CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK: Here are ways you can give back in metro Atlanta

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Donate to a community meal drive to feed essential workers and homebound seniors. Jim Ellis Audi and Volvo dealerships have partnered with Bold Catering & Design, Old Vinings Inn and Lovies BBQ to provide prepared meals to first responders, medical workers and seniors. The three automotive dealerships, all part of the Jim Ellis family of dealerships, are currently pledging to match a meal for every meal purchased from the public.

Donate food to St. Vincent de Paul In order to continue to feed those in need, SVdP Georgia will be hosting no-contact emergency food drives.

Join a virtual can drive. Instead of going to the grocery store, the community can make a financial donation to Meals on Wheels Atlanta and instantly make an impact right from the comfort of their own house. VENMO @mowatl or CashApp $mowatl and online. SOURCE: Meals on Wheels Atlanta

Support local, urban farmers Your donation to The Farmer Fund COVID-19 Emergency Relief Campaign will help local and urban farmers weather the COVID-19 storm so they can continue providing fresh, nutritious food for children, families and seniors during the pandemic. The fund is led by a coalition of local food organizations: Georgia Organics, Food Well Alliance, Community Farmers Markets, Wholesome Wave Georgia, Global Growers Network, The Common Market Southeast, and Atlanta Farmers Coalition. SOURCE: Foodwell Alliance

Buy a hand washing station for the homeless and displaced Love Beyond Walls is partnering with Lecrae to assemble and install portable hand washing stations for some of Atlanta’s most vulnerable citizens. The stations cost $100 each. SOURCE: Love Beyond Walls

Pack meals with Hands on Atlanta on Fridays Through a partnership with Atlanta Public Schools, Hands on Atlanta volunteers will be sorting and distributing shelf-stable food to families. On Fridays, volunteers will pack meal bags that will be distributed on Monday. The nonprofit asks that you do not sign up if “you have been sick, traveled, or been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 in the last 14 days”. SOURCE: Hands on Atlanta

Make a charitable contribution to children and families experiencing homelessness Our House is currently housing 17 families in its 24/7 emergency shelter and providing aftercare support to over 100 families that have exited their housing program, but still need assistance with household and personal care items, access to transportation to get to and from work, and meals.

Support food service workers Georgia has nearly 500,000 food service workers. The Giving Kitchen is providing emergency assistance to those workers impacted by COVID-19 and will also help workers who contract the coronavirus. SOURCE: The Giving Kitchen

Get essential baby supplies to moms in need Helping Mamas, a baby supply bank, is still working to get diapers and other essential items out to moms and babies. The nonprofit has adjusted its distribution and collection methods to reduce person to person contact while still trying to meet the needs of local families. Donors are being asked to purchase items remotely from Helping Mama’s Amazon Wish List. SOURCE: Helping Mamas

Host a drive for Atlanta Community Food Bank Collect food items or donate online to the ACFB to support an increase in demand of distribution during COVID-19. SOURCE: United Way of Greater Atlanta

Donate to Cobb Community Foundation On March 17, CCF announced it is establishing the Cobb COVID-19 Community Response Fund. This charitable fund will provide flexible resources to non-profit organizations serving Cobb County and meeting critical needs either arising from or exacerbated by the novel coronavirus. SOURCE: Cobb Community Foundation

Give to the IRC’s Crisis Prevention Fund The International Rescue Committee created the fund to help local refugee families who are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “One of our first priorities is ensuring people at higher risk for the illness have the information and resources they need to stay healthy. IRC case managers are providing individualized outreach to all clients, so they understand COVID-19, how to contact their doctor and how to keep their families safe”. SOURCE: International Rescue Committee

Support Latino Community Fund LCF has created a COVID-19 Emergency Fund that will support the work of four nonprofits serving families in DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clarke and Whitfield counties. The organizations are working with area churches to distribute food and financial assistance. SOURCE: Latino Community Fund

Atlanta Survival Program Volunteer as a driver to deliver groceries to elderly and low-income individuals affected by COVID-19. Volunteers are provided with protective equipment and training to prevent the spread of contagions, and are dispatched by organizers to make drop-offs directly outside the homes of people in need. SOURCE: United Way of Greater Atlanta

Donate blood to the American Red Cross Right now, the American Red Cross has a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood. The nonprofit has implemented additional precautions to ensure blood drives and donation centers are even safer for donors and staff. SOURCE: American Red Cross

Open Hand Atlanta Volunteer as a meal packer or delivery driver to serve nutritious meals critically ill and home-bound senior clients. Open Hand plans to pre-deliver meals to clients to help offset the need in advance. SOURCE: United Way of Greater Atlanta

MUST Ministries Donations and Volunteers Needed: Cobb Schools is partnering with MUST Ministries to feed those in need while schools are closed. SOURCE: COBB COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

COVID Relief Fund Give to the COVID-19 Relief Fund and provide immediate support to those most vulnerable to the economic and health-related issues caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. The relief fund was created in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and will be distributed throughout 23 North Georgia counties. Funds raised will focus on providing crucial services to high-risk audiences including seniors, families with children who normally receive free or reduced meals at school, families in need of childcare, homeowners and renters at risk for eviction, and hourly/low-wage workers. SOURCE: United Way of Greater Atlanta

Connect someone with help through 2-1-1. For information about community resources by zip code, Georgians can call United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 2-1-1 Contact Center by dialing 2-1-1 on their mobile phone. SOURCE: United Way of Greater Atlanta

Scholarship Academy Adopt virtual office hours to help students navigating the college admissions process. Volunteers will learn how to facilitate virtual sessions that provide one-on-one support to students. Volunteers who opt to lend virtual support will be assisting students with their 4-year college funding plan, resume building, providing scholarship essay support and conducting scholarship research for a month long period. SOURCE: United Way of Greater Atlanta

Operation Gratitude Volunteers can write letters and send care packages to deployed troops, veterans, wounded heroes and more through Operation Gratitude. Take a moment to thank those who served our country for their commitment and bravery. SOURCE: United Way of Greater Atlanta

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