Wondering what you can do to help during the COVID-19 crisis? Allina Health has two ideas for you.

First, they could use more masks.

The health care system will be setting up collection sites at many of its facilities to receive donations of factory-made N95 and ear loop masks, as well as hand-sewn ear loop masks. Instructions on how to sew the masks can be found at https://blog.bluecrossmn.com/covid19masks.

Second, they could use some encouragement.

Allina Health welcomes any notes of gratitude for health care workers as part of its “Caring for Caregivers” campaign.

“Our communities are always looking for ways to help each other. We are so heartened by the response and are grateful for the public wanting to assist us in this critical hour,” said Helen Strike, COVID-19 system incident commander for Allina Health. “Individuals and organizations like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota have reached out to lend their support in big and small ways. BCBS is partnering with us and other providers by organizing a statewide network of volunteers to help sew masks.”

Masks can be donated daily starting Sunday, March 22 through April 5, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Donations sites are at most Allina hospitals. Details on specific locations at each facility will be available on allinahealth.org.

Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 800 E. 28th St., Minneapolis

Abbott Northwestern Hospital – West Health, 2805 Campus Drive, Plymouth

Buffalo Hospital, 303 Catlin St., Buffalo

Cambridge Medical Center, 701 S. Dellwood St., Cambridge

District One Hospital, 200 State Ave., Faribault

Mercy Hospital – Mercy Campus Specialty Center Parking lot, 11850 Blackfoot St. N.W., Coon Rapids

Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus, Fridley, 550 Osborne Road, Fridley

New Ulm Medical Center, 1324 5th St. N., New Ulm

Owatonna Hospital, 2250 N.W. 26th St., Owatonna

Regina Medical Center, 1175 Nininger Road, Hastings

River Falls Area Hospital, Wisconsin, 1629 E Division St., River Falls

St. Francis Regional Medical Center, 1455 St. Francis Ave., Shakopee

United Hospital, 333 Smith Ave. N., St. Paul

Courage Kenny Rehabilitation, Golden Valley, 3915 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley

Participants should remain in their cars when donating. A staff member will come out and collect the masks.

Meanwhile, Hennepin County has created drop-off locations for items needed to protect people responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

Priority items needed include:

Protective face wear – N95 or N100 respirators, PAPRs and surgical masks

Nitrile gloves

Tyvek coveralls

Tyvek foot covers

Eye protection (wrap arounds or chemical splash)

The drop-off site for Sunday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. is Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation, 3000 N. Second St., Minneapolis.

Drop-off sites (starting Monday, March 23) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily are: