HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As the number of Houston-area coronavirus cases continues to grow, charities are stepping up their response efforts. Here's what some charities are doing to help during the outbreak and what you can do to assist them.
The Beacon
What are they offering?
Staff is offering to-go meals seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The sacks will include enough food for two meals, a drink and hand wipes. Housing assessments are available Monday through Friday starting at 10:30 a.m. on a limited basis. Laundry and shower services will also be made available, but on a limited basis. The City of Houston and the Downtown Management District have installed a hand-washing station in front of their facility.
What can I do to help?
Volunteers are needed to help make and assemble sack lunches that are given to clients.
NOTE: If you are sick, do not volunteer. If you have any underlying conditions, please consider opportunities to support organizations that are utilizing "virtual or remote" volunteer opportunities.
The Beacon said all volunteers will be screened at check-in with a series of questions to ensure you're safe to volunteer.
Visit The Beacon's website to register.
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston
What are they offering?
The BGCGH has set up a drive-thru pantry to safely deliver food to families. There's no need to get out of your car! Staff will load your vehicle with up to a week's worth of healthy food options. The final distribution day is Friday, March 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. while supplies last.
Online learning platforms are also made available for members.
Visit the BGCGH's website for more information.
What can I do to help?
A list of volunteer opportunities has been made available for those interested in helping with the drive-thru pantry. To view the calendar, click here.
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center
Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center says it is in vital need of donations, especially for O positive and O negative blood and red blood cells. According to the blood center, COVID-19 poses no known risk to patients receiving blood transfusions, and there is no risk of contracting the virus from donating. A blood donation could save up to three lives.
What can I do to help?
Houston Food Bank
What are they offering?
Houston Food Bank continues to offer food assistance throughout the Houston area and said its demand has heightened due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To locate a Houston Food Bank partner near you, click here. You can also call their helpline at 832-369-9390 or text FOOD to 855-308-2282.
What can I do to help?
Houston Furniture Bank
What are they offering?
Houston Furniture Bank provides families in need with essential furniture items. They even offer furniture selection appointments every day.
What can I do to help?
To sign up, click here.
Kids' Meals
What are they offering?
Kids' Meals offers meals to underprivileged preschoolers in Houston, which are delivered door-to-door. Each meal consists of a protein, a healthy snack and a juice. In addition, they deliver up to three grocery bags a week to their families. According to a recent Facebook post, the non-profit has grown 125% in just one week due to the coronavirus outbreak.
What can I do to help?
To sign up, visit the Kids' Meal website.
Target Hunger Houston
What are they offering?
Target Hunger has changed most food assistance operations to drive-thru distributions with items being loaded in car trunks as well as enhanced safety protocols.
According to CEO Sandra Wicoff, as of March 24, double food distributions were delivered to 343 senior households and pantry clients increased by 33 percent. Its food fairs served 600 emergency clients in addition to regular clients and mobile distributions provided food for nearly 1,000 people.
To sign up, visit Target Hunger Houston's website.
What can I do to help?
To get started, visit Target Hunger Houston's website.