COVID-19 has greatly affected service organizations’ routines and typical volunteer opportunities within the community–but you can still help

As everyone’s day-to-day life has been altered due to COVID-19, a newfound importance of looking after ourselves in unprecedented times has made it extremely easy to forget how much others may need our help. The pandemic has made it tough for individuals as well as non-profits and service organizations throughout the community of Spartanburg to adjust. However, finding a way to balance the dangers of COVID-19 with the necessity of serving the community has been a key priority of the latter.

Spartanburg Soup Kitchen has been a prime example of this as they have found a way to safely remain open everyday since the pandemic hit the U.S. However, their typical routine has been completely altered. First, as no one except volunteers and workers are allowed within the building, the meals have been changed to carryout. In order to put the meal together in a sanitary manner, a three-point layout has been created where the food, dessert and utensils, and beverage are all at three separate stations.

Lou Sartor of Spartanburg Soup Kitchen said that she believes they have “won the war” in terms of being a stable resource no matter the circumstances to those in the Spartanburg community and are continuing to “restore hope and restore faith in the community.”

Although the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen is not taking any new volunteers until they have installed plexiglass–which should be done by the end of next month–their response serves as an example of the resilience these organizations have maintained during the pandemic. It also extends to the necessity that these organizations have for volunteers during this time.

Despite typical volunteer opportunities having been altered greatly, there is still a way to offer your time and service to the community. Within this, many virtual and do-at-home volunteering opportunities have become available.

One of the virtual ways you can give your time is through the United Way of the Piedmont by being a “Virtual Reading Buddy.” In order to do this, the volunteer needs to submit a video of themselves reading a book aloud for it to then be shared with local school districts. This is incredibly beneficial to students as COVID-19 has greatly affected children’s learning and exposure to libraries.

Another COVID-19-friendly volunteer opportunity can be found through the Spartanburg Academic Movement, which is asking for volunteers to help make teacher care kits–but within the safety of their own home. This includes filling a small gift bag with snacks, candy and an encouraging note. After creating the kit, all that is left to do is drop it off anytime between 1 and 4 p.m. on Jan. 28 at the Financial Opportunity Center.

Magnolia Manor of Spartanburg offers volunteer opportunities through writing letters. Magnolia Manor provides specialized nursing services designed for the aid of each resident. Within the isolation that the pandemic has placed the community under, this would be a way to share positivity as well as create new relationships.

New volunteer opportunities have also been created because of COVID-19 as seen with American Red Cross’ need for volunteers. For increased safety, blood donor screeners are needed to take the temperatures of visitors before they enter any facility of American Red Cross.

While so much has changed in such a short period of time, it remains a necessity to celebrate and commit to the Spartanburg community. In a time that so much has been taken, it is important to know that there are still ways to give.

Written by Lauren Strange