As many of us find ourselves spending more time at home than we typically would as Austin eases into spring, I’ve definitely heard some anxiety from friends and family about how to stay busy and productive. And, for us at YWA, it’s been incredibly disappointing to have to postpone community service events.
Even though it’s uncharted territory, we all have opportunities to give back, even as we’re following the best social distance guidelines. Here are a few ideas for continuing to add value to our community from amidst your own four walls.
Spring Cleaning For Donations
Spring, that time of renewal, is a classic time for that head-to-toe house cleanup-and-cleanout — and now that you’re home anyway, you might as well! While you’re freshening up home base, keep an eye out for any new or gently used items you no longer need or want.
There are a number of organizations in the Austin area that could take those items and repurpose them for families in need.
1. Overhaul your closet.
If you have piles of clothes you haven’t worn in ages, or things that just don’t fit quite right anymore, there’s no better time to say goodbye. There are two organizations that could benefit from the gently used or unneeded clothing items you’re ready to part with:
- Send black clothing to Posada Esperanza — which provides transitional housing to immigrant mothers and their children. Many of the women living in these homes work in positions that require a uniform of all black clothing.
- Send professional attire to Dress for Success, an organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by, in part, providing them with the clothing they need to get a head start. View their needs.
2. Cull your kitchen tools.
Almost everyone has at least one kitchen drawer or cabinet that is overflowing with things you don’t need and that don’t have a place. Or maybe there’s a kitchen item of which you somehow ended up with 10. Send any and all extra kitchen items: towels, oven mitts, pots, pans, plates, bowls, silverware, etc. to Posada Esperanza.
3. Organize your office.
Whether you’re one of the many professionals who’s recently had to adjust to a new office in your own home, or you’ve been working from home for ages, it’s a great time to get that area in tip-top shape. Send art & craft supplies and office supplies to Austin Creative Reuse to support sustainability and art together!
4. Audit your reading material.
If you’ve been hoarding books and magazines but are ready to make some space on your shelves, consider Inside Books Project, an organization that provides reading material to prisoners in Texas. Here’s a list of their most requested books, but please note they also need magazines! When preparing packages, you need to stay within a certain weight range — magazines help fill the package with as much content as possible.
5. Clean out the medicine chest and the cabinets under the sink.
Despite the ever-changing conditions around COVID-19, SAFE is still continuing to provide services to victims of abuse, exploitation, and domestic violence. They’re in need of a number of hygienic products like razors, feminine items, and diapers and wipes, as well as cleaning supplies such as paper towels, bleach, soap, etc. See the full list of their current needs.
Buy With AmazonSmile
As we try to keep our social distance, ecommerce may be our new best friend. So, if you’re purchasing through Amazon, don’t forget about AmazonSmile.
Shopping through AmazonSmile means that the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. There is no change in products, prices, or shopping features for you — just your desire to donate.
Foster a Pet for Double the Love
Let’s face it: isolation can be a bit lonely. Fill your home with love and foster a pet! This is a great time to open your home to an animal in need, and to take some of the strain off of volunteers in our city’s very full shelters. Austin Pets Alive is a great resource, or you can also look to the Austin Animal Center, the Austin Humane Society, or any number of other life-saving organizations in the area.
Send Us Your Ideas!
If you have other ideas of how our members can contribute to the community while still following social distancing guidelines, we’d love to hear them!
1 comment. Leave new
I love the idea of donating office supplies to Austin Creative Reuse. They do sales for Teachers during Back to School season, so those supplies will definitely go to good use. Great post!