Dear friends of Cresset,
As life is being upended and we are faced with uncertainty, we hope everyone is prioritizing health, families, and communities. Many of us may feel helpless as things unfold for those who are most vulnerable in our communities and around the world and our Cresset Cares group has compiled some ideas of how to give back during these unprecedented times:
Help Neighbors
As more cities face lockdowns, those who are at the highest risk of contracting the virus (immunocompromised and elderly) have few ways to attain food and other basic needs. Consider joining local community groups on Facebook or Buy Nothing to connect with those in your neighborhood. Another option is leaving notes in mailboxes or fliers at community/health centers with your phone number and any offers to help with shopping, etc. Take care to avoid actual contact with people by leaving any purchases on doorsteps. *This option may become limited if/when stricter quarantines are put in place so be sure to keep up with local mandates.
Donate Blood
Blood drives across the US have been canceled in the past several weeks while demand for blood is growing. Locate a blood bank nearby through the Red Cross.
Spend Money with Local Businesses
While Amazon is booming, local businesses will struggle to stay afloat in the coming months. Consider purchasing gift cards to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, boutiques, community theaters, etc. This will help them with cash flow in the short term until they can open their doors. Order books, games, journals, etc. from local bookstores.
Continue to Pay Hired Help
If possible, consider continuing to pay (or partially pay) housekeepers, nannies, personal trainers, and others through these challenging times. Many fitness instructors are switching to virtual training which could be a win-win for their income and your health.
Donate Resources Locally
- Food banks are overwhelmed with need as thousands of children and individuals rely on school for their meals and to make a living. Check out Feeding America or Foodpantries.org to find a food bank near you.
- Community Foundations around the US are creating funds for COVID-19 relief. Search The Council on Foundations to find one in your area.
Grant Money
For a comprehensive guide on the effects of the virus and how to effectively give, we recommend the Center for Disaster Philanthropy which uses real-time data around needs and funding sources to support local nonprofit organizations who are working with the most vulnerable populations to help build their capacity for response. The CDP also has excellent strategies for large donors and family foundations.
This is not a comprehensive list and needs/protocols will change day to day. Hopefully, through sharing information and collaborating we can all make a small difference for those most affected by this pandemic.
Please take care of yourself and remember that we are all in this together,
Your Team at Cresset
