Last updated Monday, April 13
We will be updating this post frequently through the spring with information about how you can help in the community during this coronavirus outbreak. We will also provide links to assistance that is available.
“We are a resilient City. We have been through difficult times before and we will get through this.” — Mayor Justin Wilson in a special edition Mayor’s email to residents on March 16.
Spring2ACTion: Alexanria's Giving Day is set for April 15, moved up from April 29 to meet the needs of local nonprofit organizations.
Spring2ACTion has raised millions for local nonprofit organizations over the past 10 years. Early giving started April 3. Learn more at Spring2ACTion.org.
Protecting the Homeless
Carpenter's Shelter has opened a Safety Shelter at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. David's Place/Winter Shelter guests have been transported to the new shelter, as the Winter Shelter is closing for the season.
The Safety Shelter will provide our guests with an appropriate place to social distance and “stay-at-home.” Please consider contacting jamilasmith@carpentersshelter.org to arrange a meal donation OR making a financial contribution at carpentersshelter.org/give in support of the operation of the Safety Shelter.
Supporting Essential Workers
Book Care Packages — Old Town Books is inviting reading enthusiasts to purchase a reading care package for essential workers and for children in need. For each donation received, Old Town Books will match it by 20 percent.
For example, for a $25 donation, it will provide a new book selected by the kids reading level, coloring worksheet, a reading challenging worksheet for tracking reading goals, and a small book-themed gift. Fulfilling Book Love Orders also keeps the store's employees employed. To date, they have raised enough funds to create nearly 40 care packages. Learn more at oldtownbooks.com.
Meals for Inova Healthcare Workers —The Goodhart Group real estate team has set up a Go-Fund Me page where people can donate any amount of money towards the cost of restaurant-prepared meals for front line hospital workers at Inova Alexandria Hospital.
They will be delivering individually pre-packaged meals to Alexandria Hospital each week in partnership with different local restaurants and a goal of 100 meals. In addition to donating to the fund ($15 covers one meal), please also consider supporting the local restaurant The Goodhart Group has partnered with that week with a pick up, delivery, or gift card purchase of your own.
Meals and Groceries for Residents
Volunteer Alexandria has a growing number of organizations in need of assistance this month, and there are ways you can help both virtually and safely in person.
One of the most critical needs is to help with food distribution for public school students for the rest of this school year. Go to volunteeralexandria.org or call 703-836-2176 for more information.
Although food donations are not being accepted by ALIVE!’s food bank at this time, they are requesting financial contributions to buy food and volunteers to sort and to distribute food. (Volunteers will be screened through Volunteer Alexandria.)
ACPS has arranged food for ANY child 2-18 and ANY family who needs it.
Senior Services is looking for volunteers to help with Meals on Wheels and Grocery Deliveries. Volunteers will need to undergo a background check. More information and the volunteer application can be found at seniorservicesalex.org/volunteer. (Obviously volunteers should be healthy and not at-risk themselves.
In addition, United Community, one of the main charitable organizations serving the Richmond Highway area, reported that they saw twice as many people as normal visit their Fordson Road food pantry in March. The last two weeks of March were the busiest for the food pantry, and United Community said in a press release that they expect demand to continue to grow in April. They are seeking donate to their efforts to continue feeding SE Fairfax County residents in need. More information is available at unitedcommunity.org.
Carpenter's Shelter
According to Carpenter's Shelter, financial donations will make a big difference and can be completed safely online. Please consider making a donation today by clicking here!
Ina addition, the shelter is waiting for back orders to arrive. If you have extra hand sanitizer, laundry detergent and Clorox cleaning wipes, please donate those.
You can also make an in-kind donation (click on the in-kind tab on that page) or order from this Amazon Wishlist.
Medical and Nonprofit Needs
Alexandria's Medical Reserve Corps is in need of volunteers to (even if you have no medical experience). The MRC supports the Alexandria Health Dept. Training will be provided. Learn more at alexandriava.gov/MedicalReserve.
Inova Blood Services has significant need for blood donations during this time. (Yes, it is still safe to donate.)
Please consider donating through ACT for Alexandria and the Covid-19 Response Fund to help provide emergency assistance to Alexandrians in need.
Businesses & Restaurants
Temporary layoffs have hit our local businesses.
If you are still getting paid, please try to support your local businesses and restaurants.
Stomping Ground
Stomping Ground, like many other restaurants, has opened a "walk-up counter" at their front door to facilitate social distancing.
Dozens of restaurants are offering take-out or delivery options, even restaurants that normally do not offer this. Please go to the new ALX at Home website for details on which restaurants are offering take-out, along with which restaurants are offering to-go cocktails and more.
Alexandria now has two brew-thrus! No kidding: Both Lost Boy Cider and Port City Brewing are offering delivery to your car door at their business locations, even though tasting rooms are closed. Aslin Beer Co. is offering delivery services.
For your favorite retail businesses, please continue to support them by purchasing gift cards or using their drive-through or delivery services. A few businesses have even asked that you send messages to their landlord asking for rent forgiveness during this difficult period, as well. (A call to your favorite store asking, ‘How can I help?’ is a good way to start.)
Several local gyms are moving group fitness classes, yoga classes and other services online. Please contact your health and wellness facility for more information on how to stay healthy while supporting them.
Keep your pet services going. Your pet will love seeing their friends, and it is unlikely your pet will transmit coronavirus to you. (Read more about pet safety here.)
Call your doctor’s office, dentist or veterinarian before you go: Many of those places are asking people to wait in their car instead of in their waiting room, among other measures, so be sure you know what protocols they want you to follow when you arrive.
In Your Neighborhood
Please watch out for your vulnerable neighbors (from a distance).
Nextdoor and other neighborhood listservs are a good place to offer to go run errands for neighbors who are under self-quarantine due to compromised immune systems or other restrictions. Sign up for those online lists or local online groups if you are not already on them.
A new Facebook group, Alexandrians Helping Alexandrians During COVID-19, has launched to connect neighbors, as well.
Check on parents of elementary-aged children. They may need some relief or assistance as they figure out how to home school their children and telework simultaneously. If you can tutor, provide an alternative education opportunity or share your hobby, please do so.
Additional Assistance
Comcast is providing free "Internet Essentials" service to low-income families for 60 days.
All of the utilities serving Alexandria City residents have suspended disconnects due to non-payment, including, water, gas and telecommunications.
For those whose jobs have been impacted by the virus outbreak, information is available from the Virginia Employment Commission.
