COVID-19 crisis has SLO County nonprofits scrambling for volunteers, donations — and face masks

Here’s another way coronavirus has changed life as we know it: Nonprofit organizations doing vital work in our communities are running out of volunteers and supplies — especially personal protection items.

These are agencies that provide essential services like temporary housing and meal distribution.

Here’s what they’re facing:

• A dedicated and dependable corps of volunteers 65 and over has been directed to shelter at home on account of their increased vulnerability to the disease. That’s decimated the ranks of some volunteer organizations. For example, Meals that Connect, which delivers meals to seniors, says that between 85% and 90% of their volunteer drivers are seniors themselves.
• Cal Poly is another source of volunteers, and with the university closed, many students have returned to their home towns.
• Due to the COVID-19 crisis, organizations have taken on more responsibilities, such as health screenings of shelter clients and stepped-up sanitation measures. ECHO, a 24-hour homeless shelter in Atascadero, is caring for 10 children who are no longer in school and whose parents are working during the day. “We’re looking at adding someone to extend mentoring and tutoring,” said Wendy Lewis, ECHO CEO. Its case management programs also are still up and running. Just this week, for example, four different families or individuals found permanent housing.
• As more San Luis Obispo County businesses and industries shut down, many people will see their incomes shrink. That means more people will be seeking assistance with food, shelter and other essentials.

If you’re healthy and under 65, you can help SLO County communities get through this. These are extraordinary —times, and the need has literally never been greater.

There also is a big need for cash donations and supplies for homeless shelters, meal programs and medical care providers.

Here is a list of organizations in need of help:

Cal Poly Cat Program: Needs shelter helpers, adopters and fosters. For information, visit catprogram.calpoly.edu.

CAPSLO: Needs volunteers at 40 Prado Homeless Services Center in San Luis Obispo to supply and serve meals. Apply online at www.capslo.org/volunteer. Also needs cash donations, which can be made at www.capslo.org/donation-homeless, coats, clean or new sleeping bags, coffeen non-dairy creamer, sugar, breakfast cereals, socks, underwear, toilet paper and paper towels, cleaning supplies, surgical gloves and N-95 masks.

Community Health Centers of the Central Coast: Doesn’t need volunteers, but has but out an urgent call cash donations, N-95 masks and disinfectant wipes and solutions. The nonprofit medical care provider has several clinics in San Luis Obipso County, as is seeing hundreds of new patients worried about exposure to coronavirus. Contact Linda CostaChief Financial Officer, CHC(805) 346-3912 or lcosta@chccc.org.

ECHO: Is asking for volunteers ages 18 through 64. Volunteer opportunities are listed at https://www.echoshelter.org/volunteer. In addition to volunteers, ECHO has put out a call for cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items and those precious N-95 masks.

Five Cities Christian Women Food Pantry: In Grover Beach. Distributes food Monday through Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. Volunteers needed for morning and afternoon shifts, to bag grocery items and place bags in clients’ car trunks. Text Marlene Jeung at 559-280-1649 for information.

5 Cities Homeless Coalition: It has been partnering in operating a warming shelter at a South County church, but because there is no isolation area for someone showing symptoms, it may not be able to continue there. The organization is working with the county on finding an alternative, such as a safe parking area for those with vehicles, according to Executive Director Janna Nichols. The agency does need protective equipment, especially masks. “That’s something viturally every homeless services provider has asked for,” said Nichols.

Meals that Connect: Also known as Senior Nutrition. It has a huge need right now for drivers, as the organization has closed its dining sites and shifted everyone to home-delivered meals. That increased the number of routes from 32 to around 45. Routes are done in the morning, and take between one and two hours to complete. Drivers are needed throughout the county. Call 805-541-3312 or sign up here.

San Luis Obispo Food Bank: Needs people 16 and older who show no signs of respiratory illness to help pack bags of produce and groceries for distribution. Click here to sign up.

If you would like your organization to be added to the list, email sfinucane@thetribunenews.com.

This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 5:00 AM.