Many people observing stay-at-home orders and practicing social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic are using their newly freed-up time to take up baking, start quarantine book clubs, recreate famous works of art at home and even perform the drum solo in Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight using … kitchen cabinets. There’s something for everyone, right? But what if you want to do more than entertain yourself during this strange and uncertain time? What can one person do to help others? Turns out, there’s lots of things. If you’re looking for something to focus on outside your own four walls and family, check out these inspiring ideas for ways to help until things get back to normal.
- Be a text or phone friend for someone who is at higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Offer to walk a dog or do yard work for someone who can’t.
- Heart to Heart International is creating hygiene kits for people in need. You can sponsor a kit for just $10.
- Donate blood — you can find a blood drive in your area through the American Red Cross website.
- Help kids keep up their reading skills by giving to First Book, an organization that has been working to remove barriers to quality education since 1992.
- Consider giving to World Central Kitchen/Chefs for America, a vital meal delivery service that’s providing nutritious meals to individuals and those working in hospital and clinical settings during the pandemic. If you have the time or ability, you can also sign up to volunteer.
- Make a face mask for yourself and others, using these instructions from the New York Times or these from DIY site Instructables.
- Join a “caremongering” group to provide assistance to those who must stay at home or volunteer to grocery shop for at-risk groups like the elderly.
- Get your kids involved in a card-making campaign.
- Still not sure how you want to help but have a little extra money to share? Check out Charity Navigator.
Experts say that the pandemic is far from over at this point, but that’s no reason to lose hope or humor. Stay busy, take breaks for self-care, find things to laugh at and make time to connect with neighbors and loved ones. And remember: even at a distance, we’re in this together.
To learn more about how COVID-19 is affecting our industry, check out Intouch’s repository of POVs and blog posts.