While following the CDC's recommended guidelines and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' 30-day stay-at-home executive order, there are still many ways we can support both our local and national communities during this unprecedented and difficult time. SRE is proudly invested in our communities and we feel that, together, we can all make a positive impact! The following offers a few suggestions on how you can help.

 

Support Restaurants and Cafes

You can help local restaurants stay in business by ordering takeout, or if you are unable to or unwilling to do that, simply purchase gift cards and/or merchandise! Another great way is to support servers and other restaurant employees that have been laid off by donating to a nonprofit such as the Restaurant Worker's Community Foundation.

 

Support Nonprofits

Local and national nonprofits are struggling with increased demand while having to cancel crucial fundraising events and activities. Listed below are a few national nonprofit organizations you can help but we also encourage you to check in with smaller local nonprofits you may have supported in the past.

  • American Red Cross: The nation is facing a severe blood supply shortage, but the American Red Cross has had to cancel all blood drives. Healthy individuals are encouraged to make an appointment or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to make a life-saving donation today.
  • CDC Foundation: Supports the critical health protection work of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Foundation is raising emergency response funds to enable the CDC to respond to COVID-19. You can donate here.
  • Meals on Wheels: Delivers nutritious meals to the country's most vulnerable seniors. Donations will replenish food supplies, subsidize additional transportation and personnel, and enable tech-based efforts to check in on isolated elderly recipients. You can contact your local provider or donate to the national group here.

 

Help Seniors Who Are at Risk

Older people are amongst the most at-risk individual of contracting the virus, so if you know someone who is elderly, offer to shop and deliver groceries or simply offer to call them and check in on a daily basis. Being alone during this trying time can be scary and knowing someone is thinking of you and checking in daily can do wonders for mental health as well as physical well-being. Also, if your loved one is in a facility, respect the rules of the facility. These rules and lockdowns are in place to protect the residents from potential exposure.

 Help Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups

 Animal shelters and rescue groups across the nation are also feeling the strain and are having to reduce services and cancel fundraisers to protect their staff but are still required to care for their      animals. Animals are also being surrendered to these organizations in high numbers due to pet owners struggling to care for their animals and pay for their upkeep. You can help by adopting or  fostering a pet as suggested by the Humane Society of the United States. You can also consider a monetary donation or simply donating much-needed supplies such as pet food or cat litter.    Additionally, while placing online orders, shop on AmazonSmile and select the Humane Society of the United States, or another rescue organization as your preferred charity, so a portion of your purchase supports their work.

Posted by Heather Hudson on
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