How You Can Help The NC Community During Coronavirus

WUNC is compiling the following list of organizations asking for support during this unprecedented time. This post will be updated periodically with new information. Are we missing important efforts underway around the state? Please email bbustwebber@wunc.org and we will be happy to review your submission and update this list.

The Triangle-based organization’s mission is to activate volunteers to help charitable causes in our local community. Stay updated on both in-person and remote volunteer opportunitiesonline and viaFacebook.

A Helping Hand provides support to senior citizens, especially those with disabilities. The group is collecting canned food, non-perishables, household goods and cleaning supplies to distribute to senior citizens. You candonate online to support this effort.

The Animal Protection Society of Durham is accepting donations of pet food to assist pet owners facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. The organization is in particular need of adult wet canned food and small bites dry dog food (to accommodate small dogs). Donations can be mailed to 2117 E. Club Blvd, Durham, NC 27704 or dropped off outside the shelter's front door.

A Place at the Table, a cafe located in downtown Raleigh, allows customers to pay what they can afford. They are currently seeing increased demand, serving more than 200 meals per day to those who are hungry and unable to pay. The cafe is open for curbside service Wednesday through Sunday for breakfast and lunch. Learn more about A Place at the Table and make a donation to support their efforts on their website.

The Alliance of Aids Services - Carolina is still connecting with clients via phone, email and telehealth. Online donations from the community are welcomed to help stock the group's food pantry or physical checks can be mailed to: The Alliance of AIDS Services - Carolina, 1637 Old Louisburg Rd., Raleigh, NC 27604

The Center for Volunteer Caregiving is offering grocery shopping and pickup/delivery services for adults aged 60+ in Wake County. Volunteers who are willing to do grocery shopping and medication pickup and delivery are encouraged to fill out an application online.

The group is also asking for homemade cards and positive messages to distribute to older adults who are isolated for Operation Senior Smiles. More information on Operation Senior Smiles is available via a flyer online.

The Town of Chapel Hill has expanded the eligibility criteria and funding available through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides low-income residents in urgent need of rent and mortgage assitance with a one-time payment of up to $2,000. Donations can be made by check to the Town of Chapel Hill and mailed to 405 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Please indicate in the memo "Emergency Housing Assistance Program." A receipt will be provided for each tax-deductible donation.

CORA Food Pantry serves residents in need of food in Chatham County. The organization has seen a sharp increase in need from area residents during the COVID-19 crisis. Members of the public are encouraged to donate canned veggies, fruits and proteins as well as paper grocery bags. Information about food donations and volunteer opportunities is available online. Monetary donations are welcomed as well.

Covering the Triangle is an urgent community effort formed by local physicians, Eric Westman, M.D., M.H.S., Wickham Simonds, M.D., Larry Greenblatt, M.D., and Duke medical students to bring together corporate partners, local sewers and donated products to ensure the most at-risk North Carolinians are covering their faces during the COVID-19 outbreak. Please visit the group's website if you are interested in creating or donating facial coverings. Monetary donations are also welcomed online.

The Diaper Bank of North Carolina is based in Durham and also has branches in Wilmington and Winston-Salem. All three branches are distributing thousands of diapers and other hygiene items to partner agencies each week while taking extra precautions to ensure safety during the COVID-19 outbreak. Community members are invited to purchase items on the organization's Amazon Wishlist or donate online.

Duke Health is accepting donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) including N95 masks, surgical and looped masks, sealed or unopened boxes of gloves, and eye protection such as face shields. Inquiries related to PPE may be sent to PPEdonations@duke.edu. More information on drop off locations is available online. 

The Durham Arts Council has launched the Arts Recovery Fund to help support members of the arts community impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Funds will be distributed by the organization through an online request process to arts organizations and individual artists. Members of the community are encouraged to donate online to support this effort.

Donations are welcomed to El Centro Hispano's COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund to support community members who have been impacted due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Feeding America operates a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries across the U.S., and is accepting donations to itsCOVID-19 Response Fund. To learn more and support efforts at the national level, visitfeedingamerica.org. To support your community or affected communities directly, please use theFeeding America food bank locator.

Feed the Fight Chapel Hill is a community fundrasier providing fresh meals from local restaurants to UNC healthcare workers on the front lines of the coronavirus. Community members can support local restaurants and show appreciation for the medical community by donating online.

As schools and workplaces close, many are turning to the food bank for assistance. The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina has set up a dedicated COVID-19 Relief Fund that you can contribute toonline.

North Carolina-based coffee company Joe Van Gogh has started Fuel for the Frontlines which is a way for the community to donate coffee and baked goods to local healthcare personnel, grocery staff and first responders. Visit Joe Van Gogh’s website for more information and to donate. 

Healing Transitions is a non-profit organization that helps those who are homeless or uninsured with substance use recovery and temporary shelter. The public is asked to send encouraging notes to staff and program participants who are experiencing higher levels of stress during the coronavirus crisis. Letters can be mailed to 1251 Goode Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 to the attention of "Staff Support" or emailed to lwilliams@healingtransitions.org. Monetary donations are also welcomed online.

Health Connect South is actively building out a directory of healthcare entities requesting donations of supplies, equipment, staff and financial donations by state. Please visit the organization's website for more information.

The Hope4Healers Helpline (919-226-2002) is a new initiative from the NC Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Psychological Foundation. The hotline provides mental health and resilience supports for health care workers, first responders and their family members who are experiencing stress during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Hope4Healers is recruiting additional licensed behavioral health professional volunteers to support this helpline. Those interested can learn more about volunteering online.

The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service provides food and shelter to Orange County residents experiencing housing and food insecurity. To donate and view the organization's current needs, please visit this webpage. Grocery donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 9am-4pm at 100 W. Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill. Please call 919-929-6380 with any questions.

Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is in desperate need of canned fruits and vegetables to continue supplying emergency food boxes. The organization has been distributing 1,500 food boxes and BackPack Buddies each week across seven counties since the onset of COVID-19. More information on requested items and donation locations are available online.

North Carolinians can also consider making a financial donation to support COVID-19 response effortsonline.

Jewish Family Services is encouraging the donation of non-perishable food. Donations can be dropped off on Mondays in a collection box outside of their office. More ways to help including volunteer opportunities are listed ontheir website.

NC Artist Relief Fund is a collaboration between Artspace, PineCone, Theatre Raleigh, United Arts Council, and VAE Raleigh to support creative individuals who have been financially impacted by gig cancellations due to the outbreak of COVID-19. 100% ofdonated funds will go directly to musicians, visual artists, actors, DJ’s, dancers, teaching artists, filmmakers, comedians, and other creative individuals and arts presenters.

The fund is a state-wide resource to provide fast access to cash grants for North Carolina restaurant and hotel workers immediately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Each applicant will be eligible to receive up to $500 in assistance. Determinations for awards will be based on the level of demonstrated need, the number of years worked in the hospitality industry, and employer’s verification.

North Carolinians cango online to apply for assistance, learn more information or donate to the fund.

The popular hyperlocal social networking service has launchedHelp Map which the company describes as, “an interactive map of your neighborhood where you can mark yourself as someone who can pitch in for neighbors who need it.

Orange Congregations in Mission is a private, non-profit ministry located in Hillsborough. The food pantry is in need of nonperishable food donations, particularly the following items: canned chicken, canned tuna, pasta sauce, canned pasta meals, peanut butter, jelly, mayonnaise, baked beans, fruit, crackers, cereal, rice, canned vegetables, baked beans, pinto beans and snacks.

The food pantry is located at 300 Millstone Drive, Hillsborough and is open 9 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. Please contact Kay Stagner at ocimsrm@embarqmail.com for more information or call 919-732-6194, ext. 12. Monetary donations are also welcomed online.

The Orange County Emergency Operations Center is requesting donations of non-perishable, unopened food, unopened hand sanitizer, pet supplies, and baby/child care items. Donations can be dropped off at Carrboro Town Hall at 301 W Main Street or Hillsborough Town Hall Annex at 105 E Corbin Street on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Please call (919) 245-6111 Monday through Friday for more information.

If you have items to donate but do not wish to drop them off in person, please fill out this online form. Monetary donations are also welcomed through the Orange County Community Giving Fund. Please select School Supplies and the Food Pantry option from the pulldown menu.

The State Archives of North Carolina needs volunteers to spend time at home helping to transcribe archival records through its “Transcribe NC” project. Volunteers 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.

Visit theproject’s webpage for instructions and tips for transcription, a guide, and an instructional video. You can send a message to archives.webedit@ncdcr.gov for more information.

Blood drives across North Carolina have been canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Healthy individuals are desperately needed toschedule an appointment to help patients in need of lifesaving blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma. The organization has implemented additional precautions to ensure the safety of donors and staff members.

Donors are encouraged to give at The Blood Connection’s Donation Center at 5925 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. Donors are encouraged tomake an appointment, however walk-ins are welcome. The Blood Connection centers have been deep cleaned, and precautions are in place to protect donors.  

The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center has launched a "one-stop" portal to sign up to help nonprofits that are serving the food insecure in our community during COVID-19. This page will be continuously updated. Find volunteer opportunities here.

UNC Health is accepting donations of personal protective equipment (PPE). If you or your company have a supply of masks, hand sanitizer, or other essential medical supplies please donate them to help protect healthcare workers and patients. More information on drop off locations and requested items isavailable online.

Monetary donations are welcomed online to support the COVID-19 Response Fund.

The UNC Medical Center is now collecting convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients to help current UNC Health COVID-19 patients, under FDA guidelines. UNC School of Medicine researchers are planning a clinical trial to analyze coronavirus antibody responses in patients who receive convalescent plasma. More information for potential donors is available online.

The community is encouraged to donate to the United Way of the Greater Triangle's Rapid Response Fund. Donations will support residents of Wake, Durham, Orange, and Johnston County needing access to critical resources.

Urban Ministries of Durham is continuing to provide three meals a day to shelter residents, unsheltered homeless and others who are hungry, while employing social distancing and other preventive measures. The public can purchase items from the organization’sAmazon Wish List to be sent directly to the facility and monetary donations are welcomedonline.   

Urban Ministries of Wake County is still taking volunteers who feel well for various roles. Please visit this dedicatedCOVID-19 Preparedness webpage or email volunteer@urbanmin.org for more information on these opportunities. You may also donate to Urban Ministries of Wake Countyonline.

Residents with extra cleaning supplies and protective equipment can donated them to Wake County to help protect first responders and public-facing service staff involved in the COVID-19 response. The county is accepting hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray and wipes, N95 face masks, exam gloves, and antibacterial soap. Those interested in donating can call 919-856-6946 or email volunteer-donations@wakeeoc.com.

WakeMed will acceptdonated supplies to be allocated to the areas of greatest need as it relates to COVID-19 response efforts. Currently, the biggest need is additional personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks. Anyone with unopened PPE and supplies is urged to email WakeMed at info@wakemed.org with details regarding available items.