COVID–19 and How You Can Help With Immediate Needs in the Community

Due to the closing of many schools and workplaces, our community is experiencing difficulty and there is an increased need for resources.

As many of you are reaching out to us and asking, “How Can I Help?”, below are some of the requests we have received.

Important Note

Please follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) protocols:

  • Avoid gatherings of more than 10 people
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds
  • Cover your mouth with tissues or into your sleeve whenever you cough or sneeze, and discard used tissues in the trash
  • Avoid people who are sick with respiratory symptoms
  • Clean frequently touched services
  • Provide and use alcohol-based sanitation and cleaning supplies
  • Consider wearing gloves and minimizing touching people and shared surfaces
  • Avoid touching your face

It is critical that you self-quarantine if you are experiencing any respiratory symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath. If you have been sick but are feeling better, stay home for at least an additional 48 hours after your fever has gone away (without the use of any fever-reducing medications).  If you have been exposed to someone with coronavirus or someone who exhibits these symptoms, please socially distance yourself until you have been tested.

Below are some urgent and immediate needs in our community:

Food Donation

HOPE of Winston-Salem

Immediate Needs:

  • Sliced Bread and
  • Bottled Water

Drop Off Location: 355 NW Crawford Place – Winston-Salem, NC 27105

Drop Off Days/Times: Wednesday – Friday 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. , Saturday 9 a.m. – Noon

For Further Information Contact: info@hopews.org

Education

WS/FCS 

Immediate Needs:

  • School Supplies
  • Bottled Water

Drop Off Location: 4307 Idlewild Industrial Drive, Winston-Salem, NC

Drop Off Days/Times: Weekdays 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For Additional Information Go Here

Health

The American Red Cross is facing a SEVERE BLOOD SHORTAGE, due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the coronavirus outbreak.  The American Red Cross strongly urges healthy individuals to give blood or platelets to help patients in need. If you are healthy, feeling well and eligible to give blood or platelets you can make and appointment to donate.

Immediate Need: Blood or Platelets

To make an appointment to donate: Use Red Cross Blood Donor App or visiting RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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The Community Health Alliance – Mobile Health Clinic: ( They partner with The Salvation Army Center of Hope ) and are in need of:

  • Hand Sanitizer & Hand Soap
  • Disinfectant
  • Dial anti-bacterial soap
  • Lysol
  • Kleenex and
  • Wipes
  • Non-latex Gloves

Drop Off Location: The Salvation Army, Center of Hope, 1255 Trade St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101

Drop Off Days/Times: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Note: You can drop it off at the left door to the facility or  you can also order online and have the items delivered to the above address.

The Bethesda Center for the Homeless:

Urgent needs:

  • Cans of Lysol
  • Disinfecting Wipes
  • Toilet Paper
  • Ziploc Bags (Sandwich & Quart)
  • Disposable Razors
  • Liquid Hand Soap
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • 39 gl Trash Bags
  • Ready to Eat Meals (Mac-n Cheese, Vienna Sausages, etc.)
  • Wash Cloths/Towels
  • Cases of Water

Due to limited space, they are not accepting clothing.

Drop off donations, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, please contact Nate Hoots at (336) 722-9951 ext. 1425″

City with Dwellings:

Volunteers are needed to stay overnight, assist with check-in, and assist at the shelter as those staying prepare overnight.

Check Here for Volunteer Needs: https://www.citywithdwellings.org/volunteer

The Community Health Alliance – Mobile Health Clinic

They partner with The Salvation Army Center of Hope and are in need of:

  • Hand Sanitizer & Hand Soap
  • Disinfectant
  • Non-latex Gloves

How to help:

  1. Order on Amazon and Deliver to: Salvation Army, Center of Hope, 1255 Trade St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
  2. Drop off Supplies at: Salvation Army, Center of Hope, 1255 Trade St NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101″

Samaritan Ministries

Samaritan Ministries in need of some additional supplies, which can be ordered and delivered directly to Samaritan through their Amazon wish list. You may also deliver via their back donation door–please see their website for a list of most-needed items and drop-off hours.

They are also in need of additional volunteers to help with their to-go soup kitchen and overnight guest operations, as some regular volunteers who are at higher risk for COVID-19 complications are unable to help for the foreseeable future. If you are interested in volunteering and feel comfortable doing so, you can visit this link for their volunteer registration portal.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC:

Their Volunteer Center is open and you can sign up here. However, as per our year-round policy, if you are not feeling well, please wait until you are better to volunteer with us.

We’ll be posting updates here. Meanwhile, if you are able, please support our Virtual Food Drive and, if you need food assistance, please use our Agency Finder Tool.”

Senior Services:

The the best way to help would be to collect shelf stable items, like canned meats and such. Please drop off your donations in the big red box located in the Meals-on-Wheels pick-up room (2895 Shorefair Drive).

The list we have for our food drive now includes:

  • Tuna fish
  • Vienna sausage
  • Chef Boyardee
  • Soup
  • Green beans
  • Corn
  • Pork and beans
  • Peanut butter

That is a great way to provide food for seniors in the event we are not able to deliver every day. They also need grocery bags and old ice packs.

The Shalom Project:

They need assistance with food pickups and organization of the food pantry. Those tasks would be done on Mondays/Wednesdays/ or Fridays and can be flexible on time frame. If you are interested in volunteering please contact communityoutreach.shalomproject@gmail.com

 

Other Ways You Can Help

We may feel helpless in these difficult times – but every small thing each of us can do will make a difference.

There are virtual volunteer opportunities that help organizations and that you can do without leaving your home. Click here for more info.

The health of all residents is of utmost concern to us, and the social distancing measures being taken are imperative to “flatten the curve.” At the same time, Forsyth County’s businesses, restaurants, bars – and their employees – are being severely impacted. Local nonprofit organizations are doing all they can to meet increased demands with fewer staff and volunteers. Our amazing healthcare providers are working tirelessly to treat and protect us.

Please buy gift certificates from local businesses. Shop at their online stores. Order takeout and delivery (doing so while social distancing). Buy merchandise from a local musician or artist. It all adds up and can save jobs and keep businesses open.