"Shop" and share love during the coronavirus shut down
It’s day two of who-knows-how-long staying at home and not doing life as usual. As many of you know I came home from China in January and never expected to see the same closures and empty public spaces from the corona virus here in the US. I was so wrong. I find myself once again self-quarantined at home. This time, not because I went to China but because I am one of millions who live in North Carolina. It feels scarier this time, especially when I think of the people in my community who will be more affected medically and economically by this virus and shut down situation. The least I can do, the least we can do is take the money we would be spending at restaurants, bars, shows, or on Amazon and “shop” organizations online, putting money where it is needed right now. Here are some of my favorite organizations that are based right here in North Carolina. Each of these does very tangible work in our community that I’ve seen with my own eyes. Giving will make a difference for others and may even bring YOU a little hope in worrisome times.
Out of the Garden Project
This organization based in Greensboro was started by a family friend who learned that children at her daughter’s school did not have enough food to eat at home. They now coordinate volunteers to provide thousands of meals to children and families each week. They redistribute food from supermarkets and local businesses to fight food waste and have an urban teaching farm, too! They have stepped up in a big way to fill in the gap left by school closures in central NC.
The Scrap Exchange
This “Creative Reuse Center” is definitely a Durham specialty. They collect materials, especially craft supplies from individuals and businesses and sell them in their retail store. The idea is to prevent useful items from going into the trash when they could be reused in another way. This is my favorite place to shop for craft supplies and packing supplies. They do workshops, reuse art shows, and are even making activity boxes for children stuck at home while schools are closed. They have closed their retail operations due to the virus and could use the extra support right now.
Student Action with Farmworkers
Based in Durham, SAF connects students with farmworkers in the Southeast. The student interns engage with farmworkers and work together to advocate for better conditions for those farmworkers. What is really unique about SAF is that many of their college student interns come from farmworker families and have the chance to positively impact the lives of families like theirs.
Latino Educational Achievement Partnership
I’ve had the joy of working directly with LEAP, providing speech therapy services in their preschools in Durham. They teach children in English and Spanish in half-day preschools designed to get their language and social skills ready for kindergarten. There aren’t many nonprofit or low-cost preschools where I live and this is my favorite place to recommend to families. They also provide tutoring for older children who are English language learners.
East Durham Children’s Initiative
EDCI connects families living in East Durham with services and support from infancy through high school. They work with other local organizations to get children ready for kindergarten, advocate for families with children in the public schools, provide ESL classes to parents, and much more. They even partner with LEAP to teach preschool children in East Durham!
Durham Animal Protection Society
Literally down the street from me, the Durham APS provides shelter and care for animals and also helps them find forever homes. My dog and number one girl Lucy is a rescue dog and has brought so much love and joy into my life. While she did not come from Durham APS, my sister’s dog Pippa did. I’m so glad the Durham APS gave Pippa love until she became my sister’s “firstborn child”.
Sending virtual hugs full of clay dust from my home studio to all of you!