It's easy to feel isolated and helpless in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

But there are still ways you can help your fellow Hoosiers in a time of need. Here are a few ways you could make a difference:

Give blood

As schools and universities cancel classes and companies encourage telework to halt the potential transmission of the coronavirus, blood donations have taken a nosedive, which could lead to potential shortages.

Dan Waxman, vice president and senior medical director of Versiti Blood Center of Indiana, said Thursday that recent blood drive cancellations have created a loss of more than 800 potential donations. Each unit of blood donated can be used to save up to three lives.

"People need people," he said. "We can’t bioengineer blood products.”

There's no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted via blood transfusion, Waxman said, but prospective donors are discouraged from giving if they are symptomatic. Although state and health leaders are encouraging social distancing, an hour-long visit to a blood center — a controlled, sterile environment — is safe.

"This is one place that they should visit right now," Waxman said.

Donations are accepted by appointment or from walk-ins from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the following locations:

Carmel: 726 Adams St., Suite 150

Fishers: 11005 Allisonville Rd.

Greenwood: 8739 U.S. 31 South

Donations are also accepted Downtown, 3450 N. Meridian St., from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, or 6 a.m. to noon Sunday.

The American Red Cross is also looking for donors as blood drives canceled across the country have resulted in the loss of some 17,500 potential blood donations. Those interested in doing so are asked to make an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor smartphone app, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.

Give your time or money

With state and local leaders encouraging residents to avoid crowded spaces and work from home, the novel coronavirus stands to disrupt Central Indiana's economy in a major way.

The United Way of Central Indiana has announced the creation of the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund, which will provide grants to offset the costs of increased demand on social and human service organizations.

Philanthropic leaders, including the Lilly Endowment, have donated $16.5 million to launch the fund, but individuals can donate by texting HELP2020 to 91999 or online at covid19cerf.org.

The Horizon House is conducting outreach with the city's homeless population, offering services and medical health screenings. Financial contributions can be made online at horizonhouse.cc/give. Donations of cleaning supplies, household items, food or clothing can be made from their Amazon wish list (horizonhouse.cc/wishlist) and shipped directly to Horizon House.

Westminster Neighborhood Services needs volunteers who can pack bags of food to distribute to near-east side families via its pantry. Those interested should contact volunteer coordinator Azaria Brown at azaria.brown@westmin.org. Visit westmin.org for more information.

Gleaners Food Bank needs volunteers who are healthy and able to work to pack emergency family meal boxes. Shifts are open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 12:30-3:30 p.m. and on Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Visit gleaners.org/volunteer/ to sign up.

Gleaners is also in need of financial support to purchase food for those emergency boxes. A $20 donation will provide a box and fresh produce and meat for a family of four that could last for up to a week. Visit gleaners.org/donate/ to make a contribution.

In accordance with guidance from the Marion County Health Department, Second Helpings is limiting the number of new volunteers it brings into its facility to prepare, package and distribute food. However, those interested in volunteering may add their name to the emergency volunteer wait list to be called in as needed. Restaurants, caterers and other commercial food providers that want to donate food or provide “to-go” meals from a pantry or meal site can contact Second Helpings.Visit secondhelpings.org for more.

Wheeler Mission is in need of donations to offset the cost of any additional medical supplies and to pay for any temporary staff hired to fill positions of older employees that fall into the "high-risk" category and have been asked to work from home. Visit wheelermission.org/ for more.

Midwest Food Bank is in need of financial contributions to purchase additional supplies and volunteers to meet neighbors' needs. Visit midwestfoodbank.org/ to learn more about volunteer opportunities or to make a donation.

Did we miss something? Let us know.

Email IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at holly.hays@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @hollyvhays.