Cincinnati is a city that cares, and we’ve a wealth of local nonprofits to prove it. Right now, as our city copes with an unprecedented global pandemic, our community’s needs are greater than ever. We need to pull together and hold each other up in these uncertain times. Because we’re all in this together.
These Cincinnati nonprofits need your help during the coronavirus:
Bethany House
Bethany House shelters families experiencing homelessness. On any given day, between 150 and 170 individuals – 100-120 children – are provided food and shelter. Right now, staff is working from home, but will collect donations at 1836 Fairmount Avenue — contact volunteer coordinator Gage Woolley [email protected] to help. If you would like to make a cash donation to support the families in shelter at Bethany House, donate here.
For for more information about how you can support families in shelter at Bethany House, call 513-921-1131 and leave a message.
Brighton Center
Brighton Center is a comprehensive social services agency with a mission to create opportunities for individuals and families to reach self-sufficiency through family support services, education, employment, and leadership. The recent coronavirus has resulted in increased need for their services. At this time, they are unable to accept food donations; however, the agency is in need of monetary donations to purchase food, personal care and cleaning supplies. If you are interested delivering emergecy food boxes to home-bound individuals, please sign up here. Or visit their amazon wish list for a current list of items we are in need of.
If you’re interested in learning more about ways you can help, contact: [email protected].
Cincinnati Computer Cooperative
Since 2002 the Cincinnati Computer Cooperative has been providing area children, adults, seniors, nonprofits and schools with computers. With thousands of Cincy kids out of school, demand at Cincinnati Computer Cooperative has been staggering — and the Cooperative’s shelves are getting bare. Now, the nonprofit’s shelves are emptying and in dire need of immediate laptop donations from businesses.
Due to current health concerns, the cooperative has released its volunteer workforce, so they cannot accept individual donations at this time, but any company considering retiring older equipment may donate. To donate a used computer, call 513-771-3262.
COVID-19 Regional Response Fund
Our region confronts not only a severe public health crisis caused by COVID-19, but also an extreme economic crisis in its wake. The most vulnerable members of our community, many of whom already face health and economic disparities, will be disproportionately affected by the global pandemic. Join the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and United Way in supporting the region’s greatest needs right now.
Right now, an anonymous donor has pledged to provide a 1:1 match for donations from the public up to $250,000. No gift is too small. Donate by text (Text RAPID to 91999); Donate by check: (Make payable to “Greater Cincinnati Foundation,” memo: COVID-19 Regional Response Fund and mail to: Greater Cincinnati Foundation, 700 E. Pete Rose Way, Suite 120, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202); or Donate by calling 513-241-2880.
Freestore Foodbank
In Cincinnati, many people face hunger every day — and during the holidays, this problem becomes even more pronounced. It’s estimated that 1 in 7 people in the tristate do not know where their next meal is coming from, and this problem affects 80,000 children in Greater Cincinnati. The coronavirus crisis has only made this problem more pronounced.
At this time, the agency is discontinuing food drives due to the current challenges at the local grocers and health risks to volunteers. If you’re able, make a donation so the agency can purchase large quantities of food in bulk to be shipped directly to them at a lower cost.
Hamilton County
In order to help alleviate the strain on the County’s healthcare system, Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (EMHSA) is requesting donations of personal protective equipment (PPE).
They need the following healthcare supplies: N95 masks, surgical masks, disposable splash gowns, and exam gloves (latex-free preferred, but all unopened boxes of gloves will be accepted). Call 513-263-8200 for donation drop-off location and additional information. Click here for more information regarding COVID-19 donation needs.
Lighthouse Youth & Family Services
Lighthouse Youth & Family Services provides meals and necessities for young people and families in need, including youth experiencing homelessness. The COVID-19 crisis has only increased local need.
Right now, they’re asking for donations of gift cards to purchase meals, such as Kroger, LaRosa’s, Walmart; items on the agency’s Amazon Wish List (“Lighthouse COVID-19 Shopping List”) — you can order items on the site for direct delivery to Lighthouse; and online donations.
Ronald McDonald House
In this time of great uncertainty, Ronald McDonald House is a place of support and stability. Help this local nonprofit by providing funding for meals; donating Amazon Wish List items; or simply making a donation.
Matthew 25: Ministries
Matthew 25: Ministries is a big player in the Cincinnati community, and it’s no surprise the nonprofit has responded to COVID: 19 in a big and meaningful way. They are distributing desperately-needed emergency supplies to first responders, police and fire departments, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other organizations that serve high-risk groups, including the sick, the elderly, and the impoverished. As part of their initial response, Matthew 25 is distributing more than 60,000 pounds of supplies to almost 200 organizations. Supplies include approximately 20,000 N95 and surgical masks, 155,000 gloves, 25,000 bottles of hand sanitizer, 11,000 packages of wipes, 8,500 rolls of paper products, 900 personal care kits, 1,000 sanitizing kits, 23,000 batteries, plus additional assorted medical and personal care items.
How can you help? Consider supporting these relief efforts and their ongoing work by donating online today.
Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank
As grocery stores and online retailers struggle to keep necessities stocked, diaper need is dire. The COVID-19 crisis has forced Sweet Cheeks to temporarily close its warehouse for donations; so the agency is in even greater need of monetary donations. And the good news is, because of some of our nonprofit partnerships, cash donations purchase 2-3 times more diaper buying power! {Read all about Sweet Cheeks here.}
The Christ Hospital COVID-19 Response Fund
This fund supports caregivers and provides badly needed supplies as well as resources for front-line employees, including childcare and other unexpected expenses.
Donate online at thechristhospital.com/about-the-network/foundation/donate-online.
UC Health Crisis Response Fund
During this scary time, we are all finding ways to stay connected. UC Health asks area residents to write a letter, note, poem or picture, and send to residents at on of the participating communities on the list below. This is such a great idea for kids off school!
Send letters, cards and drawings to residents at the city’s assisted living and nursing facilities. Put the letter in an envelope, address the envelope to “Keeping Cincy Close” and choose a location from the list below. Put this envelope into another envelope and write the correlating address on envelope. Mail to:
- Bridgeway Pointe, 165 W. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45216
- Daniel Drake Center, 151 W. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45216
- Evergreen Community Nursing Home, 230 W. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215
- Evergreen Community Skilled Nursing Facility, 8000 Evergreen Ridge Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215
- Harrison Pavilion Rehabilitation & Nursing Care, 2171 Harrison Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45211
- Pleasant Ridge Care Center, 5501 Verulam Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45213
- Astoria Place of Cincinnati, 3627 Harvey Ave., Cincinnati Ohio 45229
Additionally, you can donate to the fund at impact.uc.edu/project/20482. Or purchase a Strength in Unity shirt from Cincy Shirts, where a portion of the sales benefit the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati Emergency Response Fund.
YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
Speaking of the Y, the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati has showed up for Cincinnati — in a big way. The Y has shifted fitness services to virtual options and opened facilities only to health care workers and first responders needing access to child care during this time, providing child care for 1,100 children across our region in 11 locations. (This service is open only to our first responders and health care workers, with financial assistance offered.)
Right now, the Y is asking for donations to the Emergency Response Fund to ensure financial assistance (subsidized or free care) is available to families most in need. Visit MyY.org/give to earn more.
One person, one dollar, can make a difference. Let’s get through this together, Cincinnati parents.
Image credit: Matthew 25: Ministries
