There are significant needs right now among many people and communities throughout the world. For those of you who have the capacity to give your time/money, here are some Philadelphia-based organizations that the Lindy Center has researched who are engaging volunteers, raising funds, organizing, and seeking other resources. They are divided into specific social issue areas, with some additional sites at the end where you can find more information. Organizations with asterisks (*) are close partners of the Lindy Center. We are happy to take suggestions and consider expanding this beyond the Philadelphia area, as we have capacity. Please email Cara, ces337@drexel.edu, with additions, comments, and questions.
Please note that all appropriate social distancing measures should be observed during any engagement activities. Per the CDC and WHO, stay home and do not have contact with others if you:
- display any symptoms including but not limited to: shortness of breath, fever, chills, weakness, and others
- have traveled outside of the country in the past month
- have been in contact with someone who is sick or had any symptoms
- have not practiced social distancing
Food Access
- MANNA* - need volunteers to help cook, package, and distribute food
- Share Food Program*
- Philabundance*
- Feast of Justice*
- Sharing Excess*
- Sunday Love Project*
- Jewish Relief Agency (JRA)*
- Old Pine Community Center* (link is to donation page - donations go toward continuing to provide takeaway food and meals to the community)
- Feast Incarnate* - serving to-go meals on Tuesdays at 5pm. Volunteers needed beginning at 4pm to pack and distribute.
Homelessness and Housing
- Bethesda Project* - need supply donations as well as decorations, cards, positive message videos, and activity kits
- Project Home*
- Broad Street Ministry*
Community and Economic Development
- Our Closet* - while pop-up shops have been closed, the Emergency Clothing program is still assisting people in crisis and needs donations, especially: Men’s casual clothing items (jeans, shorts, sweats, hoodies, short sleeve polos - no dress clothes) in all sizes, Women’s casual clothing items in L/XL/Plus sizes, Children’s clothes in all sizes and genders, Casual shoes in all sizes (adult and kids) - (sneakers, flats, sandals, etc. - no heels). Clothes can be safely dropped off with no contact at the warehouse at 400 S. State Rd. Springfield, PA 19064, in the Marple Crossroads shopping center, Mondays, 12pm-2:30pm and Thursdays, 10:00am-12:00pm. Schedule a donation by contacting program coordinator, Ricki, at (267) 256-2179 or ricki@ourclosetpa.org.
- United Communities Southeast Philadelphia
- The Common Place*
- Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation*
- Salvation Army Greater Philadelphia*
- Invisible Hands PHL - volunteers needed for contactless delivery of items to Philadelphians in high-risk categories.
Health and Medical
- Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps
- Wistar Institute Coronavirus Discovery Fund
- Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children*
- African Family Health Organization (AFAHO)*
- Free online contact-tracing courses: Johns Hopkins University and Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
- Contact-tracing information from the PA Department of Health
Animal Rescue and Animal Rights
Arts and Culture
- Office of Arts, Culture, & the Creative Economy (this is a list of funding and other opportunites)
- COVID-19 Arts Aid Fund
- Art Sphere Inc.*
Education and Youth
Mass Incarceration
- Philadelphia Community Bail Fund
- PA Prison Society
- Youth Sentencing and Reentry Project
- Amistad Law Project
Immigration and Culturally-Specific
Local Government and Civic Institutions
Additional Resources
- COVID Response - a website created by a Drexel Med student to aggregate opportunities, especially for medical students and professionals
- Virtual Volunteering Info and Ideas from AARP
- Philly Mutual Aid - Neighbors Helping Neighbors
- Mutual Aid Resource List for Philadelphia from Philly We Rise
- Philly Mayor's Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service volunteer opportunity database
- List of food distribution sites in Philadelphia
- Philadelphia's response to COVID-19: How you can help
- UN Volunteers online volunteering site
- Philly Protest - a compilation of actions around the city related to racial justice and other social change
- Becoming a Virtual Volunteer - guide from "Student Training and Education in Public Service"
