What do you need or what can you give in this crisis? We’re connecting people with people
Anyone who lived through Hurricane Andrew knows South Florida is capable of coming together in a time of crisis.
That’s why the Miami Herald is launching People Helping People to assist local people in meeting the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
As cases grow throughout South Florida and all over the state, we face many difficulties.
Closed restaurants, bars, stores and hotels have led to layoffs and deepening economic crisis. With schools shut down, working parents must scramble to find childcare. Medical workers and staff at assisted living facilities are confronting the enormous task of caring for a population in danger of infection.
Our neighbors have lost paychecks and stability. We have all lost peace of mind.
But we are strong, and as we distance ourselves to get through this, we can also come together.
Maybe you need or have to offer food, a job or housing. Some agencies stand ready to help as well.
For instance, you can apply for Reemployment Assistance (formerly known as unemployment compensation) if you were working in Florida.
Feeding South Florida has launched a COVID-19 Response Fund to help support those in need. The nonprofit serves Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties, including access to its food pantry and home delivery.
Big companies also are coming to the rescue, with breaks on bills for internet and phone service.
But help also comes in the form of regular people helping people. If you can help, let us know how. And if you need help, let us know what we can do.
And let’s not forget Miami’s nonprofits and foundations. They also are coming to the rescue.
How can I help during South Florida’s COVID-19 shutdown?
United Way Miami in partnership with the the Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald has launched Operation Helping Hands to establish the Miami Pandemic Response Fund. The Miami Foundation and Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau have joined United Way in providing seed funding of $350,000 to aid families and small businesses through a network of nonprofit partners responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those interested in donating can:
▪ Visit https://unitedwaymiami.org/ohh_covid19
▪ Call 800-226-3320
▪ Give via Venmo @UnitedWayMiami
▪ Give via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/2169193
The Miami Foundation has also created a Community Recovery Fund to help local nonprofits whose operations are affected by COVID-19. The foundation has seeded the fund with a $300,000 contribution to support local nonprofits with “long-term recovery, resilience and financial stability,” according to the foundation. Funds will be granted to qualifying Miami-Dade-based nonprofits on a rolling basis, depending on how long fundraising continues.
Nonprofits in need of financial support or individuals, businesses, corporations or donors interested in contributing to the fundraising should visit miamifoundation.org/COVID19Response for more information.
Brad Kilgore, owner of four Miami restaurants, including Wynwood’s Alter, partnered with Miami real estate broker Felix Bendersky to run a fund dedicated to helping former restaurant employees. The Miami Restaurant Employee Relief Fund aims to deliver $250 grants to full-time Miami-Dade employees who have been out of work since governments ordered restaurant dining rooms shut to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Those interested in donating can visit www.gofundme.com/f/miamirestaurantemployeerelieffund
Hands on Miami and Hands on Broward have developed a “Hands on at Home” program that gives people the opportunity to participate in volunteer programs without leaving their couch. The projects will help “support vulnerable residents and nonprofits in need,” according to the organization.
Some of the projects listed include sending hand-written or email letters to those in need, DIY craft projects, and recording a video of yourself reading a children’s book and posting it on Facebook or Instagram. If you’re still in school, service hours are available. To learn more about the program or to make a donation, visit www.handsonbroward.org/at-home
Hands on Broward says Chef Fran and the team at Joseph Dreamhouse are also distributing food to families suffering from food insufficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Southwest Ranches.
Those interested in learning more about the food drive or are interested in volunteering should visit www.handsonbroward.org
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This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 5:25 AM.