#314together, How To Help in St. Louis, and Daily Life Changes Due to COVID-19
We’re all probably hurting, sick, stir-crazy or something of the sort in St. Louis right now, and maybe you’re looking for a way to help out. Here are a few ideas. (We’ve also posted some ideas for the just stir-crazy among us here. And a food-situation round-up here.)
If you have been laid off and are looking for work, KMOV has made a list of places hiring.
If you’re in a position to donate money to support those who are impacted the most from Covid-19 in St. Louis here’s a few options:
The St. Louis Community Foundation and United Way have developed two response funds. You can learn more about the COVID-19 St. Louis Response Funds here.
4 Hands is developing one for service workers and asking for a donation to it in exchange for the hand sanitizer they’ve learned to make. You can also call the brewery at (314) 436-1559 to donate or you can find the GoFundMe to help service workers they’ve set up here.
There is also a GoFundMe for service workers in the Grove who are impacted.
There’s also a fund for musicians who can’t earn very effectively without the ability to play gigs. The fund was created by Ben Majchrzak (of Native Sound Recording) “to help any and all music and arts-related industry members that need financial assistance”.
That being said, most of the charities in town are seeing a greater than normal financial need, including those who work with the homeless, domestic violence, food shortages, and hygiene needs could use your help.
Lastly, #314Together is an effort started by The Women’s Creative, Experience Booklet, and @stlgram to support small businesses that are hurting. They are looking for creative ways to support those businesses that are still safe for the community. We have more of those ideas to support local businesses here. They are also selling clothing to support the #314together effort.
By Jack is selling official merchandise of many local artists, organizations and businesses, there is also a STL Strong tee for sale that is donating proceeds to service workers, and STLstyle also has “flatten the curve” apparel that benefits the St. Louis Community Foundation Gateway Resilience Fund.
If you’re looking for something to do that doesn’t involve donating money:
You can petition the local, state and national government to help our service workers. The RFT has published letters to send to Governor Parson and our senators.
American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage, and our neighbors counting on lifesaving blood need our help. Call 1-800-733-2767 to sign up to safely donate blood.
Are you healthy, at a smaller risk, and able to get supplies for those immunocompromised?
Also, The Saint Louis Area Diaper Bank is in need of volunteers to pack supply kits.
You can sign up to receive email alerts from the United Way for either urgent or at-home volunteer opportunities.
Just staying home unless absolutely necessary is helpful for keeping spread down and getting the world back to normal sooner
Grace Meat + Three is offering a to-go Grace Gives Meat + Three plate for $13.50 and giving 15% of each Grace Gives Plate to a furloughed bartender, server, or cook in the St. Louis area. Salt + Smoke is also doing something similar.
CurbsideSTL is curating take-it-home options by neighborhood.
There are many ways our community can band together and help each other out during this pandemic. After all, when there’s a crisis Mr. Rodgers taught us to “look for the helpers.”