Coronavirus Support: How To Help Others — Or Get Help — In Metro Atlanta

Rebecca Etter | WABE

March 23rd, 2020

There are many different ways to support those affected most by the coronavirus crisis.

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In the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many have asked how they can help their community.

That could mean many different things, including financial relief for service industry workers, volunteering for a meal delivery program or even just sharing resources specific to those in need.

We’ve compiled this list of Atlanta organizations and beyond that are working to soften the blow to those affected most by the coronavirus pandemic.

Support For Seniors/Meal Assistance:

Food4Life Atlanta Survival Program has organized a large scale grocery delivery operation so that those most affected by the pandemic do not have to choose between food and their health. Donate directly here.

Open Hand is packing thousands of frozen and shelf-stable meal boxes to be delivered in response to the pandemic.  It is limiting its volunteer program to staff only but is taking financial donations as well as shelf-stable food contributions.

Meals On Wheels has seen an increase in the number of volunteers lately, but the organization is still very much in need of financial donations to keep pace with the growing demand that the pandemic has created.

A.G. Rhodes has had to restrict visits from friends and family at its nursing homes due to the dangers of the coronavirus. You can write to the residents and staff letters of encouragement during this difficult time.

GoodR is partnering with Atlanta Public Schools to identify families in need during this time. You can sponsor a meal pickup and delivery here.

Atlanta Community Food Bank is experiencing a huge increase in need while the pandemic impacts families in Atlanta. Every $1 can provide food for four meals.

Support For Those Experiencing Homelessness:

Gateway Center – The Gateway Center houses 369 men experiencing homelessness. The pandemic has forced them to cancel fundraisers, and right now, they need financial donations as well as supplies to help protect their residents.

Atlanta Mission is continuing to serve the nearly 800 individuals in their shelters. They are asking for supplies of urgent need like cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer as well as financial donations.

Love Beyond Walls has been busy installing portable handwashing stations all over Atlanta. They have limited their volunteering to comply with social distancing, but financial donations can ensure they can continue to provide support to those experiencing poverty or homelessness.

Duse Coffee is collecting donations to make hygiene kits for those experiencing homelessness in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nicholas House is a nonprofit shelter that needs support to serve families every night and expand both rental assistance and homelessness prevention programs for families affected economically by COVID-18.  They had to cancel a fundraiser and are in need of financial donations as well as contributions of hand sanitizer, sanitizing supplies, and non-perishable snacks for children home from school.

Support For The Service Industry:

Relief Atlanta has compiled a list of restaurants and businesses and ways to support them and their staff during this time.

Tip An Atlanta Server is a campaign asking people to tip a local service industry worker when they have a drink at home during social distancing. The payments are made through Venmo or Cash App. Refresh their page to get a new person to support.

Rally for Restaurants is hoping you will choose a restaurant to support, share on social media then challenge a friend to do the same.

The Giving Kitchen is committed to providing financial relief to folks in the service industry experiencing hardship year-round. They have pledged to provide support to any food service worker diagnosed with COVID-19 or under medically ordered quarantine.

ATL Family Meal is a community of Atlanta area chefs, restaurant owners, volunteers, donors, hospitality workers, and business/non-profit leaders rallying together to help feed Atlanta hospitality workers during and immediately after the COVID-19 crisis. ATL Family Meal is asking for financial donations and volunteer drivers.

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A post shared by ATL Family Meal (@atl_familymeal) on Mar 24, 2020 at 5:14pm PDT

Support For The Entertainment/Creative Industry:

Atlanta Arts Emergency Fund will support artists unable to work or in quarantine.

Entertainment and Industry Workers Affected by COVID-19 is a Facebook group that offers countless resources to the Entertainment Industry workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Adobe is offering free Creative Cloud tools to students until May 31. They have also put together a resource hub for educators to aid with distance learning.

Kimono My House (Virtual House Concerts) was created by Atlanta musicians at the beginning of the crisis to support social distancing and flattening the curve. It is a place where musicians can connect and play shows using Facebook Live and even receive financial support from the audience.

The Georgia Council for the Arts has put together a working list of resources for support.

Creative Capital is constantly updating a list of resources for creatives experiencing loss of work or financial hardship during the pandemic.

Support For Families:

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta launched a dedicated COVID-19 hotline to answer questions from Georgia’s families – call 404-785-7955 seven days a week between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to speak with one of our experts.

United Way and Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta is providing immediate support to those most vulnerable to the economic and health-related issues caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. You can help with emergency assistance, health services, and additional critical needs such as childcare and food by donating here.

Food Finder is a mobile and web app that gives food-insecure children and their families a way to find free food assistance programs quickly.

Atlanta Public Schools is providing emergency student meals at designated anchor sites. You can volunteer or donate goods here.

DeKalb County School District students can receive a free bagged lunch daily Monday through Friday at any one of their 30 meal sites.

*School districts all over Atlanta are providing support and resources to families. Please check here for your district.

Support for Animals:

Angels Among Us is asking for financial and supply donations, foster homes, forever homes and virtual volunteers.

LifeLine Animal Rescue is in desperate need of short-term foster homes and adoptions to take the strain off their staff.

FurKids were forced to cancel its most vital fundraiser of the year and needs donations.

PAWS Atlanta is in need of financial and supply donations, as well as foster and forever homes.

 

Supporting Farmers:

The Farmer Fund needs your financial support to continue growing and providing healthy, local food in this uncertain time.

 

Please help us add to this list by emailing COVID19@wabe.org.

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