How to help Utah during the COVID-19 pandemic
By Saige Miller on April 13, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shape everyday life, the need for help increases just as quickly.
Utah’s unemployment rate is skyrocketing. In fact, more people applied for unemployment benefits in the month of March than all of 2019. Those who have access to a job and a paycheck are slowing becoming the minority. Many Utahns are struggling with meeting basic needs for themselves and family.
So, how can you help the growing need of Utah residents if you have the means?
Here are some organizations you can donate to, to help your community as all work to navigate this difficult time. Remember, we’re not alone–we are Utah Strong.
Utah Food Bank
The Utah Food Bank provides meal boxes to families, mobile pantries, and grocery rescue. They also work hard to fight child hunger. You can donate your money, time, and extra food.
United Way of Salt Lake
United Way helps Utahns going through rough times weather the storm. They provide rent/mortgage assistance, childcare, and food.
TipYourServer
Thousands of service workers are currently displaced due to restaurants around the state closing down. Ty Burrell, from the show Modern Family set up a relief fund for servers and cooks to make it through this tough time. After all, servers rely on tips to pay their bills, not a paycheck.
Feeding Our Frontlines
This organization helps feed healthcare workers fighting on the frontlines during the pandemic.
UServeUtah
UServeUtah provides multiple means to offer assistance. Everything from money to help non-profits to donate personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, for healthcare workers.
Navajo Relief Fund
The Navajo Nation is facing a higher rate of infection than most communities. Navajo Native Americans are struggling to keep up with the demand for medical supplies and access to critical information. Many homes on Navajo territory lack basic essentials, like electricity and the internet. There are multiple ways to help. For more information and to donate, click here.
The Rape Recovery Center
Community members facing abuse at home need a place to turn to for help. The Rape Recovery Center is a place where victims of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse can turn to for support. To donate, click here. Side note, it’s also Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Utah Domestic Violence Coalition
Along the same lines at the Rape Recovery Center, the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition provides crucial support and resources for victims of domestic violence. Since ‘stay at home’ orders have been in place, counties around Utah have experienced up to a 75% spike in domestic violence reports. To help victims, click here.
Boys and Girls Club of Utah
The Boys and Girls Club provides support for youth and their families. During this time, the club is providing Youth Development Professionals that connect with youth virtually to provide emotional, physical, and mental health support. To donate, click here.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Utah
This organization aids Utahns going through serious mental illness struggles and helps reform the mental healthcare system. A lot of Utahns are facing mental roadblocks due to the pandemic, and NAMI helps those navigate their mental illness. To help out, click here.
Volunteer opportunities
Donate blood
Many blood banks are running low on blood as people aren’t donating. If you have the ability to donate blood, contact the Red Cross or ARUP.
Donate plasma
People who have recovered from the virus have antibodies in their bodies that help fight off the infection. If you’ve recovered from COVID-19, consider donating your plasma. To donate, click here for the Red Cross and a list of plasma centers in Utah.
Donation Drive for Navajo Nation
The Navajo Nation that’s located in Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona are in need of donations to protect themselves against the virus. The nation needs medical supplies and community needs such as cleaning supplies and food. For more information, click here.
Silicon Slopes Serves
An array of actions to be taken with Silicon Slopes. You can donate money, time, or medical supplies. Silicon Slopes also aids in public health and K-12 education efforts.
Just Serve
Just enter your zip code and Just Serve will give you a plethora of ways you can give back to your community.
Utah Coronavirus
The Utah Coronavirus Task Force has put together a list of different opportunities to lend a helping hand.
If you know how to make fabric masks, those are an amazing resource to donate to healthcare workers, grocery store employees or anyone who is in constant contact with the public.
Is there an organization we missed? Send us a message on Facebook and we’ll update accordingly!
Let’s help out where we can because we are all in this together.
