“We are not all in the same boat, but we are all in the same storm.”
These are isolating times. Everyone (everyone!) is experiencing some sort of grief, loss, transition, or at least major disruption in their lives right now. We all need help or assistance of some kind, and we all have unique resources, skills, and talents to offer.
Both receiving and giving assistance during difficult times increases our individual and community resilience. These actions increase hope, foster a sense of control, and prepare us to recover — even thrive! — in the long term. Assisting each other does not require large commitments of money, time, or personal risk. We just need the desire to help and a bit of creativity!
Below are a couple of opportunities to help our fellow KC citizens.
Food Pantry Donations/Volunteering
More local individuals and families are in need of temporary nutritional support than ever, and donations to food pantries overall have dropped drastically during the pandemic. Most local food pantries keep a current “wish list” of needed supplies on their websites and most accept monetary donations as well. Many have created “COVID safe” sites for volunteers to sort and pack food boxes to bring out to recipients vehicles for no-contact distribution. (As a side note, donations of generic/store brand, shelf-stable foods (like beans, rices, canned veggies) are ALWAYS needed and appreciated.
- Harvesters
- MCC Food Pantry
- St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Therese Church
- Thelma’s Kitchen at Reconciliation Services
- Meals on Wheels (search by ZIP code)
- Feeding America
Blood Donation
We continue to have a critical blood shortage in KC (and across the United States), as need has not decreased, but blood drives have been canceled and regular donation appointments have dropped off due the COVID-19 pandemic. Local organizations have created “COVID safe,” appointment-based blood donation sites, including many mobile and single-day donation events. The following websites have the most current details and allow donors to schedule appointments online (bonus: the American Red Cross is testing all blood donations for Covid19 antibodies and will notify donors of the results).
- Community Blood Center (expanded hours at seven KC metro area donor centers; schedule appointments at 877-468-6844 or savealifenow.org)
- The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas City (info and appointment scheduling at 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org)
Healthcare at KDCPC
Lastly, we’re here to help and give back too. With the generous support of our patient community — matched dollar-for-dollar by the clinic — we’ve developed a sponsorship fund to help people who have been financially impacted by the pandemic and resultant economic shutdown.
We care for people. And right now isn’t the time for our patients to lose their doctor. If you want to donate to the effort or are wanting to apply for help paying for your monthly membership, please complete this form and send it back to us — electronic or printed are both ok.
Many more ideas to come as we venture into the winter months!
Yours in health,
Christina Crumpecker, MD
Kansas City Direct Primary Care