Hello to you all,
We decided that during this tumultuous time that, instead of highlighting one nonprofit’s fundraiser on our cover as we usually do, what was most important was encouraging our readers to help those who are helping us.
Our mission, as you know, is to support our local nonprofits. And while they certainly need your support as our new normal changes each and every day, right now there are even more ways to help.
As our neighbors, family members and loved ones put their lives at risk for us simply by going to their jobs as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, cashiers, delivery workers, chefs, etc., it’s easy to feel like there’s nothing one can do to make a difference – but that’s not true!
If you’re crafty, consider making masks for your friends and neighbors. Caroline Reily was on national TV recently showing how to create her chic but effective mask; visit her YouTube channel Dynamite NOLA to find “Chic Easy DIY Facemask” and “Straw Hat Goes Anti-viral.”
While you’re crafting, consider donating to your favorite local radio station or expanding your library through a subscription service provided by a local bookstore. And if you’re alone (or just feeling a little blue) consider opening your home to a foster cat or dog. If interested, complete a foster application at la-spca.org/foster and a Louisiana SPCA employee will contact you within 24 hours.
You can support our restaurant industry, and often our local farmers, by placing curbside pick-up orders – and sometimes delivery options – from many of your favorite local spots. Visit MyNewOrleans.com/alerts-and-updates and click on “Restaurant Updates” on the right side for options updated daily.
There is also a link there for “Retail Store Updates.” Our local stores need our support as well – consider a gift certificate for Mother’s Day! And if you’re a retailer reading this, update your profile there today.
While you’re there, also click on “Nonprofit Event Updates” for our monthly calendar with rescheduled dates as we know them. If your nonprofit has a new date for its fundraiser and you don’t see it there, just email Morgan@MyNewOrleans.com and we’ll have it updated within the day!
So many nonprofits had to move or cancel their events. Some of these include: Cabrini High School (CabriniHigh.com), Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation (ChronsColitisFoundation.org), French Quarter Festivals Inc. (FQFI.org), Friends of City Park (NewOrleansCityPark.com), Friends of Lafitte Greenway (LafitteGreenway.org), Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses (HGGH.org), Legacy Donor Foundation (OrganAwareness.org), Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPOMusic.com), New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBAEvents.com), New Orleans Food & Wine Experience (NOWFE.com), New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA.org), New Orleans Opera Association (NewOrleansOpera.org), Pro Bono Project (ProBono-no.org), Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (DioCancerFund.org), UNCF (UNCF.org) and WYES (WYES.org).
Second Harvest Food Bank (No-Hunger.org) has partnered with Entergy to match donations from $200-$75,000 if donated before May 31.
United Way’s Hands On New Orleans Volunteer Center (UnitedWaySELA.org) has myriad opportunities, like delivering meals to seniors, their Phone a Senior campaign and mentoring students virtually.
Kingsley House (KingsleyHouse.org), in addition to asking for donations to assist supporting their staff, are asking for cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, diapers and personal care items. Email dbetzer@kingsleyhouse.org to learn more.
The New Orleans Council on Aging also needs donations of cleaning supplies and the like, as well as monetary donations. If you’re interested, call Martin Huber at 821-4121, extension 133.
The Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF.org) has reactivated its Disaster Response and Restoration Fund to “provide assistance to those who are most in need.”
The New Orleans Business Alliance (nolaba.org/relief-fund) has set up a dedicated relief fund to meet the needs of gig economy workers.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation (JazzAndHeritage.org) has established the Jazz & Heritage Music Relief Fund – a statewide relief fund to support Louisiana musicians who have lost income amid the pandemic.
Creative Response (CreativeResponse.works) is a collaborative emergencey relief fund of so many of our local arts groups, but it’s also distributing 800 free art kits for young poeple every Wednesady until the stay-at-home order is lifted.
Port Orleans Brewing Co. launched POB United (PortOrleansBrewingco.com), partnering with NATCO Food Service, Louisiana Fresh Produce and Blue Runner Red Beans to serve freshly prepared food for pick-up for service industry employees.
The Brian Injury Association of Louisiana (BIALa.org) is asking for $10-$20 a month to sustain their “Ready, Relax, Eat” program in partnership with SWEGS Kitchen, which delivers nutritious meals to caregivers’ homes.
The Al Copeland Foundation has started its “Be A Hero. Thank a Hero” (BeAHeroThankAHero.com) campaign to provide a “level of comfort in an overly chaotic work environment” by delivering essential care packages with items individually identified by Louisiana hospitals to first responders.
Edible Schoolyard New Orleans (donate.firstlineschools.org/esynola), had to cancel its largest fundraiser of the year. In addition to, as most schools are, offering distance learning, it’s still maintaining four school gardens and taking care of the animals at Langston Hughes Academy.
For the latest updates on city regulations and tips – like how to wear and care for a face covering – visit Ready.Nola.gov.
Remember, human beings can be contained but the human spirit is boundless!
Beverly Reese Church
&
Morgan Packard Griffith
