You might be stuck in the house, but you can still help out during the COVID-19 crisis. Many local non-profit organizations are seeking donations of PPE (personal protective equipment) for frontline workers as well as monetary donations to support essential workers and keep everyone healthy and safe — and in some cases, well-fed — during this unprecedented time. Below you will find donation and volunteer opportunities in Staten Island and New York City. If you’d like to add to this list, please email our editor at jcintron@siparent-com.go-vip.net.
Feeding Our Frontline
Feeding Our Frontline provides grab & go meals to hospital staff at Staten Island University Hospital (both the North and South campuses) and Richmond University Medical Center.
Donate to feed hospital workers.
Staten Island Not For Profit Association
250 prints have been made by Luke’s Copy shop as a donation to the Staten Island Not For Profit Association’s Covid-19 response efforts. Local artist James Cox’s moving picture depicting Essential Workers “holding up” the Verrazano Bridge is being offered for a donation of $50.19 or more.
Donate to get your copy.
Citymeals on Wheels
For over 18,000 homebound elderly, who are too frail to shop or cook for themselves, these deliveries provide nourishment and a regular wellness check-in. Since the state’s stay-at-home order was issued, Citymeals has delivered more than 120,000 freshly prepared meals to recipients.
Donate to help provide meals for elderly neighbors.
Volunteer to deliver, make cards, pack and serve meals, visit or chat with the elderly and more.
Masks for Staten Island Heroes
This Facebook group was created for people who want to create and donate masks to essential workers. Members share sewing tips, requests for PPE and more.
Join the group
PPE for NYC
PPE for NYC is able to produce over 200 face shields per day, with the ultimate goal of producing 5,000 face shields. With the help from local NYC non-profit Makerspace, the face shields will be donated to hospitals throughout NYC as they are needed.
Volunteer to produce shields, deliver and more.
Donate via GoFundMe to aid funding for materials.
NYC Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donation Portal
The City of New York is accepting personal protective equipment (PPE) donations during the COVID-19 crisis. Drivers are available to pick up high demand items. A representative will contact you to schedule a pick up.
Fill out the donation request form and find out which items are needed.
You can also make a donation by calling 833-NYC-0040 (833-692-0040).
Richmond University Medical Center
RUMC is in need of eye protection for medical personnel: any eye goggles, face shields or masks you may have in your business inventory or through any of your professional networks. These can be goggles or masks used for swimming, skiing, or other non-medical purposes. Any mask that fits tightly to the face is acceptable. If you also have access to anyone who can provide surgical masks or N95 masks, these are also needed.
Contact Jorge Negron at 718-818-3836 or at jnegron@rumcsi.org or Laura Gajda at 718-818-2103 or at lgajda@rumcsi.org
Make a monetary donation.
Read Next | Giving Thanks by Giving Back
Staten Island University Hospital Northwell Health
Donate to the COVID-19 Emergency Fund
If you’ve recovered from COVID-19, you can help others do the same by signing up to participate in research studies and becoming a plasma donor.
Project Hospitality
Essential workers are urgently needed for Project Hospitality’s programs and operations (temporary and on-call workers as well). Apply to work for Project Hospitality.
Make a monetary donation to Project Hospitality.
City Harvest
City Harvest, New York City’s private response to hunger and largest food rescue organization, has mobilized to feed children and families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to their website: “City Harvest is committed to feeding everyone who was relying on us before the crisis, and to meeting the increasing need as the devastating economic impact of COVID-19 continues to shape our new reality. We’re also working hard to ensure that, while schools are closed, children and their families can always put meals on their tables.”
Donate funds to put food on tables.
Donate food (must be approved).
Volunteer to help.
Visiting Nurse Service of New York
VNSNY has been on the front lines of every health care crisis for over 125 years. Frontline nurses, clinicians, and aides desperately need Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to keep themselves and patients safe.
Donate PPE supplies directly to VNSNY.
Donate to the VNSNY Coronavirus Response Fund.
Donate Food from Staten Island Restaurants
The Heroes to Heroes initiative allows people to purchase deeply discounted three-foot and six-foot heroes from select restaurants and have it to delivered to the “hero” of their choice (hospitals, FDNY, NYPD, DSNY).
Wendy’s is offering free coffee and Frosties to medical personnel and first responders.
Richmond Republic, Hop Shoppe, The Pizza Parlor and Play Sport Bar are matching food donations to hospitals through their Donate a Meal to Local Heroes program.
You can help support local restaurants by ordering in. See which restaurants on Staten Island are offering takeout and delivery services.
Read Next | Learn about All the Best Pre-school or Daycare Centers on Staten Island
