Now, more than ever, it’s important that we come together as a community (metaphorically speaking, of course) and help each other out. There are so many worthy causes to contribute to and immeasurable ways to get involved, so it can be hard to know where to start. We’ve gathered up a few resources to inspire you and hopefully provide some sense of direction.
Check out our top five suggestions for how and where you can help out in the Greater Boston area during the COVID-19 pandemic:
1. Donate Blood - With the lack of large public blood drives happening in the last month or so, hospitals are nervous about future blood availability. However, many are still offering sanitary, individual blood donation options. Before donating blood, it’s important that you ensure you’re healthy and meet all the requirements. Some places you can go to are:2. Donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Many hospitals are still in need of PPE to keep their staff as safe as possible. PPE consists of N95 masks, surgical masks, procedure masks, hand sanitizing wipes/disinfectant, scrubs, coveralls, booties, gowns, etc. While every hospital differs in the exact materials they are in need of, almost all hospitals are accepting donations of these materials as unopened containers. Whether you’re a business owner with access to these supplies or an individual with extra in your home, here are some of the major hospitals you can donate to:
Another resource is MassGov’s donation program. If you aren’t physically near these hospitals or located in MA, but want to donate, you can visit GetUsPPE and they will match you with a hospital or essential business near you in need of the materials you have.
Also, consider donating to police or fire departments in your area that are in need of PPE. Some departments in the Greater Boston area include:
3. Sew Face Masks to Donate - If you know how to sew, this is an amazing way to use your talents to get involved. There are many small groups working to gather masks and sewers like Masks for MA, which has had fabric donated by JoAnn’s and donates the homemade masks to hospitals throughout the state. Even if you don’t have a group in your area like this, here are some ways you can help:
How to make a mask:
Where to donate:
4. Volunteer to Deliver for Food Banks - While many food banks have stopped accepting food donations, many are in need of volunteers. For many, this means volunteering to pick up and deliver pre-packaged food to people’s homes. This is a great way to help out while maintaining social distance through contactless delivery. Here are some places seeking volunteers:
For food service professionals who are looking to donate meals:
5. Virtual Volunteering Opportunities - Many organizations are still in need of volunteers in times like these, including.
For more extensive listings in the Boston area, see Boston Cares and Points of Light.