Deniz Realty Partners Guide: Nonprofit Organizations that Need Help Now in Our Community
COVID-19 has caused panic for everyone in our communities; however, this panic extends even further for those who don’t have the basic necessities and resources many of us are very blessed to have. It’s in times like these that giving back to our communities is more essential now than ever. We have created a list of nonprofit organizations in the Central Florida area that need volunteers and donations to meet the increasing demands for their help. If you’re healthy, have extra resources to spare or time to give, consider helping these organizations below.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Second Harvest Food Bank helps feed people in six Central Florida counties, including Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia. With the current pandemic, the amount of their daily meals distributed has nearly doubled to 190,000 a day! They need food donations and volunteers to help prepare and distribute all of these meals. To donate or volunteer visit their website here.
Orlando Day Nursery
Orlando Day Nursery is a nonprofit organization in downtown Orlando that has been helping families in crisis since the 1920s, providing quality day care for children to help parents return back to work. They need donations such as food, cleaning supplies, pampers and wipes. If you would like to donate to them contact Tiffany Taylor, the Early Childhood Specialist, at t.taylor@orlandoday.org
Unforsaken Ministries
Unforsaken Ministries helps single, widowed and impoverished mothers and their families to help enrich their lives, locally and abroad. It’s run by our very own Tommy Mydlo and his wife Mo Mydlo! They are closed this week but still accepting donations at their resale shop Unforsaken Treasures, you can find more information on this here.
One Heart for Women and Children
One Heart for Women and Children help families transition from hardships in the Central Florida area. They utilize partnerships to empower and educate men, women and children, as well as provide basic necessities like personal hygiene products, food, clothes and household items. They need donations during these times, go to their website here to donate items or money!
Harbor House
Harbor House helps domestic abuse survivors and their children in Central Florida with emergency shelter, resources and a crisis hotline. They are in need of donations, listed on their donation page here.
Rise Against Hunger Orlando
Rise Against Hunger is an organization fighting world hunger locally and abroad since 1998. They are in need of donations to help families through this hard crisis. You can donate here.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels helps give meals, in-home care, medical equipment and guardianship to homebound seniors that they wouldn’t get otherwise. This is especially crucial during this time as seniors are an at-risk group to COVID-19. You can volunteer to help deliver meals, donate money or food here.
Coalition for the Homeless in Central Florida
Coalition for the Homeless in Central Florida provides emergency services and housing in Central Florida, helping families return to stable homes as soon as possible. They are experiencing increasing demands in response to the virus and need donations, specifically these: hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, thermometers, hand soap and disinfectant spray. Please contact coalition@cflhomeless.org with any donation related questions or visit their website here for more information on how you can help.
Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando
Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is a pet shelter that focuses on the well-being of dogs and cats in the Central Florida area. Tuesdays and Thursdays, they have pet food pantry that is open to the public, however their pantry is running low. They need pet food and distilled water, but also are accepting in blankets, towels, pet toys, etc. that can be used to help the animals. They have a donation drop-off in front of Millenia Mall. You can find more information about donating here. They also need more foster homes for pets, you can sign up online here.
Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida
Boys and Girls Club helps low-income children and families by providing after school and summer care for children that includes educational programs and events for them at little to no cost. They are in need of donations to help these families through the crisis. You can donate here.
CERF+ The Artists Safety Net
CERF+ helps provide artists around the country who have COVID-19 with support through these hard times. You can donate on their website here.
Puppy Pleasers Rescue
Puppy Pleasers Rescue is a no-kill rescue shelter for dogs in Ocoee, FL. They are in need of donations! You can see what they need and how to contact them here.
American Red Cross
With blood drives being cancelled in response to the pandemic, American cross is experiencing a blood shortage that is needed more than ever. You can schedule an appointment with them to donate blood if you’re healthy. Find out more information here.
NAMI of Greater Orlando
The National Alliance on Mental Illness helps individuals and families affected by mental illnesses through support, advocacy and education. This is especially important as times of crisis can be difficult for those with mental illness. You can donate to their cause here.
Direct Relief
Direct Relief works in the United States and abroad to provide medical supplies and support to communities in need. They are delivering protective masks, exam gloves and isolation gowns to areas with COVID-19 cases. You can donate here.
Heart of Florida United Way
Heart of Florida United Way helps to fight for education, health and financial stability for everyone in our community and is offering direct help to those affected by COVID-19. You can donate to their cause here and find out more about their organization here.
Orlando Union Rescue Mission
Orlando Union Rescue Mission has been helping fight homelessness in Central Florida since 1984. They are experiencing increasing demands because of the pandemic and need more donations and volunteers to help with their increasing numbers. You can donate here!
Going Forward?
These are just a few of the great, non-profit organizations in the Central Florida area. We contacted many of these organizations directly to see what they needed during these times. If you know of any around you or know of anyone in need of help, reach out and give what you’re able to. We rely on each other in times like these more than ever, and donating resources or time can help save lives. It’s also helpful to support local, small businesses! Stay safe everyone!