COVID Relief: Please Send Supplies!
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Dear Friends,
We’re seeing amazing stories of empathy–on the news and from our staff across our regions. We believe we are each wired to connect and contribute, especially during this unprecedented time of isolation. From sidewalk chalk thank you notes to first responders, to our staff members helping vulnerable clients with therapy gardens, we’re all motivated to help during difficult times. One of the ways we’re helping address serious needs is by sending critical supplies to our staff who are serving on the front lines. We’ve created our COVID-relief wish lists so you can drop-ship supplies directly to our Atlanta and Tennessee regions. Households in those areas need basic items such as cleaning supplies, diapers, and school items so they can continue to thrive at home.
TENNESSEE Inspiritus Nashville continues to ramp up their Food Pantry efforts to serve the city’s most vulnerable citizens throughout this crisis. We are delivering supplies to these clients who cannot come to us. We need you to help us with much needed items for our vulnerable neighbors! In Middle Tennessee, many of our gardeners are growing spring greens as we continue to plan for Plant Days to support our 184 gardens. We thank Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, Thomas Rowe and MHA for allowing this program to thrive! Please check out our Amazon wish list to see the supplies you can provide. (Please select Inspiritus c/o Janet Arning from the drop down address list for shipments).
GEORGIA Many of our clients need cleaning supplies such as bleach cleaners and heavy duty sponges. They are also in need of laptops for the many students who are now at home doing digital learning. These items are listed on our Amazon wish list. With a few clicks on Amazon, you can help us give these vulnerable clients the opportunity to increase their food security, as well as, increase their overall well-being. (Please select Inspiritus c/o Eli Flournoy from the drop down address list for shipments).
Also in Georgia, our director of Disabilities program, Christina Blair, is partnering with her community in Northwest Georgia to bring all the emotional and mental benefits of gardening to some of our host homes and clients in Disability Services in NW GA. Through Healthy Gardens, families and individuals have easy and free access to fruits and vegetables to supplement their meals as well as a healthy outlet for relieving stress and staying active. If you would like to send Christina and our Disability clients in NW Ga the supplies to get started on their own garden, we’ve listed the needed items on this Amazon wish list. (Please select Inspiritus c/o Christina Blair from the drop down address list for shipments).
As you plan your shopping needs, here's something to be mindful of over the next few days:
Please avoid grocery shopping on April 1-3 unless you have a critical need. Many WIC/SNAP benefits come to low-income families at the first of the month and there will be a surge as these families redeem them. Many of these families’ benefits were depleted more quickly because children are staying home from school and some families are going hungry right now. Also, please respect their needs by not buying items with a WIC shelf tag unless you absolutely need them. They cannot simply substitute these items with others; they would go without. This will also help to keep some of our city’s most vulnerable safer by not adding to the crowds in the stores unnecessarily.
These critical supplies will help local families in crisis. And financial donations are always greatly appreciated! To meet the needs we’ve assessed across our clients, we need to raise at least $500,000 in emergency financial assistance. Please donate below and help us during this crucial time.
We couldn’t do what we do without your support and kindness. Thank you.
With Gratitude,
-Virginia Spencer
Vice President of Development
Inspiritus
