In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to keep everyone safe, sadly the big birthday serve-a-thon has been cancelled. But that doesn’t have to mean we have to cancel our desire to help others.
In this time of uncertainty, we need each other more than ever. Even doing something as simple as reaching out to friends who may be isolated – or higher risk – check on them and make sure they are okay. If there is anything we have learned recently, it’s to appreciate the things we previously may have taken for granted – like human connections, toilet paper, or going to the store.
So no serve-a-thon but let’s still do fun things and MAKE A DIFFERENCE this month anyway! And SHARE it with me — social distancing but socially sharing 🙂
Here are some opportunities close to my heart:
UMOM New Day Centers in Phoenix. Everything that matters starts with a home. UMOM provides shelter and services for people experiencing homeless – they just added more beds to accommodate even more families. It’s more than shelter — they help with job skills and emotional support and education to support a life past homelessness.
Donate
St. Mary’s Food Bank who alleviates hunger by gathering and distributing food to sites that serve the hungry. They are currently looking for volunteers to help with food bank support. https://firstfoodbank.wufoo.com/forms/volunteer-signup/
Vista del Camino Food Bank. The Vista del Camino Food Bank provides food boxes and homeless walking bags to Scottsdale residents and persons experiencing homelessness up to 6 times each year.
Donate non-perishables to benefit Vista del Camino’s Food Bank. Drive through and drop off bins will be available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5.
Three locations are available:
- First Baptist Church of Scottsdale (7025 E. Osborn Road, 85251)
- Shepherd of the Desert Church (9590 E. Shea Blvd, 85260)
- Pinnacle Presbyterian Church (25150 N Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255)
About Care is an agency that delivers caring and compassionate support services using trained volunteers with special concern for the elderly and physically-challenged homebound residents of the SE Valley. They are currently looking for volunteers to be grocery runners and make calls to elderly residents to ensure preparedness. https://www.aboutcare.org/volunteers
Other things you can do:
- Donate blood (there is a great need for it right now!)
- Support small businesses via Local First Arizona
- Check-in on people in your community or family who may need support