Giving Back During Covid19
The “new normal” comes with a lot of changes. I know it’s hard not to focus on the negative impacts. There are many people doing positive things that I’d love to share. Businesses, companies, organizations, and individuals are spreading kindness and hope through very thoughtful acts.
Here are some acts of kindness done in light of the COVID19 Pandemic happening right now. I hope this brightens our spirits a bit.
Starbucks
I am a coffee drinker. I love my one (sometimes two) cups of French Roast Starbucks coffee every day. We brew at it home, but I know many are out there every day on the frontlines going into work. I am sure they are feeling extra fatigue from working longer hours during the pandemic.
Starbucks is generously offering a free cup of hot or iced coffee to all paramedics, firefighters, and other medical and hospital staff during this time. I honestly think this is such an awesome little gesture and way to support all of those doing so much right now.
PIPCORN: Heirloom Snacks
Pipcorn is offering the perfect snack to pair with your virtual game nights, Google happy hours and Netflix marathons. Upgrade your latest social distancing soiree with these yummy heirloom corn based snacks. From heirloom popcorn to snack crackers, the whole family is sure to enjoy these snacks.
Twenty-five percent of sales from the snack crackers go to Save with Stories. The heirloom snack crackers are made sustainably with leftover cornflour from the brand’s heirloom cheese balls and come in three delicious flavors, cheddar, sea salt, and everything (my personal favorite).
You can purchase these yummy bites at Pipsnacks.com. And you can also send to your friend of choice — there’s even an option to include a custom note if you choose!
In addition to donating a portion of proceeds to Save with Stories, Pipcorn is also sending snacks to hospitals and ERs across the country to directly support frontline healthcare professionals. As a Brooklyn-based brand, Pipcorn also partnered with the New York Food Truck Association to feed doctors, nurses, and other first responders at New York City hospitals, including NYU Langone and Mount Sinai.
So next time you are thinking about which snack to pair with your movie of the night, check out Pipsnacks.com.
ZOOM
Who else has been adding zoom dates to their calendars? Zoom is a great way to stay connected with family and friends during this time. It allows people to conference in through a webcam similar to Facetime and Skype. It is mostly used for teleconferencing, telecommuting, distance education, and social relations.
With COVID-19 making Zoom more popular than ever; it is now free for schools and has lifted its 40-minute meeting limit.
Off Their Plate – NYC COVID 19 Response Organization
Partnering with prominent and local restaurants such as Saigon Social, Golden Diner, Adda, and Fish Cheeks, OTP has helped restaurateurs rehire staff and feed healthcare workers in the hardest-hit areas of New York. They deliver weekly meals to hospitals including Elmhurst in Queens, and Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn.
Since mid-March, OTP has expanded to 9 cities nationwide and raised over $2.2M. This has enabled the organization to be able to deliver over 100,000 meals. It has also restored nearly $600,000 in restaurant wages over the coming weeks.
Lycored
Lycored is teaming up with Food4hungry to help feed the vulnerable and spread some much-needed cheer with their ‘Letters to a Stranger’ initiative.
Specialists from Lycored in the research and development of wellness products is calling upon the nutrition industry to come together (virtually) and offer support during the coronavirus crisis.
Industry professionals (including New Food’s Editor) are being asked to write an anonymous note of encouragement, appreciation, or general positivity to a stranger. For every letter that is written, they say it will add fresh fruit or vegetables to a Food4hungry.org delivery – one of the largest food banks in California.
These food parcels will be sent to a vulnerable person with a printed version of your letter of encouragement.
If you’d like to spread some cheer to those who need it, visit www.littleglowapp.com.
Airbnb
Airbnb is an online marketplace that lets people rent out their properties or spare rooms to guests. It is often thought of as an alternative form of vacation stay instead of hotels.
They are currently partnering with Airbnb hosts in offering to subsidize housing for 100,000 workers at the front lines to participate in COVID-19 care.
Shine Your Light Movement
Shine your light movement is joining in on giving back to show women that there is a light inside of you that only YOU have the power to ignite and radiate outward. It’s the flame that warms up others. It’s the glow that unifies the world in LOVE.
They are partnering with Step Up and their Resiliency + Innovation Fund. They are generously donating $5 of every tank sold helps teen girls with mentorship, resiliency, and emotional support during the Covid-19 crisis.
So check out their website & maybe treat yourself and someone else to a shirt that makes a difference.
All of these initiatives plus so many more are really amazing to see. It is the light at the end of a dark tunnel that shows us how strong we can be. Especially when we unite and come together. I am beyond impressed at what everyone is doing, especially during trying times such as these.
Please feel free to share these resources with any friends or family you think could benefit at this time. I hope you all are staying as safe and as healthy as can be. Also, that you find some comfort in these words.
Kristin McGee is a celebrity yoga and Pilates instructor in New York City. She is currently teaching yoga with Peloton. She is the star of over 100 videos, seen in several magazines and tv shows and is a spokeswoman for many brands and causes she believes in. A proud mom to three, she sure keeps herself busy!