For many people, life was so hard before this pandemic.
My heart breaks imagining the stress, dismay, and anxiety that some are feeling right now. I’ve received notes from single moms losing jobs, folks battling illness (physical, mental, emotional) while navigating all this, physicians in the frontlines fearful even as they make deep sacrifices to keep our communities healthy and people who are just straight anxious about everything.
Now, many people are feeling understandably alone and afraid.
Remember, we are in this together. In San Jose, we just received the order to shelter in place. Over the next couple of weeks I’ll be researching resources available for people seeking help. Please message me if you have suggestions.
In the meantime, here are some ways you can help small businesses in your local area:
- Support the service, arts, and small business owners in your life individually – reach out and ask them if they need help or Venmo them to support!
- Drop off groceries at your elderly neighbor’s home or ask how you can help
- Pay your house cleaner anyway – and caregivers, hairdressers, landscapers, etc. Offer an advance if you can
- Buy gift cards to use later
- Shop online but from small, local businesses only
- Do one thing that inspires you daily – yes, you matter too!
- Tip service workers extra… delivery drivers, grocery store clerks, transit and utility workers and so many others are our unsung heroes in this crisis
- Order food for delivery or takeout from local independent restaurants
- Support a local business as you stock up on essentials — coffee beans, bread, and meat all freeze well.
- Sign up for a community-supported agriculture box to get produce directly from a small farm
- When you go out to a grocery store or pharmacy, choose an independent one, not a chain, if possible
- If you’re a property owner, offer rent relief or forgiveness if you are able
- Support less tech-literate folks setup GoFundMe etc
- Purchase museum memberships
- Save your favorite local restaurant – If you live in the SF Bay Area here’s how: https://saveourfaves.org/southbay
I’m 100% certain that if we pull together as a global family, we’ll make it through. In fact, I believe that within this crisis lies an opportunity for us to grow stronger, wiser, and more resilient as a result.
With so much ❤️
Wandia