COVID-19 North Carolina Volunteer and Support Resources
- Alyssa Hardbower
- April 21, 2020
- 11 Minute Read
Despite all the challenges the world is facing right now, it’s incredibly inspiring to see our communities pulling together to support one another. While we don’t know what’s ahead, we do know that continuing to join forces in collective action to spread love and compassion with our friends and neighbors will help the healing process.
We’re here, and eager to help. There are so many great movements happening around North Carolina, and we’ll be the first to admit this list isn’t complete. If you’d like to add an organization, relief fund, or way for us to take action to the list above please reach out to happiness@southern-energy.com with a few details.
Health & Wellness
Donate Blood
Blood donations have decreased dramatically. For those who are healthy and able, consider donating blood.
Kindness Calls with Seniors
Activate Good
Help combat isolation and loneliness in local retirement communities by volunteering for Kindness Calls with Seniors!
Hope4NC Helpline
The Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463) connects North Carolinians to additional mental health and resilience supports that help them cope and build resilience during times of crisis.
Hope4Healers Helpline
The Hope4Healers Helpline (919-226-2002) is a new initiative in partnership with the North Carolina Psychological Foundation. It provides mental health and resilience support for health care workers, medical professionals, first responders, and their families.
Crisis Text Line
As we all face new obstacles, it’s important to remember and let others know that the Crisis Text Line is always available. This resource provides free, 24/7 crisis support by text. Just text HELLO to 741741 and they'll connect you with a trained Crisis Counselor.
Fuel the Frontlines
Gabi's Grounds
Behind the Gabi’s Grounds blend is a Big Dream. Gabi is working hard to open her own coffee shop where she will employ others like herself with disabilities. In the meantime, she’s supporting our community by bringing coffee and cupcakes to first responders. If you’re able, consider supporting two great missions at once. Every $1 gift will help Gabi donate one cup of coffee from Gabi’s Grounds.
Healthcare Hero Response Fund
The North Carolina Healthcare Foundation (NCHF) COVID-19 Healthcare Hero Response Fund is partnering with locally owned restaurants in communities across NC to provide meals to healthcare heroes on the frontlines. So far over 5,800 meals have been purchased. For those who are able, you can donate to the fund, or purchase a meal from a partnering restaurant to be delivered to a frontline worker. All are also invited to write a note of appreciation that will be sent to a healthcare worker with a meal!
Feed the Fight Chapel Hill
Feed the Fight Chapel Hill is another cause working with restaurants to feed frontline workers. You can donate a meal, sign up to help if you’re a restaurant owner, or sign up your hospital or medical facility to receive support.
Feed the Fight Durham
Feed the Fight Durham works to support struggling local restaurants to provide support and bolster morale for our local health care professionals. A $25 donation can help with 2 meals, over $48k has already been raised.
Triangle Area Nurses
Triangle Area Nurses is seeking local NC businesses to partner with to help boost nurse’s spirits during Nurses Week this May. Reach out to hello@triangleareanurses.com if you’re interested in offering a discount on products or services.
Food & Hunger
Food Finder Tool
If you are experiencing food insecurity, here is an online food finder tool to help find an agency near you.
Grab & Go Meals for Kids
Food Bank of Eastern & Central NC
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina also has a list of resources for Grab & Go Meals for Kids while school is out.
#GardenToGive
Gardener's Supply
Pledge to join Gardener’s Supply #GardenToGive campaign to help people facing hunger in your community.
Virtual Food Drive & Physical Locations
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, is another local organization you can start a virtual food drive with, or donate food at one of their drop-off locations around the Triangle.
Build a Blessings Box
Here’s a Blessings Box idea from Robert, one of our building science team members. Similar to Little Libraries, a Blessings Box can help provide a meal for someone in need and enable others to help those in their community. This one is set up and tended to by Robert’s community.
Virtual Food Drive
Food Bank of Eastern & Central NC
If you are financially able, consider donating to a local hunger relief program. Maddie, one of our solar team members, has set up a virtual food drive through the Food Bank of Eastern & Central North Carolina that all are welcome to support.
Virtual Visit & Referral Donation Program
Southern Energy Management also partnered with the Food Bank of Eastern and Central NC in 2020. We donated $25 for each virtual solar site assessment and expanded our referral program to include a $250 donation to the food bank when a referral went solar with us. With your support, we were able to donate $9,750 to the foodbank in 2020.
Grocery Shopping for Seniors
Center for Volunteer Caregiving
The Center for Volunteer Caregiving still needs volunteers who are willing to do grocery shopping and medication pick-up and delivery for homebound seniors. To help, complete the volunteer form here.
Take Meals to Homebound Seniors
Meals on Wheels Durham
Meals on Wheels of Durham needs drivers to take meals to homebound seniors! Volunteer for a shift here.
Distribute Backpack Buddies
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
PAVE Southeast Raleigh school needs volunteers to help distribute BackPack Buddies Bags to families on Thursdays and/or Fridays, 11:00am-1:00pm from week of 4/13 through at least 5/15. Email Matthew Bate at mbate@paveschools.org and provide your name, email, and phone number to coordinate.
NC Restaurant Workers Relief Fund
Donate to support NC restaurant workers who’ve lost their job due to COVID-19. Over 15,000 grant applications have already been submitted.
Support Local Farmers
Consider joining a CSA and prepaying farmers for produce to help support them during this time. PapaSpuds, Farm Fresh Carolinas, and The Produce Box are all produce delivery services that work with local NC Farms. Learn where to source fresh produce from local farms and if you are a farmer, there are resources for securing aid too.
Soap & Hope
Interact Family Safety & Empowerment Center
Interact Family Safety and Empowerment Center is in urgent need of cleaning supplies, hand soap, and sanitizer.
The Women's Center of Raleigh
The Women’s Center of Raleigh is also looking for various donations including hygiene and cleaning supplies. You can also support them by purchasing items from their Amazon wishlist.
Spring Cleaning Tips
Here are some Spring Cleaning tips during COVID-19. Friendly reminder that any items left on the curbside that can’t be picked up can create litter and become an unintended hazard.
Wear Your Support
NC Here for Good
Inkfinity Printing is the Durham based screen printing shop partnering with STZLIFE to bring you NC Here For Good. They are supporting the NC small business community by selling shirts designed by local businesses. Each small business will receive $12.50 from each sale of their shirt design. Let your favorite small business know how to participate or show them support and buy a shirt!
One Nation, Under Local
We’re all in this together, and right now is an especially important moment for those who can step up to consider helping others keep the lights on. Check out our local NC B Corp friend, TS Designs’ One Nation, Under Local shirt!
Recover Online Fundraising
Recover Brands is also offering online shirt fundraising for businesses! They are Charlotte based, use 100% recycled materials, and their apparel is made in the USA.
Here for Good NC
Here for Good NC is a similar opportunity to support local small businesses. Every shirt sold is $10 to the small business of your choice. Small businesses can sign up to be on the list, or you can nominate one!
Give Gear
Transitions LifeCare
Transitions LifeCare (the local hospice serving Wake and the surrounding counties) is accepting donations of homemade surgical gowns and masks. If you're interested in helping, you can contact Amy Hatcher at 919-828-0890.
UNC Health, Duke Health, & WakeMed
UNC Health, Duke Health, and WakeMed are all accepting donations of PPE, including handmade facemasks.
Covering the Triangle
Covering the Triangle is another organization that is working to provide free face masks for Triangle Area Residents. Get in touch if you are making masks or donate to help support their effort.
Furry Friends
Foster a Shelter Pet
Humane Society of Charlotte
Consider fostering a shelter animal to keep you company. Most shelters have an online application and have switched to a digital orientation for new foster families.
Donate through Amazon Wish List
Humane Society of Charlotte
Consider donating to your local shelter’s Pet Foodbank. Here’s the Humane Society of Charlotte’s Amazon Wishlist.
Pet Portraits
Activate Good
Draw or Paint Pet Portraits to help pets find a furever home!
Environment
Safety First
Wake County is advising residents not to pick up trash because of the potential for COVID-19 to live on surfaces for up to several days. But if you do decide to go Plogging -- a combination of Swedish words plocka (to pick up) and jogga (to jog) -- please remember to follow proper PPE and sanitation procedures.
Document Your Air Quality
Pledge to share your air (for science) by signing up to take regular air quality measurements with the EC2020 app.
Make Climate a Class
Community educators: pledge to make climate a class and sign up to get educational resources.
DIY Butterfly Feeder
Make this DIY upcycled pie tin butterfly feeder to support our pollinator community.
Earth Stewards
The Earth Stewards is a local group mobilizing young people to help make the Earth more beautiful. You can support them by purchasing a shirt or donating to the GoFundMe.
Donate on Amazon Charity Wish List
North Carolina Wildlife Federation
The North Carolina Wildlife Federation also has an Amazon charity wish list to show your virtual support.
Arts community
NC Artist Relief Fund
If you are an artist, this is a resource you can apply to receive funding from. Help keep our art community thriving, consider donating if you can.
Durham Arts Council
The Durham Arts Council is also accepting donations to help artists out during this time. If you are an artist there is an application form to apply for support at the link below as well.
Students & Education
Transcribe Historic Documents
State Archives of NC
If you need some reading material, you can help improve access to historic documents by transcribing lists, forms, diaries, letters, and other materials from the collections of the State Archives of North Carolina.
Free Resources, Tools, & Discounts
Here are Resources for Students (of all ages, college kids included) & Nonprofits including access to free learning and technology tools! Learn how you can get free Internet for Students from Spectrum from the link below.
Mountaineer Emergency Fund
We have a bunch of Appalachain State Grads at SEM. So many that they get their own team photo at our all team meetings. This relif fund helps students who are struggling with significant, sudden financial emergencies. If you are a student, you can fill out a request for funds here as well.
More COVID-19 Resources
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