It’s an understatement to say that the COVID-19 crisis has affected SO MANY people in so many different ways. The needs are so overwhelming that I feel powerless against the “bigness” of this crisis, like nothing I do will make any type of impact. But I’ve realized that this is false, and quite honestly, just selfish.
I was on a Zoom call a several weeks ago talking about this topic with a group of wise women, and one of them said: “Do for ONE what you want to do for everyone”. This comment was so powerful for me, and inspired me to just do what I can. My small “offering” may be a drop in the bucket, but I am not helping anyone by doing nothing.
Here are a few ways to help during COVID-19:
- Food Pantry Needs: As you can imagine, the food pantries have critical needs. Minnie’s Food Pantry in Plano is open for donations Wednesday-Saturday from 8:30-11:30am. Their website even has a great guide to hosting your own food drive! Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano and Prosper has donation bins at all times and they will transport donations to food pantries around the area. I have found this is one of the easiest ways to help. It’s so simple to add some extra items to my grocery order and take them straight to one of these locations after my pick up! My kids are usually with me for this and we pray over the groceries on the way to the drop-off bin.
- Hat Creek Burger Dinner Donations: Hat Creek Burger (one of our favorite kid-friendly restaurants!) has an amazing program benefitting Foster Village, a non profit that focuses on supporting foster families and the vulnerable children they care for. This Buy One/Give One program allows you to purchase a hamburger casserole for your family for $18 and then purchase a second one to donate to Foster Village for $9! This is a win win! Feed your own family and feed another one, too. (You can also solely donate a casserole, too!) Just go to Hat Creek’s website, type in your zip code for ordering and you’ll see the Buy/Give option.
- City House is an amazing Collin County organization that protects and empowers youth, newborn to 21 years. Their programs including an Emergency Shelter for children that must be removed from their homes, Street Outreach for homeless young adults, and a Transitional Living Program that helps young adults to grow and learn to live independently. Additionally, they offer countless other resources like counseling and life skills training. City House has many various needs, ranging from meal needs to toiletries, to monetary donations for operations or even hotel rooms for homeless young adults. There are SO MANY different ways to help! You can check out their website, or email Lisa Rodgers at [email protected] for more information.
- Young Lives is a part of the well-known organization, Young Life, that mentors, supports, and encourages teen moms. As you can imagine, these mamas probably need more support than ever during this time. There are several different chapters around the Collin County area, but you can check out their website and contact the McKinney Young Lives coordinator, Sarah Stolzfus, at [email protected] for specific needs.
And lastly, another EASY way to make a difference is by supporting a cause for our sister site, Dallas Moms! They have created some darling apparel, in which sales go to Communities Foundation of Texas. Nothing better than clicking to make a difference and getting a cute t-shirt at the same time! Click here to order!
I hope this post has help you with some ideas on how to lend a hand during this time.
My mom has a quote from Mother Teresa on her wall that says: “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” I know the needs are overwhelming, but every amount means something and makes a difference.
I would love to hear your suggestions and ideas about giving and helping!
