Right now, with everything being dominated by the coronavirus, we can all feel a little helpless. Mostly what we can do is wash our hands and try to stay distanced from people to try to not spread the virus.
Luckily, there are ways you can help from the comfort of your home — or maybe your car.
Valley of the Sun United Way organized a fund for nonprofits who might be overwhelmed right now. Their partners deal with things like child care services and homelessness. The Arizona Community Foundation created something similar on their website and you can choose which region of Arizona you’d like to see your donation go to.
Local First Arizona put together a video explaining how you can help small, locally owned businesses stay afloat during this time by buying gift cards or delivery services.
Even everyday people are trying to raise money for local businesses. A KJZZ listener emailed us with a GoFundme she started with her aunt and cousin to help relieve places in the community she doesn’t want to see gone when people can start going back into restaurants and shops.
Maybe you don’t have money to spare right now, but you grabbed an extra pack of toilet paper or a few too many cans of non-perishables. Food banks across the Valley are accepting donations, as well as some senior living facilities.
There is also now a websitethat can direct you if you have personal protective equipment like masks, gloves and goggles that can be used in hospitals and other healthcare facilities and where you can donate them locally. If you’re a business that needs protective equipment, you can request it there too, and you’ll be linked with someone in your community who might be able to help, offering mail-in or curbside pickups.
