How to Help Your Community During and After COVID-19

Many people may be struggling because of COVID-19. For instance, some have been laid off of work. Kids are home from school. Bars and restaurants have closed and now rely on take-out orders and driver-to-door delivery services. The Coronavirus has resulted in people needing assistance, so we’re giving you ideas on how to help your community.

These are the Ways You Can Help Your Community

Choose one or more of the following to help those who’ve been affected by COVID-19. Anything you can do would be most appreciated.

Donate to Foodbanks

Below is a list of Ohio Foodbank you may consider donating food or monetary donations to.

Greater Cleveland Foodbank—Seeks to bridge the meal gap, connecting individuals with the nutritious meals they need to succeed. They’re the largest hunger-relief organization in Northeast Ohio. The GCF served more than 350,000 people in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland and Richland counties in 2019. Click here to learn about how you can help the Greater Cleveland Food Bank during COVID-19.

Spencer Community Cupboard—Serves those in need in Spencer, Ohio, and surrounding communities through outreach programs and the weekly food pantry.

All Faiths Pantry—A simple and practical program that delivers nutritious groceries to seniors and people with limited mobility once a month at no cost to the recipients. With their direct deliveries to clients’ homes, they’re practicing their vision of a community where diverse individuals and groups unite to feed the under served. Visit All Faiths Pantry Facebook page to see how you can help during COVID-19.

Assist Specific Communities

United Way of Lake County—They go after their community’s toughest challenges and work toward changing the odds for their community’s most vulnerable residents. Click here to see how you can help during COVID-19.

Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund—Designed to the work of public health officials and expand local capacity to address all aspects of the outbreak as efficiently as possible. The Rapid Response Fund will provide grant awards on a rolling basis to nonprofit organizations in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties.

Cleveland Heart Association—Fights heart disease and stroke and strives to improve and save lives. Go here to learn about resources available during COVID-19.

The Gathering Place—Opened in Beachwood in 2000 to support, educate, and empower individuals and families currently coping with the impact of cancer in their lives. Programs and services are provided free of charge.

Help Animals

Cleveland APL—Their mission is to foster compassion and end animal suffering. Incorporated in 1913, they’re an independent, nonprofit humane society located in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood. Click here to see how you can help during COVID-19.

Neighborhood Pets Cleveland—A program of Friends of the Cleveland Kennel. Friends of the Cleveland Kennel (F.O.C.K.) provides the necessary medical, enrichment, and comfort care to animals at Cleveland Animal Care and Control. Along with offering resources to the Cleveland community to reduce shelter intake and improve the wellbeing of animals. Go here to donate to their COVID-19 fund.

City Dogs—Founded in 2003, City Dogs provides necessary medical, enrichment, and comfort care to animals at Cleveland Animal Care and Control and offer resources to the Cleveland community to reduce shelter intake and improve the well being of animals. Click here to see how you can help during COVID-19.

Friendship Animal Protective League—Is a private, independent, non-profit [501(c)(3)] humane society founded in Elyria, Ohio, in 1957.  They own and operate the largest animal shelter in Lorain County. Their members incorporated on August 30, 1957, as the Lorain County Animal Protective League. They changed their name on October 30, 2005. Go here to find out how you can help during COVID-19.

Help and Support Your Local Community

Keep in mind that before you donate to an organization, you may want to research it. You may wish to visit Charity Navigator, so you can find and read about an organization before donating. If you receive an email or phone call about donating to a local nonprofit, make sure it’s legitimate. Unfortunately, scams have been on the rise because of the Coronavirus. While you may want to help, make sure you’re donating to a trusted nonprofit.

Don’t miss a post! Sign up to receive the latest updates.

Posted In: Local Events