How You Can Help During the COVID-19 Crisis

In times of crisis, New Yorkers band together, and this public health crisis is no different. While the best way to help slow the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home and practice social distancing, we’ve provided a list of ways for you to help. From volunteer opportunities, to donating blood, your time, or your money, there are ways we can all support workers on the front lines, those in need of food or shelter, and our small businesses. 

Goddard Riverside

Our partner, Goddard Riverside is continuing its core services during the COVID-19 outbreak. During this public health crisis, their teams are continuing to offer outreach to people experiencing homelessness, supportive housing residences, and providing over 500 home delivered meals every day. Goddard Riverside’s other community programs, from their Early Lean Centers to their Community Arts Program, have switched to an online or remote setting. And, thanks to the Lincoln Square BID's efforts, Goddard Riverside has agreed to set up a dedicated direct link to their relief fund to support local families with emergency needs at the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center, which is run by Goddard. The link is live, so you can give back to our community now! Contributions will be directed towards a family in need of food, medical supplies, transportation or other necessities due to COVID-19. CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

Westside Campaign Against Hunger

The West Side Campaign Against Hunger serves 22,000 hungry New Yorkers each year by distributing 1.6 million pounds of health food and connecting people to essential benefits. As part of their response to the COVID-19 crisis, they will be spending $15,000 more a week on increase amounts of foods, transportation, and operational supplies and to adjust their distribution model to be safe and available for all. You can support their work by making a tax-deductible donation.

New York Community Trust

The New York Community Trust offers grant-based support for NYC charities, and is currently running the COVID-19 Response & Impact fund to provide relief to nonprofit service providers during this public health crisis. The fund will aid nonprofit service providers struggling with the health and economic effects of the coronavirus. It will give grants and loans to NYC-based nonprofits that are trying to meet the new and urgent needs that are hitting the city. Priority will be given to nonprofits addressing essential healthcare and food insecurity as well as arts and culture, because New York is the cultural capital of the nation. Your gift will help nonprofits with a variety of needs, including protective equipment, cleaning supplies, technological assistance, and support for financial losses.

New York City—Help Now NYC

New York City has created a website with resources for those who would like to help in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. On the City’s website lists volunteer opportunities for healthcare workers as well as opportunities to volunteer for non-healthcare workers through New York Cares. Prior to volunteering, please see the safety and guidance procedures outlined to prevent further spread of COVID-19. For those who cannot volunteer, the City also lists ways to donate cash, medical supplies, or space, or to partner with them in sourcing or manufacturing medical equipment.

New York State—Get Involved: How You Can Help

New York State is seeking qualified health professionals to create a reserve workforce to deal with the outbreak. The State is also seeking civic-minded technologists to assist in their response to COVID-19. You can also help by selling or manufacturing gloves, masks, or gowns to the state to provide to those on the frontlines of battling the virus, or donate essential goods, services, or space.

Donate Blood--https://www.nybc.org/donate-blood/covid-19-and-blood-donation-copy/

The New York City Blood Center is urging those who are healthy and able to donate blood to support health agencies. Individuals who have been diagnosed with or have symptoms of COVID-19 or who have recently had contact with someone who has been diagnosed with or suspected to have had COVID-19 should not attempt to donate blood. Those who are willing and able to donate may make an appointment to donate blood via New York City Blood Center’s website.

COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund

Mayor de Blasio has charged the Mayor’s Fund with activating the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to provide resources and support to health care workers and staff, local small businesses, and displaced hourly workers, as well as families, youth and vulnerable New Yorkers. You can support these efforts by making a donation to the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.

Manufacturing and Sourcing Medical Supplies

NYCEDC is seeking businesses with the ability to quickly source or make needed medical supplies such as face shields, gowns, ventilators, masks and other products. If your company has the capabilities to manufacture medical supplies, please complete this Info Form.

City Harvest

From now until June 30, 2020, City Harvest will rescue and deliver over 20 million pounds of nutritious food to meet the increased need during the COVID-19 crisis. You can support them to provide meals to feed children, families, and neighbors by donating cash or food, or by volunteering.

Split a Donation

In response to COVID-19, New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer is urging New Yorkers with the means to do so to split a donation between City Harvest, the New York Community Trust, and the Bowery Mission. The Bowery Mission provides New Yorkers experiencing homelessness or food-insecurity with shelter, clothing, and food.

Support Small Businesses

Our small businesses have been hard hit by this crisis. While retail stores close and restaurants and bars transition to delivery and take-out options, you can support small businesses by buying gift cards to use once the COVID-19 crisis passes or by ordering from small businesses. Our Neighborhood Guide is a directory of businesses in the Lincoln Square BID who can benefit from your support, complete with links to their websites where you may purchase goods or gift cards. Additionally, we have a guide for which restaurants in Lincoln Square are offering delivery and take out during the COVID-19 outbreak.

We will provide updates as new information becomes available, but please check the individual organizations’ websites for the most up-to-date information regarding volunteering or donating to support in COVID-19 relief efforts.

Photo credit: City of New York