Gina Davison scrolled through social media, overwhelmed by the constant onslaught of coronavirus posts.

She began to feel helpless, like there was nothing to be done for the thousands of San Antonians affected by long lines at grocery stores, layoffs at businesses and shortages of essential items.

Davison, a single mother and local photographer, had slowly come to understand how difficult it would be to get work in the weeks to come.

Her neighbors, two of whom work in restaurant and catering businesses, were similarly distraught. People everywhere were hurting, and she felt powerless to stop it.

“Finally, I realized I had the power to help,” said Davison, who also runs a homemaking blog for a small, loyal group of followers. “I don’t have a car, but I still have the potential to help someone. I can connect them to other people and resources while staying at home with my son.”

On Monday, she got to work. She logged onto Facebook and created a group, the Hippy Helpers, a spin-off on her blog name, The Hippy Home, and began inviting others to join her.

She encouraged them to help in any way they could. Did anyone have extra food they could share? Was someone available to run an errand? Which stores had baby formula in stock?

“If one thing comes out of all of this, it is my hope that it brings our society to realize how interdependent we are,” Davison wrote to members on Facebook. “We can get through this, but we need each other to do it, especially the vulnerable and the poor who always get hit the hardest.”

Throughout San Antonio, neighbors are banding together, albeit virtually, mobilized by the recognition that the coronavirus pandemic will continue to affect people — rich and poor, young and old — for the foreseeable future.

They’re posting on Facebook, offering child care to neighbors, setting up networks through Google to pick up groceries for the elderly, handing out free water bottles on a street corner, and organizing fun games through Nextdoor.

Briauna Barrera, a member of San Antonio’s Democratic Socialists of America, started an online network through Google this week to find groceries for residents or check in on elderly relatives.

By Friday, more than 100 people had filled it out a questionnaire, she said. A restaurant owner had offered to provide 200 meals for the group to deliver. Now, Barrera is focusing on hosting online information sessions so San Antonians can learn how to get involved.

“We’ve really been seeing an outpouring of care,” Barrera said. “The biggest need we’ve seen is emotional support. People want to be in contact with people — they want to feel like they’re not alone in this.”

Ruben Galvan, a pastor at Firehouse Church, had more than four dozen large packs of water and Gatorade he’d planned to use for a church event, now canceled amid concerns about the coronavirus.

Instead, he and his 9-year-old son drove to the intersection of Steves and Hackberry on Thursday and handed out the packs, emptying their truck in four hours.

Cynthia Quillian, a Realtor, was inspired to do something after her friend, a middle school art teacher, started a Facebook group called cov-ED co-op to connect educators and parents with online education resources for students.

Quillian, who has done small fundraisers for her friend’s school before, worried about all the children in low-income families who don’t have access to technology. She started a GoFundMe in hopes of buying laptops for about 1,200 at-risk kids.

“Let’s keep them stimulated. Let’s keep them engaged,” Quillian said. “It’s not like this is going to change anytime soon. This is going to be a big part of our lives.”

Sara Lucy Nañez, a local business executive who works in the limousine industry, began two Facebook groups in an effort to connect residents in need of essential items.

The first, which provides updates on which stores have grocery supplies, has more than 1,400 members. The second, called Start With Your Street, encourages members to check in with their neighbors to make sure they’re OK and see if they need anything.

If you don’t have the needed items, that’s OK, Nañez said. Someone does.

So far, Nañez and her team of followers have helped connect with more than 20 residents. A woman needed a twin mattress; another was looking for Spaghettios with meatballs for her son, who has sensory issues. A caretaker asked for adult diapers.

“Everyone is coming together,” Nañez said. “It’s beautiful.”

Rather than get overwhelmed by the onslaught of daily coronavirus news, find small ways to help, Nañez and others said.

“I think a lot of times, in our normal life, we are so rushed that we don’t take the time to acknowledge the community around us,” said Davison, the local blogger. “I think that’s the one positive thing that will come out of all this. … We need each other to survive.”

Want to help? Here are some places to start:

Give blood: The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center has warned that its blood supply is low due to widespread cancellations of blood drives. People can schedule appointments to donate, allowing for social distancing.

Prepare food boxes for low-income families and seniors: The San Antonio Food Bank needs volunteers to prepare food kits for 300,000 households and distribute meals to children who are out of school. Meals on Wheels, which serves older and disabled residents, is expanding the number of meals it provides and needs donations.

Gather supplies for your favorite nonprofit: Many nonprofits, including Catholic Charities, Family Violence Prevention Services, San Antonio Pets Alive and St. Vincent de Paul, don’t have enough basic supplies, including non-perishable food, bottled water, baby formula, hand sanitizer and paper towels, because of the high demand for household items.

Organize hygiene kits for the homeless: San Antonio police officers need hygiene kits, including hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, soap, bottles of water and socks, to distribute to people experiencing homelessness. Kits can be dropped off at one of several SAFFE substations.

Sign up to be a virtual volunteer: Many organizations, including The American Red Cross, have in-person and online volunteer opportunities. The Central and South Texas Region of The Red Cross has training online, allowing for social distancing.

Write a letter, send a card to a senior living facility: Several elder care facilities, including Elmcroft Senior Living in Windcrest, have asked for cards and letters for their residents, who can no longer receive visitors. Check with the facility first to make sure there are no restrictions on items they can receive.

Support local hospitality workers, artists facing uncertainty: Hospitality workers and artists are hurting now that performance venues and bars have shut down and restaurants switched to takeout and delivery only. Culinaria has organized an emergency relief fund, as has San Antonio Tip Jar, Howl at the Moon and the San Antonio Opera.

Reach out to your local school: Educators are scrambling to create online lesson plans for their students. Reach out to your local schools and see what they need. Offer to record an educational video about your profession, drop off books for students spending more time indoors, or laptops for children who don’t have them.

Check on friends, neighbors: Public crises can exacerbate mental health issues for people who are already working to cope with anxiety, depression and social isolation. Others may just feel overwhelmed by the stress of layoffs, a lack of child care and uncertainty about the future. Call or FaceTime family members. Check on elderly neighbors. Send a card to a friend.

Organize a mutual aid network: You can start small by creating a list of people who live in your apartment complex or on your street. Use online tools or lists to track what people need and what people are able to give, like household supplies or delivery of medicine from pharmacies.

Donate to a relief fund, a local nonprofit: Several prominent philanthropic organizations have launched campaigns to support families and nonprofits affected by the coronavirus. Make a donation of more than $25 to the COVID-19 Community Response Fund or the Big Give Emergency Relief.

Emilie Eaton is a criminal justice reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eeaton@express-news.net | Twitter: @emilieeaton