Coronavirus: Here’s how you can help in the Dayton-area

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Here are ways you can help during the coronavirus pandemic:

• St. Vincent de Paul is in need of twin sheets, bath towels and washcloths. They can be donated to St. Vincent at 120 W. Apple St. Or you can purchase through Amazon and ship items to 120 W. Apple St., Dayton, Ohio 45402. The donation center is open 24 hours every day. St. Vincent is also in need of monetary donations. Donations can be made online through St. Vincent's website, stvincentdayton.org/covid-19/ . Donations can also be mailed to St. Vincent Administration at the Apple Street address. If you wish to volunteer with St. Vincent, they ask that all volunteers be healthy and not members of a higher-risk group for coronavirus. To volunteer, call 937-222-5555, ext. 103.

• Premier Health is looking for people who have recovered from coronavirus to donate plasma. Premier is accepting also donations of supplies and equipment, food and financial support. Contact helpinghands@premierhealth.com to offer supplies and other assistance. If you wish to donate food to health-care workers, please email your company name, contact name and availability date to helpinghands@premierhealth.com. Premier asks that donations are not dropped off directly at hospital entrances, emergency departments or physician office locations. The health network is not able to accept donations of homemade food. Visit premierhealth.com/services/infectious-disease-care/covid19-info-and-how-to-help/ways-to-help for more information.

U.S. Air Force Airman Kevin Reed, 88th Air Base Wing Communications Squadron, stocks shelves as a volunteer at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base commissary on April 9.(U.S. Air Force photo/Ty Greenlees)

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• Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley hosts food pantries and runs several other assistance programs throughout the area. The CSSMV has a need for financial aid, along with size 4 and 5 diapers. For financial aid and donations contact Mike Lehner at 937-223-7217 ext. 1142 or email lehnerm@ccsmv.org. You may also make financial gifts online at cssmv.org. For volunteer opportunities contact Mike Hoendorf at 937-223-7217 ext. 1141 or email hoendorfm@cssmv.org. All volunteers must be between 18-50 years old and free of all symptoms.

• Project READ is looking for volunteer tutors for the Raise a Reader and Tutors Like Me initiatives along with the Youth Learning Services and Adult Learning Services programs. For more information on tutoring, email projectread@sinclair.edu. Project READ is also accepting book donations. There are currently 12 bins but the program is looking for businesses to help expand the donation bin locations. For large donations call the helpline at 937-461-7323. Bin locations can be found at project-read.org/book-donations. Monetary donations can be given at project-read.org or on Facebook at projectreaddayton. Project READ is also looking for a business to step up and purchase 1,000-2,000 tickets to the Concert for Literacy to provide to front line workers as a thank you for their response during the crisis.

• House of Bread is serving carryout meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. seven days a week. The organization is asking for monetary support as physical items may pose a risk to staff. For more information go to houseofbread.org.

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• The Foodbank is currently doing a drive-through only pantry at 56 Armor Place in Dayton. The organization is also not accepting food donations from the public for the time being, but is seeking cash donations. Monetary donations can be made at the Food Bank's website, thefoodbankdayton.org.

• Homefull is looking for monetary donations and cleaning supplies. Donations can be shipped to 829 South Gettysburg Ave. or you can make a gift online by going to homefull.org/get-involved/give-money/.

• Dayton Foundation has set up a COVID-19 Response Fund which will distribute all proceeds to vetted nonprofit organizations. To donate visit daytonfoundation.org/covideresponsefund-how-to-give.html.

• YWCA Dayton has an Amazon Wish List for needs set up through Amazon Smile at ywcadayton.org/wishlist. YWCA is also taking financial donations at ywcadayton.org/donate and is asking for the community to send encouraging messages to residents, clients and staff. Send a message by mail to YWCA Dayton with attention to communications, 141 W. Third St., Dayton, OH, 45402 or email to communications@ywcadayton.org.

• Salvation Army and Sinclair Cares joined forces to create a "Your Neighbor Needs You" relief fund. To donate visit give.salvationarmyusa.org/campaign/sinclair-cares-covid-19/c277719.

• Ohio Restaurant Association is looking for monetary donations to the Ohio Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. To give visit ohiorestaurantsrelief.org/aws/MARX/pt/sp/RR_home_page or email relief@ohiorestaurant.org.

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• Declare is updating a Living City Project page with a list of current volunteer opportunities and donation needs in the greater Dayton area. For more information visit declare.org/livingcityproject or call 937-476-7521. To register to volunteer go to declare.org/givehelp and for medical workers declare.org/givemedicalhelp. Volunteers will be required to meet the age, health and professional requirements of the organization they serve.

• Hannah's Treasure Chest provides children's supplies to various partner agencies throughout the Miami Valley. HTC has an urgent need for monetary donations, disinfectant wipes and crib mattresses. To make a financial gift visit hannahstreasure.org/wp1/. A list of other accepted items can be found at hannahstreasure.org/wp1/get-involved/donate/wish-list/. Items can be dropped off in donation bins located at 124 Westpark Road in Centerville. HTC is also looking for volunteers for the Blankets and Bears program. Anyone with an interest in sewing can e-mail trudy.bechtolt@hannahstreasure.org. Patterns and materials can be provided.

The coronavirus prevention efforts may be contributing to fewer flu hospitalizations, health officials say. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

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• Dayton Public Schools are accepting volunteers to assist with food distribution. To sign up go to dps.k12.oh.us/Food-Distribution.html and submit an • Greater Dayton Area Hospital Associationapplication. DPS asks that any volunteers be under the age of 50 and over the age of 18 or volunteer under the supervision of a parent/legal guardian. Volunteers can't reside with or come in regular contact with anyone over the age of 50 and in the past 14 days have not had a fever, cough or shortness of breath.

• Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association is looking for homemade masks and related supplies. Donations can be dropped off at St. Vincent de Paul, 945 S. Edwin C. Moses Dr. on Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations should be delivered in plastic bags no larger than 13 gallons. For more information, including instructions on assembling masks, visit gdaha.org/1674-2/.

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