U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams said on Thursday that we should ‘all consider’ donating blood to help fight the current nationwide shortage.
Major nonprofit organizations in the Greater Boston area are stepping up to help those less fortunate amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Among the nonprofits that have announced ways to help those most impacted by both the health and financial impacts of COVID-19 are the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, the Boston Foundation, the Boston Resiliency Fund and the American Red Cross.
The formation of the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund was announced by Gov. Charlie Baker and First Lady Lauren Baker to help assist those most impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. The fund will help support essential front-line workers and other vulnerable communities, partnering with a network of community foundations and nonprofits with deep roots in their communities and boots on the ground to deploy the funds quickly.
The Boston Resiliency Fund said it is offering one-time operating grants which will provide food to the city's children and seniors, technology to Boston Public Schools for remote learning and support for health workers and first responders.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has set up FrontlineMA.org, a new website for first responders and health care workers. There is a section to set up PPE donations, help provide meals and even house frontline workers.
The Boston Foundation announced the establishment of the COVID-19 Response Fund which aims to "rapidly deploy flexible resources or organizations in Greater Boston that working with communities disproportionately affected by the outbreak."
The Greg Hill Foundation has teamed up with Samuel Adams to support those in the Massachusetts restaurant industry who have been impacted by coronavirus-related closures. Their goal is to provide $1,000 grants to as many qualifying full-time restaurant workers as possible. To donate to the fund, click here, and to apply for a grant, click here.
The Red Sox Foundation announced the creation of the Red Sox Foundation Emergency Hardship Fund to help those who are experiencing food insecurity in New England and Southwest Florida as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants who demonstrate financial hardship will be eligible to receive a $250 grocery vendor gift card, subject to available funds. Those who are in a position to help sustain the fund through a philanthropic donation may contribute by visiting redsoxfoundation.org/hardship.
The United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley announced they have established the COVID-19 Family Support Fund, which will help hourly and low-wage workers during the epidemic.
"We will mobilize our broad network of nonprofit agencies throughout the region to provide a flexible source of cash assistance to help families weather the COVID-19 crisis. These agencies have a proven and long track record of working with United Way to administer flexible emergency assistance for families impacted by income disruption. One time grants of up to $2000 will be made to help families impacted by the COVID-19 crisis meet their basic food, childcare or housing needs," read a statement on the United Way's website.
The United Way of Central Massachusetts and Greater New Bedford have also established funds seeking to assist those impacted by the outbreak.
The Greater Boston Food Bank is also looking to help people in need of food, especially given that the coronavirus poses an even greater threat to food insecure populations.
The YMCA of Greater Boston is also offering meals and services to those in need and is accepting donations.
More on the Coronavirus Outbreak
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts is raising money to support nonprofits in the Pioneer Valley.
The Foundation for MetroWest has established an Emergency Relief Fund to support nonprofits addressing the most immediate needs or experiencing significant financial challenges due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Greater Worcester Community Foundation has established a COVID-19 Response Fund to support a community-wide response to the outbreak in Worcester County.
Project Bread is also looking for donations for its "rapid hunger response" to COVID-19.
A group of Boston-area restaurants has also formed Feeding the Frontline to help deliver food to those in need, including hospitals, first responders, vulnerable populations who can't leave their homes and local hourly workers.
Feed Cambridge Families is raising money to buy gift cards for families to use at local supermarkets. People can donate here.
Anyone looking to donate masks or other medical supplies can call 311 if they are in Boston or 617-635-4500 outside of Boston to arrange a donation, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said Friday.
And anyone with a 3D printer who heard about the president of Massachusetts General Hospital's call for 3D-printed medical masks is asked to reach out to researchinstitute@mgh.harvard.edu.
Meanwhile, the American Red Cross is asking for blood donations as the coronavirus outbreak "threatens the availability of the nation's supply."
The organization said because blood drives have been canceled across the country, there have been 86,000 fewer donations. Those looking to donate can do so by visiting the Red Cross website or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
