How to volunteer, donate in central Pa. during coronavirus pandemic

As Pennsylvania, and the nation, struggles to respond to the growing coronavirus pandemic, many are already feeling the effects - not just of the disease itself, but of the social distancing and shutdowns of schools and businesses intended to stem the rapidly growing number of COVID-19 diagnoses.

And as many are struggling to make ends meet in the face of reduced hours, furloughs or other lost income, or the loss of other public services on which they rely, many organizations public and private are hoping to meet their needs.

Stefani McAuliffe, vice president of community impact with the United Way of the Capital Region, said with school not in session and businesses closed, there is an immediate need for food, shelter and clothing. Many people have called United Way asking about services.

Those who need help can call a 211 non-emergency line to connect them with programs and services based on where they live, she said.

Moving forward, McAuliffe added there are a lot of unknowns about what resources people will need in the future. For now, she noted agencies are focused on short-term needs.

“This is truly a unique situation, and it’s fluid, day by day,” added Tim Fatzinger, United Way’s president and CEO.

To that end, several organizations are in need of help as the number of COVID-19 cases grow. And if you’re in a position to offer your own assistance, here’s how you can help, either by volunteering or submitting financial donations.

If you operate an organization assisting the community during the coronavirus pandemic and are in need of volunteers or donations, please submit information by emailing features@PennLive.com. We will continue to update this list.

Before you volunteer:

Anyone who is interested in volunteering should be aware of the guidelines for preventing the spread of the coronavirus, which includes limiting gatherings to less than 10 people and keeping a distance of at least six feet from others whenever possible.

If you have any reason to think you are infected, or may have been exposed to someone who was infected, stay home and practice the self-isolation guidelines suggested by the Center for Disease Control.

The American Red Cross is looking for community organizations to host blood drives, due to the current severe shortage of blood. Interested parties can contact Laura Hughes at laura.hughes2@redcross.org to coordinate efforts.

For information on how to give blood individually, click here to visit the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region website. You can also click here on information on how to donate financially.

Healthy Steps Diaper Bank

Healthy Steps Diaper Bank is seeking donations to replenish its stock as diapers and other necessities become hard to find or afford at stores. The nonprofit is the only diaper bank serving central Pennsylvania and provides diapers to families in need in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties. Donations being accepted through PayPal.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank non-profit needs volunteers to help pack Crisis Response Boxes. The volunteers will be separated into groups of 10 or less, and accommodations have been made to increase the distance between them and adhere to CDC-recommended cleaning and sanitation precautions. Interested parties can contact volunteer manager Chris Grey at cgray@centralpafoodbank.org or visit centralpafoodbank.org.

Click here to donate directly to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

The Contact Helpline runs the 211 phone line, a 24-hour informational and referral service that helps connect callers to services such as SNAP, unemployment compensation and other vital resources for assistance. (Note that this is not an emergency number, and that life or death calls should still go to 911.) Contact Helpline is looking for volunteers, who can be quickly trained and can take calls from home. Volunteers must have access to a computer, internet and appropriate headset for phone conversations, which can be as simple as a gaming headset or a pair of earbuds. Interested parties should reach out to Kelly Gollick at kgollick@contacthelpline.org.

Click here to donate to the Contact Helpline.

The Harrisburg School District is looking for volunteers to help with family food box distributions from 4-5 p.m. on March 27. Meals are being distributed to families at Foose School, Rowland Academy, John Harris Campus, Cougar Academy at the Lincoln Administration Building, Downey School and Ben Franklin School in the city. Contact Ruth Rivera at covid19@hbgsd.us for more info.

Follow this link for a list of community fundraisers that benefit the Harrisburg School District.

The New Hope Ministries is a Christian-based social service agency that provides services such as help with food and basic needs, job placement and skills training, help with rent, mortgage, transportation and more. The group is looking for volunteers to help pack and carry food, particularly with the possibility of home deliveries to people who need them. For more information on how to help, visit nhm-pa.org/ or call 717-432-2087.

Details on donating food, resources and time can all be found by following this link to New Hope Ministries.

Those looking to help can also register with the State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Pennsylvania, a database which organizations can use to reach out to those interested in lending a hand. Visitors will be asked to submit their names and contact information, as well as any training or certifications relevant to statewide emergencies. Click here to register.

The United Way of the Capital Region is accepting donations for its COVID-19 Basic Needs Fund, which serves those in need in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties. Donations can be made on the United Way’s website, or print this check payment form and mail to the United Way.

The Salvation Army, another Christian-based charitable group, is also accepting donations for My Brother’s Table carry-out breakfasts and dinners, which are made available to anyone in need throughout the week. Donations of items are appreciated: the group specified a need for fruit cups, individual serving size bags of chips and cookies, bottled water, saltine crackers, individual servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, canned vegetables, plastic silverware, individually packaged hand wipes, disposable coffee cups with lids, disposable soup bowls with lids, napkins, and disinfecting wipes.

Click here to donate to the Salvation Army of the Harrisburg Capital Region, and add COVID-19 in the memo section to ensure the funding goes toward the coronavirus relief efforts.

Cumberland Goodwill Emergency Medical Services is a nonprofit group that provides life-saving care to the Carlisle area. Those looking to donate can send their money specifically to the organization’s COVID-19 relief fund, which goes towards funding for masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles to protect the EMS providers. Click here to donate to the COVID-19 fund.

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