Here are some ways you can help members of our community during this time:
Give blood:
The American Red Cross has an urget need for blood and platelets.
For a limited time, the American Red Cross will test all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service to our donors. This testing may provide critical insight into whether donors may have possibly been exposed to this coronavirus. The Red Cross is committed to helping others in meaningful ways during this pandemic.
Make an appointment now on the American Red Cross website.
Donate Plasma For COVID-19 Patients
If you’ve fully recovered from a verified COVID-19 diagnosis, your convalescent plasma donation may help up to 4 coronavirus patients in need! Donors are critically needed as COVID-19 cases rise. Make an appointment here.
Help those disproportionately affected
The United Way of South Hampton Roads has established a Coronavirus Recovery Fund.
To donate to the Coronavirus Recovery Fund, you can visit United Way’s website HERE.
100% of the funds will go to help support recovery efforts. You can also text COVID to 41444 to make a gift.
In addition to the recovery fund, United Way has set up a Coronavirus Response Hotline for those experiencing closures and missed work. Anyone needing assistance can call (757) 858-7777.
Help feed the hungry.
The Virginia Peninsula Food Bank has released the following guidelines for donating food supplies.
Food donations: As we distribute more food, our inventory depletes quickly. Due to the increased demand for food in grocery stores, our Food Rescue Program has experienced a significant decrease in food pick-ups and store donations. This makes food drives and food donations even more essential. New or recently purchased food (case lots, if possible) is preferred, as our volunteer base for sorting incoming donations is also presently more limited.
Through YouGiveGoods https://yougivegoods.com/start-a-new-drive and on-line retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Costco, etc. you can host a virtual food drive or ship items directly to our doors.
Please contact Tracy at [email protected] if you have any questions.
–Monetary donations: We are purchasing truckloads of food items to nourish individuals, families, children, seniors, and veterans, to fill in the gaps in service created by the temporary suspension of traditional food distribution avenues, including schools. If you can give, please click here http://fbvp.convio.net/covid-19.
Donate online to The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.
Help Local Animal Shelters:
Donate to shelters in need.
Foster and adopt! Local animal shelters have been forced to close to switch to on-line adoptions only or have implemented adoption appointments. Contact your local shelter to make an appointment or ask about fostering an animal in need.
Donate to the Norfolk SPCA Pet Pantry. The Pet Pantry is open daily from 9:00AM – 4:30PM, neighbors in financial need are encouraged to seek pet food and treats from the Norfolk SPCA. But, supplies are limited. To help keep this program running, they are seeking donations of wet and dry dog food. Call or email Tessa Slinn at 757.622.3319 x110 or [email protected]
National Nonprofits:
Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP)
The CDP COVID-19 Response Fund to support preparedness, containment, response and recovery activities for those affected and for the responders. The focus is on supporting local nonprofit organizations working in areas identified as having high numbers of affected individuals and those who are working with the most vulnerable populations
World Health Organization
The Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund
The fund will enable us to:
- Send essential supplies such as personal protective equipment to frontline health workers
- Enable all countries to track and detect the disease by boosting laboratory capacity through training and equipment.
- Ensure health workers and communities everywhere have access to the latest science-based information to protect themselves, prevent infection and care for those in need.
- Accelerate efforts to fast-track the discovery and development of lifesaving vaccines, diagnostics and treatments
