The coronavirus is disrupting nearly all aspects of our lives for the foreseeable future. And as headlines grow more ominous, it’s easy to feel powerless about changing the course of the pandemic while diligently washing your hands for the umpteenth time on a given day. (To be clear, experts urge washing your hands regularly and practicing social distancing to help stop the virus from spreading.)

While we all can do our part by social distancing and staying at home, there are other ways to help the most vulnerable people among us.

Join a mutual aid network or volunteer your time 

If you’re able, you could volunteer to run errands—shop for groceries, pick up prescriptions, go on toilet-paper runs—for people who experts are strongly encouraged to stay at home. In addition to efforts led by organizations, “mutual aid networks” are popping up in every ward of the city, with volunteers setting up fundraising efforts, childcare services, and food drives to help those struggling through the pandemic.

• This comprehensive Google Sheet has contact information and links to ward-by-ward mutual aid networks.
• The DC Mutual Aid Network Facebook page is an up-to-date and comprehensive collaborative page consisting of both those in need and those offering services. Whether it’s a senior in need of groceries or individuals seeking cleaning supplies, there are several opportunities to donate both time and money.
• The Table DC is compiling a growing network of local helpers. To add your name, fill out this Google form. 
• DC Dream Center is in need of volunteers for cooking, meal prep, and to hand out resources. All volunteers will be provided a mask and gloves.
• Miriam’s Kitchen is seeking donations for its emergency flex fund. The money goes toward collecting ingredients for meals and purchasing emergency supplies like masks and gloves for residents in need.
• A GoFundMe is collecting monetary donations for The Capital Area Food Bank, which provides meals to over 450 different food assistance programs in the area.
• The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is seeking volunteer social media advocates to assist in disseminating the organization’s updates with the community. They are also calling for certified teachers to help deliver e-learning services to children in need.

Help students and their families 

Low-income students may be missing meals or other resources they would normally get at school or struggling to get instruction that has largely moved online. While school districts are stepping in to help, it may not be enough.

• The parent-teacher organization at Shaw’s Seaton Elementary is raising money for students during the pandemic.
• Nonprofit FirstBook is collecting donations for low-income students who need books and hygienic supplies.
• An ad hoc group called DC Solidarity Housing has a sign-up sheet for residents willing to put up students who may be displaced during the outbreak.
• A group of teachers started a GoFundMe campaign to buy $100 grocery gift cards for every Arlington student who qualifies for free or reduced lunch (an $830,000 tab).
• Nonprofit Martha’s Table is providing every family with a child involved in its education program with a weekly stipend, gift cards for groceries or food delivery services, and educational content for at-home learning. Donations to support this service can be made by check or over the phone. 
• The Manna Food Center is a large food bank that works closely with Montgomery County public schools. They are currently providing meals for any MCPS student regardless of age, and are seeking monetary and food donations, as well as volunteer support. See how you can help on their website. 

Support local businesses, their employees, and gig economy workers 

Service workers immediately felt the effects of the crisis, with many other industries unfortunately quickly following suit. Unemployment claims have reached unprecedented highs, and many are worried about paying rent and other expenses.

• For the District’s many chefs, waiters, and bartenders, you can donate to the Coronavirus Worker Relief Fund, a partnership between Park View tavern and event venue Hook Hall and the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington
• Buy a gift card to your favorite local spot using this super handy, crowdsourced list of places that allow people to buy gift cards online.
• DC Coop Emergency Fund is a collaboration between several D.C. cooperatives that is raising money to support worker-owners amid coronavirus shut-downs. Donations will be given directly to local worker-owners and street vendors who are not eligible for unemployment.
• The One Fair Wage, an organization that fights to abolish the tipped minimum wage, established an emergency relief fund to support area restaurant and hospitality workers, and gig economy workers like food delivery ride sharing drivers.
• DC HIPS, No Justice No Pride, and other sex work advocacy organization started a GoFundMe to support sex workers impacted by the crisis. The funds will be put toward providing essential supplies and food to trans sex workers of color, as well as paying for motel rooms for sex workers who need a safe place to stay or need to quarantine.
• This Google doc includes ways to directly support individual freelancers around the area. Give a monetary donation through an individual’s venmo, purchase a service or piece of art, or boost their business on social media.

Donate blood 

Hospitals across the area continue to be in desperate need of blood donations. In mid-March, the Red Cross reported a loss of 86,000 blood donations as a result of cancelled blood drives (in response to the shortage, the FDA has loosened restrictions on donations). Here’s where you can donate in the area.

• Schedule an appointment to donate at the National Children’s Hospital.
• Washington National Cathedral is partnering with the Red Cross to host a four day blood drive from April 15-18. Sign up on the Red Cross’ website and use the sponsor code “National Cathedral”
• To find the closest Red Cross blood drive near you, visit their website and search your zip code.
• Due to a shortage in donations, INOVA Blood Donation Services has cancelled its drives and is accepting donations through appointment only at one of their donor centers. 

Feed health care workers 

Local nurses, doctors, and other medical staff are working on the frontlines of this crisis. Local fundraisers and organizations are seeking donations to keep these essential workers fueled as they fight against the coronavirus.

• The Meal Bridge DC is supporting workers at Sibley Memorial Hospital by providing the staff with meals from local restaurants. You can sign up online by selecting a shift unit at the hospital and which restaurant you’d like to deliver the meals.
• A D.C. resident has started a GoFundMe collecting monetary donations to support the staff of local hospitals’ emergency room staff. A donation of $5 to $10 can provide one meal, and so far the fundraiser has collected over $3,500 dollars.

Support immigrant families and workers

While Events DC recently approved $5 million in relief aid to undocumented workers, refugee and immigrant families in the area may still face exclusion from the federal aid package if they lack a social security number. Local advocacy groups are organizing efforts to help these at-risk communities secure food, housing, and childcare support.

• Sanctuary DMV partnered with local advocacy organizations to collect funds for local immigrant families that may not receive a government stimulus check. The fundraiser asks those who are able to donate all or a portion of their check to residents whose immigration status prevents them from receiving the federal dollars.
• Tables Without Borders launched a program for refugee chefs to receive payment in return for cooking meals for Ayuda DC, an organization that provides legal, social, and language services to vulnerable immigrants in the D.C. community. The program is seeking donations to help pay the chefs that will cook 1,500 meals for at-risk immigrant families and furloughed restaurant workers in the area.
• Sewcial Distance DC is seeking volunteers to sew masks for refugee communities and individuals experiencing homelessness in the area. Sign up to sew using this Google Form. 
• Mary’s Center is a wraparound non-profit community health center that works to treat at-risk residents in the area, including those that are uninsured and undocumented. The center seeking monetary donations to support its expansion of telehealth services, personal protective equipment purchases, and COVID-19 testing kits for uninsured patients.