Staff reports

If you can write an email, you can help. If you can make a phone call, you could save a life.

With so much need, there are all sorts of ways to make a difference — whether you're ready to go out and volunteer or would rather stay home and offer help.

We've gathered some things you can do — even some your kids can help with in their free time.

And if you know of a way to help, send an email with the subject line COVID Rochester Ways to Help to tspringer@gannett.com.

Make vital phone calls

Hotline calls: Monroe County's coronavirus hotline is, understandably inundated. Medical and nonmedical volunteers are needed to return calls to people who didn’t leave enough information when leaving a message or who have a question that can be answered using a script that will be provided to volunteers. In some cases, this could involve explaining to people how likely they are to be at risk, or calling people under quarantine to log their daily temperatures. Time commitment: at least 10 hours a week for the next two or three months. To inquire: send an email to aaroncignarale@monroecounty.gov.

Connect with those who need it most

Compeer Rochester connects volunteers with people who are experiencing mental health challenges for friendship and mentoring. Volunteers have said they get as much out of the experience as the people they're mentoring. Compeer is now recruiting volunteers to make connections via phone and video chat.

Updates:Latest coronavirus news in Monroe County

"We hope many of these 'matches' will turn into in-person visits once the virus crisis ends," said President/Executive Director Sara Passamonte. Volunteers can call (585) 546-8280 or visit compeerrochester.org/become-a-volunteer. Select the program you want and a volunteer coordinator will get in touch to start the process.

Compeer is providing screening and training through video chat. Volunteers must be 18 or older; clients/participants are ages 5 and older, and volunteers can choose between youth/young adult populations and adult/older adult populations.

Send encouragement

Help patients and workers: Imagine being hospitalized but unable to see your loved ones because a face-to-face meeting could mean infection with COVD-19. And imagine the stress on health care workers on the front lines, risking their own health to help others.

Rochester Regional Health is asking for volunteers to share uplifting photo and video messages with patients who can no longer have visitors, and health care teams who could use encouragement. Kids can help in creating these messages.

If you use social media, you can post videos and photos with the hashtag #RRHspreadjoy, and Rochester Regional will share your messages of inspiration to people who need it most. You can also send emails of thanks and encouragement to: rrhfoundation@rochesterregional.org.

Items and outreach for elders

Lifespan needs donations of personal care items (toilet paper, paper towels and cleaning/sanitizing items). The organization, which assists those over 60, is also collecting cards — handmade or store bought — and letters of cheer for residents in nursing homes or adult living facilities who can't see their loved ones. Deliver any of these items to the vestibule of their main office, 1900 S. Clinton Avenue in Tops Brighton Plaza, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Lifespan also needs volunteers to make friendly phone calls to isolated older adults. If you're interested, send an email to dpalumbos@lifespanrochester.org.

Donate items for mothers

For 16 years, Mothers In Need of Others (MINO) has run an emergency assistance program in Rochester. MINO works with nearly 100 agencies and churches who are helping families in need, assisting when their supplies run low. During the pandemic, the group has been helping dozens of families needing emergency aid.

MINO is in need of baby care items, personal and feminine hygiene products, cleaning supplies and paper products to provide their clients. If you can donate any of these, send an email to mothersinneedofothers@gmail.com or call (585) 348-8596."

Donate all sorts of supplies

The United Way has a webpage compiling volunteer opportunities and also nonprofit groups that are in need of monetary donations and all sorts of supplies, from laundry detergent to kids' clothes. Groups like Willow Domestic Violence Center, The Salvation Army, The Community Place, Ibero-American Action League and many more have their list of items needed on the site. It's an easy way to find what you can offer to those in need.

Sew masks to help stop the spread

Hundreds of people who know their way around a needle and thread have been working for the cause. The University of Rochester Medical Center has online instructions for making masks: go to rochester.box.com/v/mask-instructions.

You can donate your homemade masks to URMC. For safety, it's important to package them in a clean plastic bag, cardboard box or other sealed container, with a label on the outside with your name, the contents and quantity and your email or phone number.

Drop your container off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at 40 Celebration Drive, Rochester, using the College Town Courtyard lot; enter through the double-doors with the “Donation” signs on them and place your donation on the table at right upon entering the space.If you have questions or problems, call (585) 275-2420 or email covid19donationsSMH@urmc.rochester.edu.

HCR Home Care, which provides home health services, also needs masks to protect its workers. If you want to volunteer to sew masks, contact Laura Bartolotti, send and email to lbartolotti@hcrhealth.com to receive directions.

Deliver, sort supplies and more

The need is so great, Monroe County has formed a "Catchall Taskforce" to help with food delivery, clerical work, receiving supplies and other tasks that arise as needs shift. If you can help, send an email to aaroncignarale@monroecounty.gov to find out what's needed now.

Give blood

It's always a way to help save lives, but now more than ever. Visit the Red Cross website to find where you can give blood or call (800) 733-2767 to find local sites. If you have had COVID-19 and have fully recovered, your blood contains antibodies that fight the virus, so you can help by contacting the Red Cross to offer a plasma donation.

Donate money, anywhere

Most every nonprofit and business can use some support. USA TODAY has launched this Support Local website for several cities, including Rochester, as a portal to buy gift certificates for local businesses such as restaurants and salons that can't operate normally during the pandemic. Buy now to help them stay in business, and visit later at a time when things reopen and we'll all need to celebrate.

Support health systems. University of Rochester, Rochester Regional Health, nonprofit groups — the list of entities who are helping to keep people well is long, and so is the list of ways they've depleted their supplies and budgets. Look up causes you care about and donate what you can.

Translate Spanish at a food pantry

The Food Pantry at Memorial AME Zion Church, 549 Clarissa St., has non-English-speaking visitors, so volunteers are needed to translate Spanish from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Contact Carmen Allen, (585) 520-6004, with questions or to sign up.

Tip a bartender online

Restaurant and bar employees were hit especially hard when large gatherings were banned early on in the pandemic. Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport came up with a clever way to help bartenders who are out of work.

The bartenders have posted drink recipes on a special bartenders benefit website, and links provide a way to "tip" them for their recipe. Mix up their drinks and send a little cash — it's the next best thing to being generous while sitting at the bar.

Pack food to help the hungry

Foodlink and The United Way have partnered to provide thousands of emergency food boxes to those in need. Volunteers will soon be needed to pack additional food boxes at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, which is large enough to allow for safe social distancing.

The Department of Health has certain restrictions on volunteers, such as needing to be between the ages of 16 and 60 and showing no signs of illness or fever. Shifts for the first week of April have been filled but more volunteers will be needed soon. For more information or to sign up for the volunteer waitlist, visit the Foodlink website. If you sign up, Foodlink will notify you when volunteers are needed.

Community Needs

Our partners at United Way has launched a Volunteer Portal in response to COVID-19 and have highlighted some of the most critical needs for us. Spanish-speaking volunteers are needed at Beyond the Sanctuary to help at their food pantry at Memorial AME Zion Church. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=510752

There is a need in the nonprofit community for donations of gloves to help with safely preparing food to distribute. Please email covidresponse@uwrochester.org to learn more about how your company can donate unopened boxes of gloves.

VOLUNTEER NEED

Foodlink's response to the COVID-19 crisis continues as food insecurity rises in the Rochester area. Volunteers are needed to pack emergency food supply boxes that will be distributed to families, seniors, and individuals in need.

Morning: https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=520033

Afternoon: https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=520032

Lifespan is seeking volunteers who are interested in having regular phone calls with older adults in our community. Volunteers are paired with call receivers based upon similar interests. The commitment is at least an hour a week hopefully for a year or more.

St. Mark's and St. John's offers a weekly Food Shelf from their location in the Beechwood neighborhood. In response to COVID-19, SMSJ has started delivering food directly to people's homes. The organization is in need of food delivery drivers for 2 hour shifts (afternoons preferred) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Drivers pick up bags of food and receive delivery instructions for safe and socially-distanced drop offs from SMSJ at the start of their shift. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=515074

Jewish Family Service of Rochester is looking for volunteers to help with its Lunch Box Program hosted at Hillel Community Day School. Volunteers will help with basic food prep, putting together lunches and preparing them for pick up. Volunteers will distribute meals to pre-registered recipients during the pickup hour from 10-11am. Social distancing will be practiced, gloves and masks are required and will be provided. This program runs weekly (during the summer) Monday - Friday from 8AM - 11:30AM/12PM.

Hope Initiatives CDC, Inc. is seeking volunteers with basic carpentry, woodworking, or metalworking skills to assist with building furniture for those in need within our community. The organization is also occasionally need assistance with moving and deliveries. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=515804

Ibero American Action League is partnering with Common Ground Health and The Father Tracy Advocacy Center to coordinate prescreening and COVID-19 Spanish language education to our community, and are looking for bilingual medical professionals that want to volunteer. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=516294

The YWCA needs volunteers to help start a vegetable and herb garden, as well as to assist in the gardens maintenance. They are also looking for gardeners to do some additional planting in the front of our building. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=496192

Jewish Family Service is in need of volunteer shoppers to help those who are unable to leave their homes get the necessary items they need. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=512551

South Wedge Food Program needs help sort food and pack boxes of food for distributing at their food cupboard. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=515648

Hope Initiatives is seeking volunteers with basic carpentry, wood working, or metal working skills to assist with building furniture for those in need within our community. They also need assistance with moving and deliveries. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=515804

Lifespan is accepting cards (handmade/store bought) and letters for residents living in older adult housing facilities/nursing homes. Letters can be mailed or dropped off to: 1900 S. Clinton Avenue, Rochester, New York 14618. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=512125

Jewish Family Service is in need of volunteer shoppers to help those who are unable to leave their homes get the necessary items they need.

https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=512551

American Red Cross, Greater Rochester Chapter is looking for Blood Donor Ambassadors who will:

Provide excellent and enthusiastic customer service to enhance the blood donor experience.

Engage with blood donors to promote blood donation and set the stage for a long-term commitment to regular blood donations.

Express gratitude and ensure each blood donor is sincerely thanked for their donation.

https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=512611

211/LIFE LINE is in need of emergency 211/LIFE LINE volunteers to answer and document phone calls from their homes to support 211’s call center during this crisis. Volunteers will assist callers following established policy, protocol, and procedure. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=511803

IN-KIND NEED

In order to practice social distancing Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester is in need of two folding tables that would allow the organization to have meetings outdoors. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=520317

Pencils & Paper provides free school supplies to local teachers to help fill classrooms for schools and students most impacted by poverty. The program is looking for support for a virtual school supply drive to restock shelves for students in the classroom or at home this fall. You can help by purchasing supplies from the Pencils & Paper Amazon Wish List. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=523787

The YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County is looking for volunteers and donors to put together craft kits by gathering materials and simple, straightforward instructions. Ideas include:

A make your own picture frame, which could include the unfinished frame, wood, glue, paint and shellac

Make your own jewelry kits including beads, buttons, thread, etc.

Decorate your own planters including planter, paint and shellac

Make your own puzzle

Make your own stationary

Decorate your own pillowcase kit could include pillowcase and fabric markers

Make your own mask

These are just some ideas, the YWCA welcomes YOUR creativity as well! https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=520846

More than 50,000 homemade masks are needed for nonprofit staff and clients—and we need the community’s help to keep their staff and clients safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the recommendations from the CDC for all people in public spaces to wear face coverings/masks in public spaces there is an increased demand for homemade face coverings/masks. If you are able to sew or make additional homemade face coverings/masks to donate, please visit www.uwrochester.org/covidmasks

Charles Settlement House in urgent need of bulk cleaning supplies. Items needed include but are not limited to:

Clorox wipes

Hand Sanitizer

Disinfectant spray

Bleach

Alcohol Wipes

https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=507844

Monroe County Veterans Service Agency is in urgent need of Basic Needs supplies including, but not limited to:

Shelf Stable Foods

Feminine hygiene products

Baby Formula

Baby Wipes

Diapers

Soap & shampoo

Cleaning Products

https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=508276

Lifespan is accepting donations of personal care items like toilet paper, paper towels and sanitizing items. https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=515584

St. Mark's and St. John's has responded to COVID-19 by delivering food every day to households across our community. Demand continues to rise, and their regular food supply is running out quickly. They are collecting food and supply donations on Tuesdays from 10am-11am and Thursdays from 2pm-3pm, and are in need of:

Peanut Butter

Tuna Fish or Canned Meats

Mac and Cheese

Canned Veggies

Canned Fruit

Whole Grains, Rice, Pasta

Shelf-stable Milk

Juice

Soap

Toilet Paper (ind. Wrapped if possible), and other hygiene products https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=515652

Ibero-American Action League is in need of the following in-kind donations (listing here: https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=510810 to continue safely serving clients:

Antibacterial Soap

Toilet Paper

Tissues

Disinfectant wipes

Laundry Detergent

Adult Diapers

Paper towels

Lysol spray

Gowns

Head covers

Shoe covers

Eye protection (goggles) or face shields

N95 Respirators

Masks

Bleach

Thermometer ear covers and mouth covers

Board games

Volunteer of America is in need of the following in-kind donations (listing here: https://uwrochester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=510769 for its Emergency Shelter for Homeless Families:

Laundry detergent

Bleach

Antibacterial soap

Hand sanitizer

Paper towels

Toilet paper

Masks

Personal toiletries (shampoo and deodorant)

Towels

Linens

More than 50,000 homemade masks are needed for nonprofit staff and clients—and we need the community’s help to keep their staff and clients safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the recommendations from the CDC for all people in public spaces to wear face coverings/masks in public spaces there is an increased demand for homemade face coverings/masks. If you are able to sew or make additional homemade face coverings/masks to donate, please visit: https://www.uwrochester.org/covidmasks to learn how you can be a United Way #MaskMaker.

VIRTUAL NEED

Beyond the Sanctuary needs Spanish-speaking volunteers to help at its Food Pantry at Memorial AME Zion Church from 3:00 - 6:00pm on Wednesdays and to call to check on clients during the week.

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