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How You Can Help the Greater Houston Community Combat the Effects of COVID-19

How You Can Help the Greater Houston Community Combat the Effects of COVID-19

With shelter in place orders issued for Houston area counties and an extension on social distancing until April 30th, you might find yourself with some extra time on your hands. Here are some ways to keep yourself active and busy while giving back to the community and helping vulnerable groups such as the elderly.

NOTE: If you are sick, do not volunteer. If you have any underlying conditions, please consider opportunities to support organizations that are utilizing “virtual or remote” volunteer opportunities.

Donation Opportunities:

With blood drives being canceled, blood donation organizations are in dire need of donations.

The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has tools to locate a donation center here.

American Red Cross appointments can be scheduled here or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

An America’s Blood Centers location near you can be found here. 

DirectRelief provides personal protective equipment and essential medical items to health workers responding to coronavirus (COVID-19) in all 50 states and 80 countries. Donations can be made here. Be sure to select “direct my donation to” and “Coronavirus Response.”

Firstbook is an organization that provides basic hygiene supplies and books to children in low-income communities. Donations can be made here.

Restaurant Workers Community Foundation directs funds to individual restaurant workers and organizations leading efforts in the restaurant community and also provides zero-interest loans to businesses during this time.

Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston has partnered with Meals on Wheels to provide a week’s worth of food at a time for seniors. Operation IMpact is taking donations here.

Jim McIngvale, otherwise known as Mattress Mack, is asking for donations Donations are accepted through his gofund me page here.

Target Hunger provides food for those in need including seniors. You can sign up to make a donation here. 

Kid’s Meals Inc delivers meals to pre-school children in need. You can make a donation here.

Southern Smoke Foundation is a crisis relief organization for people in the food and beverage industry. Donations are being accepted here.

The Houston Humane Society Pet Pantry is providing free pet food and supplies to pet owners who need assistance. You can donate through their amazon wishlist or through their website.

The Texas Diaper Bank is accepting donations through their amazon wishlist. 

Volunteer Opportunities:

The Houston Food Bank needs volunteers to pack food kits for at-need individuals and families, many of who are not in a position to conserve food. The food bank is taking steps to keep volunteers safe. Volunteer groups have decreased in size to implement social distancing and cleaning has increased in frequency. Learn more about volunteer shift types and register here.

The Katy Christian Ministries is asking for volunteers to deliver food for families. You can sign up here.

Become a volunteer at Kid’s Meals Inc. Pack lunches in the kitchen or deliver meals on wheels to homes of children in need.

Sign up to be  a volunteer at Target Hunger and deliver meals to those in need including the elderly.

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston needs volunteers to run its drive-thru food pantry. Sign up here. 

The Beacon of Downtown Houston needs volunteers to distribute sack lunches to the homeless. Sign up here. 

The Texas Diaper Bank is also asking for volunteers to create kits for families and repackage diapers and wipes.

Other Resources:

The Alzheimers Association has an article over Tips for Dementia Caregivers

Senior Living Specialists of Houston has a helpful article of frequently asked questions about senior communities.

Although Houston area school districts are closed, they are providing free meals for families who depend on school-funded meal programs. Click here for a list of school districts serving meals and their pickup times.

Houston Methodist has made virtual non-emergency urgent care available. More information is available here.

The Brookwood Community is delivering citizen-grown flowers to you or a friend. To order email robertg@brookwoodcommunity.org or call 281-375-2136.

DISCLAIMER

The information above has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness.  You should do your own investigation of any charities you choose to support. Rapp & Krock, PC presents the information in this article for general education purposes only. Although this article discusses legal issues, it is not legal advice. The law and the content of any linked website may have changed since this article was written, and Rapp & Krock, PC makes no warranty or guarantee about the continuing accuracy of the information presented. Use of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship, and Rapp & Krock, PC does not represent you unless and until we are expressly retained in writing.

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