How To Help Montgomery County During Coronavirus Outbreak

BETHESDA, MD — Amid the stress and disruption caused by COVID-19, a silver lining has emerged: people are helping one another.

In Montgomery County, residents are donating personal protective equipment to hospital staff, blood to patients in critical condition, and food to struggling families.

There is no shortage of volunteer opportunities in the county. Those who want to help can sign up on the county's website.

Here are some volunteer opportunities:

BCC RESCUE SQUAD SEEKING MEALS

• The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad wants to provide meals to their first responders so they don't have to arrange meals or unnecessarily expose themselves to the virus while on duty.
• Crews are accepting dry, pantry-appropriate goods and donations from restaurants and commercial kitchens.
• Contact BCCRS Treasurer Chris Jennison (christopher.jennison@bccrs.org) if you're interested in donating or purchasing food for first responders.

SCRUB MASKS FOR NURSES

• Suburban Hospital in Bethesda is accepting scrub hats for their nurses.
• Here's a free pattern for seamsters.
• Donations should be dropped off at the hospital's main entrance (security will pick up the items).
• Questions should be directed to Pam Fogan at pfogan1@jhmi.edu or 301-896-3093.

EMERGENCY FUND DONATIONS TO SUPPORT TEEN PARENTS

• Generation Hope, a nonprofit that serves nearly 100 teen parents and their children in the D.C. area, is seeking donations.
• These donations, according to GH, will help cover the cost of living, basic needs, and education for teen parents and their children.
• Donations can be made here.
• Questions or concerns? Reach out to susanne@supportgenerationhope.org.

DONATE MEDICAL SUPPLIES

• The Jubilee Association of Maryland, a disability services and support organization in Kensington, is in need of medical supplies.
• People can donate temporal forehead thermometers, N95 face masks, Lysol or Clorox disinfectant wipes (must say disinfectant on the label), and cloth masks (purchased or sewn).
• Donations can be shipped to Jubilee's office:

Attn: Bethany Coomes
10408 Montgomery Ave.
Kensington, MD 20895

• People dropping off supplies should call Bethany Coomes ahead of time (301-949-8628, ext. 131). Plan to come between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. so you can get your temperature taken.
• Contact Niaya Wade at nwade@jubileemd.org for questions or to get a receipt for your donation.

BAGGED LUNCHES NEEDED

• People can make bagged lunches for those in need at Shepherd's Table.
• Lunches should consist of:
  • A sandwich (turkey and cheese are most popular, but peanut butter and jelly also works).
  • A piece of fruit.
  • A single-serve bag of potato chips.
  • Juice box (optional).
  • Granola bar (optional).
• Drop food off at Shepherd's Table (8106 Georgia Ave., right behind the fire station).
  • Drop-off hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Those who can't or don't feel comfortable leaving their home: Silver Spring Cares is coordinating pickups for bagged lunches and other urgently needed items.
  • Click here to schedule a pickup.

DONATE PPE

• Montgomery County's Office of Emergency Management and Health Department are working together with community nonprofits to address the public health crisis.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is in high demand. Frontline health care workers need them in order to protect themselves and others while on the job.
• County officials are asking people to donate or sew PPE.
• Items should be delivered to one of the Office of Emergency Management's Donations Tents:
  • 2000 Dennis Ave., Silver Spring — Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • 100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg — Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Got other items to donate? Click here.