COVID-19: Need Help, Can Help, or Both
As NYC enters week 4 of handling this COVID-19 crisis, and with no definitive end in sight, a lot of people are starting to realize that resources are starting to run low (in some cases), resources are already at critical levels (in hospitals), and internal resources are wearing out (patience and resolve). However, it is now that people need each other more.
Although the Dave’s New York team is separated, we keep in contact with each other to make sure that there are outlets to speak, connect, and ask for help. Furthermore, we have seen some of our business partners and friends do the same. It has truly been amazing to see how some amazing people and some amazing companies have responded; and continue to respond in these tough times. But that is not the only side of the story. We wanted to highlight how people can get help if they need it, how people can help if they want to, and if you need; how you can do both.
First, let’s talk about those who need help. A lot of people are too proud to ask for help, or they are too stubborn, or they don’t know how. Some people need food, others need masks, and others just need someone to connect with. The best thing that we can suggest is to reach out to everyone in your contact list (email, zoom, text, or even call!) just to say hi and ask if you can do anything for them. There is so much value in offering your help, in giving of yourself to help others, that even if you cannot help the way a person needs, maybe you can suggest someone that can. We are firm believers that if you offer help, then you will in-turn receive help as well.
Here are some links for help (both to give and get help)
NY State: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/get-involved-how-you-can-help
NYC Food Bank: https://www.foodbanknyc.org/
NYC Help Now (need or want) https://www1.nyc.gov/site/helpnownyc/index.page
Do not let a day go by without reaching out to your friends, co-workers, or local community.
Second, we have to talk about those who want to help and have taken action. It is with great appreciation that we see people and companies that are trying to help. We know that there are more, but here are a few of the highlights:
Carhartt - Turning their US factories to make masks and gowns: https://www.carhartt.com/content/covid19
Levi’s - Donating $3 million to relief efforts, and distributing masks, as well as showing people how to make their own: https://www.levistrauss.com/2020/04/02/lsco-commits-3-million-to-covid-19-response/
The North Face - Donating $1 Million to relief efforts, and donating 60,000 gloves to front line workers:
https://www.thenorthface.com/response.html
VF Corp (owner of Dickies, Timberland Smartwool and other brands) - Up to $2 million in relief:
https://www.vfc.com/news/feature-story/70358/actions-in-response-to-covid-19
Hanesbrands - Making 320 Million FDA approved cotton masks:
https://newsroom.hanesbrands.com/face-masks-fact-sheet
Rothco - Working locally to feed veterans in Suffolk County where a lot of places to help are shut down, here is a link to the donation page:
There are endless lists of selfless acts, and there are too many to list. However, if you are looking to get involved, then the best thing to do is reach out to your local Food Bank, Shelter, Church, Synagogue or local municipality and ask what you can do to help. There are so many ways to help, even if you don’t have much to give. Most bigger companies have set up a COVID-19 response page, and others you can reach out through social media. If you are trying to help locally, then please call your local officials or local hospitals.
Lastly, there are people who need help in one respect (charity, food, community) and can help in other respects (making masks, prepping supplies, providing comfort). A lot of people are in this third category. Wanting help and needing help are not mutually exclusive. The best way to find out what can be done is to simply ask how you can help. Find something, anything that you have an excess of, even if it’s just time out of your day to speak with someone who needs to connect, and try to give what you can. If we can all offer our services to someone else, then we can all get through this together.
We hope everyone is staying safe, staying indoors, and most importantly, staying healthy.
Adam, Dave’s New York
Leave a comment