Mr. Rogers famously said “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”
These days, we need the “helpers” more than ever. Make masks, run errands for a neighbor, or decorate your neighborhood with chalk drawings. Big or little, the effort helps you and others. If you can help or if you need help, we encourage you to look to local organizations standing ready to provide assistance. Here are some of our favorites:
Bridgeport Hospital Foundation COVID-19 Support Fund –
The Hospital has established an emergency fund to assist with patient care, testing, medication and medical supplies during this critical time. The Fund will also provide much needed support to hospital staff. If you want to contribute or need assistance with medical expenses, please check out their website.
https://foundation.bridgeporthospital.org/
Fairfield County Community Foundation COVID-19 Resiliency Fund –
Donated funds will be given directly to local organizations which are providing direct, front line services. The Community Foundation supports local organizations who are helping high need, vulnerable neighbors. The Community Foundation’s Community Impact Team will identify and research organizations seeking funding to help your dollars make the biggest impact.
https://fccfoundation.org/covid19resiliencyfund/
nOURish Bridgeport –
nOURish Bridgeport is a “small but mighty” organization that provides a food pantry and a hot meal to Bridgeport’s most vulnerable populations. They are one of the only food pantries in the region to include diapers and baby formula. During the current pandemic, they are organizing grocery delivery services to those in need.
https://www.facebook.com/nOURishBridgeport/
Fairfield COVID-19 Relief Fund –
The Fairfield COVID-19 Relief Fund, created by the municipal government, will provide grants ranging from $250 to $2,500 to help residents cover the costs of housing, medical care, child care, automobile loans or leases, utilities and other support services. In announcing the fund, the town stipulated that the “intended use of the funds must be directly related to the effects of the virus.” The town is also seeking tax-deductible donations to help build the fund, which is being administered by the nonprofit Operation Hope.
https://operationhopect.org/donate/
Food For the Front Lines –
Food For The Front Lines has delivered over 1800 meals to healthcare workers across Fairfield County. Donations are used to purchase meals from local participating restaurants and deliver them to first responders all over Fairfield County. This helps keeps restaurants in business and provides support to our first responders as well as other groups helping at-risk youth.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/we-over-me
Give blood
Blood banks across the country need blood. If you are healthy, please consider donating blood. https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html
This is a stressful time for all of us. If we here at Brody Wilkinson can help in anyway, please let us know.