Nobody likes being stuck inside.
But we all understand the importance of quarantine and social distancing to help protect others during the corona virus outbreak.
Here are a few ideas for how you can help your neighbors in the meantime.
⦁ Offer to help pick up medication or groceries for elderly neighbors or family members, or for your immuno-compromised family and friends. The risk of infection when combined with the thought of crowds and difficulty finding needed items makes going shopping a daunting task for many in Lexington County. This is a great option if you are healthy, not exhibiting any symptoms, are not at risk yourself and have not been around anyone who is sick.
⦁ The American Red Cross is in need of blood donations. Medical crises mean there is an increase in the number of medical blood needs. See where and when you can donate blood by visiting https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive. If you’re unable to donate blood or are under quarantine, they also accept monetary donations online here: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/  or by phone at 800-435-7669.
⦁ Harvest Hope food bank is accepting donations. Their Columbia and Greenville emergency drive thru food pantries served 2,380 individuals on Thursday March 19th according to a Facebook post. As of 5 hours ago, their main website is down. If you’d like to help before the site is restored, you can visit their Facebook page fundraiser here https://www.facebook.com/harvesthopefoodbank/ or mail a check to them at P.O. Box 451, Columbia, SC 29202.
⦁ Mission Lexington is still supporting our neighbors. The thrift store is closed at least until March 31st according to their website, and pickups have been halted temporarily, but you can still donate https://missionlexingtonsc.org/donate to help neighbors in need.
⦁ Pawmetto Lifeline is currently taking foster applications. If you can’t permanently adopt a new family member, fostering is a great way to help reduce the load on Pawmetto until they can resume their regular schedule of adoption events. Check out the application here https://pawmettolifeline.org/get-involved/become-a-foster/ or consider donating funds if you can’t open your home to an animal in need https://pawmettolifeline.org/get-involved/donate/.
We’ll have more details about how you can get involved and support local non-profits and charities while under quarantine in our 3/26 edition of the Chronicle.