavirus made sweeping changes across the country, and although promising results are being seen in various vaccine clinical trials, Americans are far from out of the woods. Political unrest, social upheaval and natural disasters are also occurring on top of everything else, which means that many families around the nation are in desperate need of food and financial support, to name a few.
With so much going on at the moment, it’s difficult for many to know where to start in offering help. Countless causes are in need of support, but here are five that you should prioritize as they offer life-saving services to people that need them to live and function during these times of hardship.
1. Feeding AmericaWith job losses and food shortages, it’s never been more important for food banks to receive donations than now. Although you could go through your pantry and donate old canned food to your local food bank, it’s much more effective to donate money. Choose to support your local food banks or you can donate to Feeding America, a nonprofit which has created a COVID-19 response fund specifically for food banks across America. Countless people are facing hunger due to school closures, job disruptions, lack of paid sick leave and the disproportionate coronavirus impact on elderly adults and low-income families. Anyone can help by donating on their website.
2. National Domestic Violence Hotline
Due to stay-at-home orders and increased isolation for everyone, domestic violence is on the rise and victims have even fewer options than normal. If you’re not sure how to help yourself or someone you know, consider directing them to thehotline.org; a place where anyone can receive support connected to domestic violence. According to their website, “The Hotline provides confidential, one-on-one support to each caller/chatter/texter, offering crisis intervention, options for next steps, and direct connection to sources for immediate safety. Our comprehensive database holds more than 5,000 agencies and resources in communities all across the country. Bilingual advocates are on hand to speak with callers, and our Language Line offers translations in 170 different languages.” Anyone can also donate via their website.
3. National Alliance on Mental Illness
Parents and caregivers are experiencing increased work demands while also being at home with their children. Working from home is no picnic, and many people are experiencing increased mental illness and mental health crises. Just as it’s important to support one’s physical health at this time, supporting mental health is also vital. Organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness provide support and resources to all individuals on a personal level with a national backing and network.
4. Live Care Foundation
It’s no secret that the already marginalized and vulnerable are those suffering the most during this pandemic. The disabled community is no exception to this reality. Those who are elderly and/or disabled and receive home health services have never needed more help than now to cover the costs of simply living. Pre-pandemic, affording services like nursing homes, care centers or home health services was difficult, and many of these services are considered “extra” when really they are essential for so many people. Live Care Foundation offers assisted-care charitable grants to families and individuals in need. By contributing to the Live Care Foundation, you can help individuals receive the care they need to eat, live and function despite the pandemic. Make a donation today.
5. The American Red Cross
In addition to a desperate need for blood donations, the American Red Cross is also asking for money donations to support their mission and services they are providing in the wake of the pandemic. According to their website, the Red Cross has offered comfort, support and refuge during and after disasters such as home fires, tornadoes and hurricanes during the pandemic. By delivering relief where it’s most needed such as quarantine shelters, food distribution, and health and mental health services to those in need, the Red Cross is doing great things for so many people.
With so much going on at the moment, it’s difficult for many to know where to start in offering help. Countless causes are in need of support, but here are five that you should prioritize as they offer life-saving services to people that need them to live and function during these times of hardship.
1. Feeding AmericaWith job losses and food shortages, it’s never been more important for food banks to receive donations than now. Although you could go through your pantry and donate old canned food to your local food bank, it’s much more effective to donate money. Choose to support your local food banks or you can donate to Feeding America, a nonprofit which has created a COVID-19 response fund specifically for food banks across America. Countless people are facing hunger due to school closures, job disruptions, lack of paid sick leave and the disproportionate coronavirus impact on elderly adults and low-income families. Anyone can help by donating on their website.
2. National Domestic Violence Hotline
Due to stay-at-home orders and increased isolation for everyone, domestic violence is on the rise and victims have even fewer options than normal. If you’re not sure how to help yourself or someone you know, consider directing them to thehotline.org; a place where anyone can receive support connected to domestic violence. According to their website, “The Hotline provides confidential, one-on-one support to each caller/chatter/texter, offering crisis intervention, options for next steps, and direct connection to sources for immediate safety. Our comprehensive database holds more than 5,000 agencies and resources in communities all across the country. Bilingual advocates are on hand to speak with callers, and our Language Line offers translations in 170 different languages.” Anyone can also donate via their website.
3. National Alliance on Mental Illness
Parents and caregivers are experiencing increased work demands while also being at home with their children. Working from home is no picnic, and many people are experiencing increased mental illness and mental health crises. Just as it’s important to support one’s physical health at this time, supporting mental health is also vital. Organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness provide support and resources to all individuals on a personal level with a national backing and network.
4. Live Care Foundation
It’s no secret that the already marginalized and vulnerable are those suffering the most during this pandemic. The disabled community is no exception to this reality. Those who are elderly and/or disabled and receive home health services have never needed more help than now to cover the costs of simply living. Pre-pandemic, affording services like nursing homes, care centers or home health services was difficult, and many of these services are considered “extra” when really they are essential for so many people. Live Care Foundation offers assisted-care charitable grants to families and individuals in need. By contributing to the Live Care Foundation, you can help individuals receive the care they need to eat, live and function despite the pandemic. Make a donation today.
5. The American Red Cross
In addition to a desperate need for blood donations, the American Red Cross is also asking for money donations to support their mission and services they are providing in the wake of the pandemic. According to their website, the Red Cross has offered comfort, support and refuge during and after disasters such as home fires, tornadoes and hurricanes during the pandemic. By delivering relief where it’s most needed such as quarantine shelters, food distribution, and health and mental health services to those in need, the Red Cross is doing great things for so many people.