Girls’ Night In – I Want To Help Others

1- Support indie bookstores

“Come help and support local/indie bookstores while they are closed (if you are able). A part of your purchase goes to supporting bookstores.” -Jamie E

Get your next read 👉

2- Help those who need it in your community

“Find a safe way to take some food to the elderly, disabled (like me), or immunocompromised in your community.” – Scarolet E

3- Celebrate birthdays (and other occasions) with local businesses

If you’re looking to share a small gesture of thanks or “I’m thinking of you” right now, you can support a local restaurant or bookshop by sending friends or loved ones a meal or book from somewhere nearby that’s using delivery to stay open. It’s like two acts of care wrapped into one.

4- Discover which local restaurants and bars around you have donation links to support service industry workers

“Many restaurants and bars have donation links to directly support staff who are without jobs right now. I recommend making a donation in a friend’s name to a place that holds a lot of memories for you, or somewhere you like to go together. You get to help someone out and let a friend know that you’re thinking of them at the same time!” Olivia H.

5- Spread the word about companies that are hiring

This is a tough time for many, many people. It’s important to acknowledge that. We’re keeping friends and loved ones looking for work in mind as we find resources like this one.

Share with a friend 👉

6- Donate blood to the Red Cross (if it is safe and you are able)

The Red Cross is in “critical need” of blood donations due to the staggering number of blood drives they’ve had to cancel due to the current situation. The need for donors hasn’t gone away, and you might just be able to help!

Donate now 👉

7- Donate to your local United Way fund

United Way is currently partnering with organizations in your city (or at least close by). They have a nifty page on their website where you can search for the place that you call home and offer assistance to your community.

Donate now 👉

8- Share this list of resources with anyone struggling to afford pet care

Many people have to sacrifice pet food and care to be able to care for their families during this time. Use this resource of ways to get pet care items and assitance so you can keep your furry friends at home and out of a shelter.

Read more here 👉

9- Keep your dog engaged and entertained with 5-10 minutes of activities a day from Tails of Connection

If you’ve already maxed out on daily walks with your dog, try offering them mental stimulation in addition to physical activity. Tails of Connection is a Slack community and online challenge to help you teach your dog a few new tricks, practice and maintain obedience, and also strengthen your bond through fun games! Plus all that thinking will tire them out.

Read more here 👉

10- Support your favorite small businesses by sharing them online

If you can’t financially support your favorite local shops or online businesses, tag a few of your favorite stores on social media and share an item you’re looking forward to saving up for, an item on your wishlist, or an item you think a friend might like.

11- Support restaurants and restaurant workers in your neighborhood

They’ve been there for you — now it’s time to show up for them. The team at Bon Appétit shared a list of ways to support your local restaurants and their workers right now.

Read the full article here 👉

12- Brainstorm ways to help your next door neighbors

Set aside 5-10 minutes (or more if you can spare it!) to brainstorm ways that you might be able to help your neighbors — from a safe distance, of course. This might look like posting encouraging signs or notes around the area, planting flowers to brighten someone’s day as they walk by, or simply waving when you notice folks around. A little encouragement goes a long way!

13- Donate to your local shelter

Give them a call and ask what they need. No better time than now to (carefully!) drop off a care package of much-needed supplies or food items.

14- Check out GNI’s small business shop

“One thing you can do right now if you’re unsure how to help others is to shop from small businesses. Bonus points for any small businesses in your area! To help you out, we made this shop of some of our favorites.” -Alisha, GNI team

Shop local 👉

15- Host a 5k to benefit The Bethesda Project

“You can host a virtual 5K on behalf of Bethesda Project, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter, housing, and supportive services to adults experiencing chronic homelessness in Philadelphia. It’s so fun – you invite friends to join an online group, charge an “entrance fee,” and run solo at their own pace and over any length of time! Participants can post on their own social media accounts letting people know they’re running a virtual 5K and encourage their friends to make a gift online! It’s a great way to help the community while being active.” -Sarah

Host a 5k 👉

16- Separate your worth from your ability to help everyone right now

Your worth starts with who you are, not what you do. We’re all doing our best to help out right now and this post from @lisaoliveratherapy is a good reminder that how “good” of a person we are does not depend on how much we can do or help right now.

See the full post 👉

17- Support small businesses you love

Whether they’re local, in your hometown, or online only, they need it now more than ever. We curated a collection of a few small businesses that we love too.

See the shop 👉

18- Become a volunteer Crisis Counselor for Crisis Text Line

Crisis Text Line is the free, 24/7 text line for people in crisis in the United States. The service is powered by volunteer Crisis Counselors who work remotely — anywhere with a computer and secure internet connection works.

Click here for more information 👉

19- Help provide space for healthcare workers if you can

Airbnb is helping to provide housing for COVID-19 responders by recruiting hosts and raising funds for the folks who are serving on the front lines of this thing.

Find out how you can help 👉

20- Support these organizations in their fight to help restaurants, workers, and farmers during this pandemic

It’s a tough season for small businesses, and these organizations are helping to alleviate the pressure on the service and agriculatural industries.

Get the list 👉

21- Buy gift cards from local businesses for future use

Local businesses could really use your support these days, and an easy way to offer it is to buy gift cards or merch from your favorite spots for future use! You’re literally paying it forward.

22- Step in for friends and family who work in health care

Know someone who works in the health care field? Support them by offering to watch their children, their relatives, or their pets. Deliver groceries, walk their dog, or give their parents a call to check in.

23- Check in on the health care workers in your life

Call, text, DM, or email your friends and family in the health care field and ask them how they’re doing. Give them time and space to respond, because they might be working (or might just be tired). They’ll appreciate your kind words.

24- Help older loved ones by sending notes and offering help

Older folks in our community are experiencing heightened uncertainty and isolation at this time, but you can help by calling to check in, sending a note of encouragement to let them know you’re thinking of them, or offering to run errands if it’s safe and possible to do so.

25- Donate to your local food pantry

We’ve all seen the empty shelves at the grocery store. Now more than ever, we need to come together as a community to support those who are in need. Consider donating food or non-food items to your local shelter, food pantry, or similar organization in order to support our neighbors during this uncertain time.

Donate herE 👉

26- Support Indianapolis local businesses

Live in the Indy metro area? Buy a gift card from one of these local businesses to show your support.

Buy a gift card 👉

27- Back to Stay Home Take Care Home

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