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What We Can Do Here at Home

April 18, 2020 By kimwheeler 18 Comments

The last week flew by. Easter was just not like Easter, but my tulips are still holding up from brunch.

I want to write about the usual things and I have to tell you all I feel torn. I get up and read what so many are dealing with in our country with their health and so many millions unemployed and I feel wrong not bringing it up here. I know we need some distraction, but it seems like there should be more we can do than just keep ourselves and our own families happy.

I don’t like feeling like I can’t make a difference when I see so many are struggling right now. The monotony of things was getting me down and I needed something to feel like I can help with what is happening in this world.

I know a lot of us feel the same, so maybe if we focus outside of ourselves it will help get through this time. I’ve been trying to think of some good we can do, by donating some time or money and sharing kindness amongst us.

My family got an opportunity to make lunch weekly for a local pantry, Loaves & Fishes, that helps those in need. We have a weekly gig to make 100 lunches. It’s been good for four of us, and takes only an hour or so if we all work together. Those days feel busy and purposeful and I like that.

Some even made uplifting notes on the bags. I love that. Maybe next week we will too.

My friend Cindy and her daughter have been making masks for a local shelter that helps kids in need. When they couldn’t find supplies, her daughter thought of using old dresses and their straps to make these. So smart and innovative of her!

I just read two local boys used their piggy bank money and got a restaurant to partner and match their sandwiches they bought for a local sheriff station. For people who want to help others I read you can call local hospitals, fire or police station or shelters and see if they are accepting donations and then arrange to donate food at a particular time, and possibly even coordinate with a restaurant. This is a helpful page of local emergency food places that feed and can use donations or help in the South Bay area and this is the United States directory of food banks and soup kitchens so you can find one wherever you live to help. Each lists where they can use help or money. Those places are a real lifeline for even more people now.

I also like the charity Save The Children, which has been out there from the beginning helping with this pandemic. You can read more about them and donate on this page. One billion children are now out of school, which is a safe space for many of them. They are trying to help here at home and abroad.

The people in our nearest circles are those we can help most easily. If you have a housekeeper, a gardener or music teacher or someone in your life that does a service and lives paycheck to paycheck, I think it’s important at this time to pay them if you can. Many are not recognized by the government now as unemployed and some are not even able to access any aid at all. Give what you can and ask what they need.

Other ways we can all make a difference is in our own families, friends and neighborhoods. I sent a stack of cards off last week before Easter and plan to do more next week. A card, a text, or a call is all someone needs to know you are thinking of them. A lot of people live alone and may be feeling extra lonely right now. Some may be too proud to ask for help, even in your own family. You may have to bug them and ask what they need. Older people can be proud. I have already reached out to the one elderly neighbor who lives alone and she has assured me she needs no shopping and her boys are taking care of her. I am thinking of dropping her some magazines and flowers on the porch. She recently lost her husband and I cannot imagine how hard it is to be alone now.

Max and I have been talking about doing something for our neighborhood. We have received masks, chocolates and uplifting notes from our neighbors like this…

We want to find a way to bring some joy and let them know we are here in this together. Home made baked goods and food aren’t so welcome now so we’ve been brainstorming ideas. One way would be to help the local businesses at the same time and buy each a gift card for a restaurant take-away meal. Another idea is to buy each family a puzzle from our small nearby toy store to work on, or a bird feeder from bird watcher store around the corner and seed. Do you have suggestions for us?

A local place to find help or give help is Nextdoor, where people are offering to grocery shop for elderly or immune compromised people in their neighborhood. As some aren’t on the internet, others are leaving notes on their doorsteps with names and phones and the times they shop. I think this is so kind!

More ideas-

  • Contact your hairdresser, barber or nail technician and offer to pay for a service to two ahead of time. You can send them a check or PayPal and they will appreciate having some money now.
  • How are your teachers faring in this? Things are so different in each area. Many are working overtime to not only craft these online plans, but also help kids with online tutoring. Making a care package for your teacher with snacks, a book or some flowers or a plant are one way to say thank you. Also arranging to have a meal delivered to them or their family is very thoughtful.
  • Leave a box on your doorstep with granola bars, cans of drinks and little packages of crackers for the UPS, FEDEX, mail and other delivery people. A kind note is a nice way to thank you for all the ton of packages they are delivering now to everyone while putting themselves at risk. If you know them personally like your mailman or package delivery guy a gift card to Starbucks or Safeway is thoughtful right now.
  • The trash and recycling people are working overtime now. The recycling guy is now 4 days behind here as people are ordering and recycling so much. A note of thanks and a treat is one way to say we appreciate you being out there doing this for us all.
  • Think about leaving a note of cheer in your neighborhood or walk with a sign, like this one I saw yesterday. Bowls of apples and dog treats are left by one sweet person’s home I walk by on the weekend and I have seen so many people begin to offer books in their front yard, even without a little library kiosk. I guess others are cleaning out and I saw a pretty china set put out as well. (Books and apples can be wiped down with alcohol- apples washed with hot soapy water, and books left out for a few days if you are concerned.)
  • Leave a Teddy Bear or cute stuffed animal or drawing with a happy note in your window for local children to find on walks.

Notes in my neighborhood!

If you’re on Facebook, someone created a wonderful page called View From My Window as a way to connect us all together while we are sheltering all over the planet. People post their views and sometimes a little note about their life. The words of encouragement and kindness on here really warm the heart. I also love seeing the beautiful places around the world, while stuck at home like this below…

I also love Matt Haig and this from him..

Thinking of you friends and wishing you safe and well. Please leave me a note below for other ideas or ways to be helpful during this time.

Hugs,

Kim

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: #covid, #donatingtime, #foodpantry, #helping, #kindness, #soupkitchens

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sabdra Sallin - Apart From My art says

    April 18, 2020 at 3:55 pm

    What a lovely and inspiring post. Thank you. So many good ideas. Keep it up!

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      April 18, 2020 at 8:39 pm

      Sandra thanks so much. You also are so inspiring. Hugs and please take care.xo

      Reply
  2. LA CONTESSA says

    April 18, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    KIM the time thingy is off on your POSTS has been for a very LONG TIME see SANDRA’s post above!Time says 3:33pm its 11:21 AM NOW!!!

    BRILLIANT POST!
    I enjoyed reading it VERY MUCH!
    WHAT NICE NEIGHBORS YOU HAVE!
    I adore the photo of the GOOD LOOKING HUSBAND AND HIS OFF SPRING making sandwiches!!!!!!!!!
    YOU ARE TRULY GOOD PEOPLE!
    THANK YOU!
    XOXO

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      April 18, 2020 at 8:38 pm

      Elizabeth thanks I’ll look at my time thing. I am fortunate to have caring people in my hood!! I want to help them too. During these times good neighbors are SO appreciated. When we all are at home, it’s good to know your next door neighbor is kind and here for you and visa versa! xo

      Reply
  3. cindy says

    April 18, 2020 at 7:14 pm

    What a thoughtful inspiring post. I am going to share on my post tomorrow. We have two neighbors that are in need. We try to do a meal for them once a week. Tomorrow Steve is smoking ribs for them. Kim you are such a wonderful person and such an inspiration to us all. Just adore you!

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      April 18, 2020 at 8:36 pm

      I think we all are just trying to figure out how to help the world now. That is a super idea doing a meal for them weekly ! I love that so much. Great idea. I adore YOU Cindy. xo

      Reply
  4. Lorna says

    April 18, 2020 at 8:48 pm

    It’s inspiring to read about ways people are reaching out to complete strangers. Perhaps this is may everyone kinder which will be a good thing for our beautiful planet. Thanks for the thoughtful post.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      April 22, 2020 at 2:46 am

      Loree, The stories are inspiring to me too. We have to look for the good right now don’t we? It’s keeping us going. xo

      Reply
  5. Linda Fant says

    April 18, 2020 at 11:24 pm

    Wow Kim! Thank you for all your caring and helpful ideas and for sharing about your own family’s experience in making a difference during this difficult time. I really appreciate your heartfelt thoughts ❤️
    Linda

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      April 22, 2020 at 2:44 am

      Linda thank you so much. Take care!

      Reply
  6. Jane says

    April 19, 2020 at 12:39 am

    Kim, thanks first of all for your wonderful blog- it always makes me smile and provides countless inspiration, ideas and positive vibes. This post was exceptionally inspirational- I love that you provided all of these great ideas at just the perfect time. We are doing some little things too (helping neighbors with food, donating to food banks, etc). However, now is the time to commit further. I especially loved your family project with Fishes & Loaves, and I reached out to them already! Thanks, Kim for always sharing your incredible gifts with all of us. You are sunshine and joy. 🙂

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      April 22, 2020 at 2:44 am

      Jane I hope you are doing well. You have been on my mind! Thank you so much for your note. Nice of you to call Loaves & Fishes. They are a good organization! Jane you are so kind. Thank you and sending hugs.

      Reply
  7. Jen says

    April 19, 2020 at 2:24 pm

    I always enjoy your posts. I love Matt Haig too. His books are so wonderful. I love your suggestions. I’ve been sending off donations to the food banks, women’s shelters and pet shelters, and making sure elderly neighbours are being well fed. It feels helpless to not do more, but right now it does feel like doing what we can and staying home is the best course. I really do think that people are rethinking their lives. I hope a better world emerges on the other side of this. Stay safe. Xx

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      April 22, 2020 at 2:40 am

      Hi Jen, that is great you are sending donations to help. Everyone needs the help now, and caring for the elderly neighbors is important. I agree I do think people are rethinking life and how they spend it don’t you? We have to believe it’s going to be better after all this. I feel like society was in need of an adjustment- so much polarization, and selfishness. I hope we can come together. Take care. xo

      Reply
  8. Sheila in SF says

    April 20, 2020 at 6:51 am

    A very thoughtful post with good ideas. I have made online purchases from small businessses and made donations to organizations. I feel fortunate to have a roof over my head and my heart goes out to those whose income is lost. We can only hope that we all learn to be a kinder, and empathetic community as a result of this crisis.

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      April 22, 2020 at 2:33 am

      Sheila, I know I feel the same right now, very fortunate to have a home and have work for our family. I feel like it is the right thing to do to give back if we can. I agree I do think or hope we can become more compassionate and kind because of this right? Hoping you are well. Hugs.

      Reply
  9. Juliet says

    April 21, 2020 at 1:30 am

    Lovely post, Kim. What a caring person you are at home, in your neighborhood and community. We made the decision to order take-out food from our favorite local restaurants at least a couple times a week – as well as seeking out other local businesses trying to stay afloat and keep their people employed. My initial inclination was to stop spending altogether during such uncertain times, but as we are blessed with employment I think it’s important to do these small things in support of our friends and neighbors working so hard to stay in business. Today I learned about a local cater making quarantine cakes so I ordered several to be delivered to friends. I hope it will cheer them up, and perhaps encourage them to order a few for their friends. Thanks for talking about this and the wonderful things you and your family are doing … it’s so important to think outside ourselves and immediate families and help where we can. xo

    Reply
    • kimwheeler says

      April 22, 2020 at 2:30 am

      Juliet, you sound like you are doing a lot of things for your community too. I love the quarantine cakes- saw them on your stories. So cute. What a nice way to let someone know you are thinking about them now! I think it’s great to help the community and especially those places you always frequent so they can stay afloat during this. It really takes all of us right now! xo

      Reply

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