How to Use Your Phone for Good

In times like these, everyone wants to do their part to help combat the spread of COVID-19. One of the biggest ways you can help out in these uncertain times is by staying home and social distancing. But how are you supposed to keep helping if you’re stuck at home? Well for starters, you can use your phone.

People who want to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can text to donate a one-time gift to a variety of organizations that are helping to keep us healthy and safe. It’s a quick and easy way to contribute.

Here are some of the organizations you can choose to donate to, and the codes that you can use to text them.

American Nurses Association – Text THANKS to 20222

You can text “THANKS” to 20222 to donate $10 to the American Nurses Association to provide direct financial aid to nurses affected by the virus, information deployment and psychological support. At this point in time, nurses are on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19, and they need all the support they can get. The American Nurses Association has created a Coronavirus Response Fund for Nurses to address the needs of nurses and other healthcare workers during the pandemic. Visit their coronavirus resources webpage for more information.

American Red Cross – Text GIVE to 90999

Text “GIVE” to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross to help those where it’s needed most. The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance and disaster relief. Right now, they’re focused on combatting COVID-19 by keeping up the volume of blood donations and participating in the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Program, in which fully recovered patients donate plasma to help those who are currently battling the virus.

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Feeding America – Text DONATE to 50555

Text “DONATE” to 50555 to donate $25 to Feeding America, which provides meals to families in this time of need. With school closures and job disruptions, more people are turning to food banks. Feeding America’s response to the current crisis is to implement emergency food boxes, drive-through pantries and more long-term means of support. They have also launched a COVID-19 Response Fund, which raises both money and food supplies to support food banks and those in need. They’re also making sure that children who once relied on school meals still have access to food. In addition to food, Feeding America distributes household items like personal hygiene products, diapers and cleaning supplies.

Oxfam America – Text OXFAM to 20222

You can text “OXFAM” to 20222 to donate $20 to Oxfam America. In response to COVID-19, Oxfam America will be leveraging their expertise in water, sanitation and hygiene while advocating for the most vulnerable. Oxfam is working with their partners in over 50 countries (including the US) to limit the impact of COVID-19 on people and communities that are especially marginalized. Oxfam America works directly with these communities to help them access information, clean water and food assistance.

Save the Children – Text SAVE to 20222

Text “SAVE” to 20222 to donate $10 to Save the Children, which provides meals when schools are closed, supports mobile meal trucks, food banks and other community feeding programs. Save the Children also provides educational toys, books and worksheets to help kids cope with the added stress and make up for lost time in the classroom. With more than 1 billion children out of school worldwide (and over 30 million out of school in the US), children who rely on school as a safe place and a source of food are at risk. Supporting Save the Children can help alleviate the special ways that the pandemic affects the lives of children. Save the Children is training healthcare teams on how to protect themselves and others to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They are also supplying personal protective equipment to those on the front lines.

The World Central Kitchen – Text FOOD to 80100

You can text “FOOD” to 80100 to donate $10 to the World Central Kitchen to provide meals to families in this time of need. World Central Kitchen is dedicated to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters, collaborating with local chefs and food suppliers. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, World Central Kitchen launched #ChefsForAmerica to help both local communities and struggling restaurants. At time of writing, they’ve served more than 750,000 fresh and healthy meals to food-insecure communities, healthcare workers, children and the elderly. They even opened a “café” at the Mount Sinai field hospital to support frontline medical staff.

United Nations Foundation – Text WHO25 to 501501

Text “WHO25” to 501501 to donate $25 to the United Nations Foundation (in partnership with the World Health Organization) and the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. The United Nations Foundation supports the United Nations’ causes in humanitarian activities. In partnership with the World Health Organization, the United Nations Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund supports WHO as it coordinates efforts across the world to prevent, detect and respond to the virus. This includes equipping healthcare workers with personal protective equipment and accelerating efforts to develop vaccines and treatments.

If you have the ability to donate, consider some of the causes and organizations listed above. They are each, in their own way, doing their part to protect and support all of us. One short text on your phone could mean a mask for a healthcare worker, a hot meal for a child or access to water and soap for a vulnerable community. Besides, it’s an incredibly easy way to donate to a great cause.

Staying home and not breaking quarantine is half the battle. But if you want to help out even more, texting any one of these organizations to donate some money is a great start.

Which of these organizations interests you? Let us know in the comments below!