Giving Tuesday usually takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, encouraging donations to nonprofits as a remedy to Black Friday. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s now an additional global day of unity and giving: Tuesday, May 5. (Check out the buzz using the hashtag #GivingTuesdayNow!)

Most Americans are receiving their stimulus checks in the coming weeks, if they haven’t already. For those who have found themselves unemployed because of the COVID-19 crisis — and for millions more who were already struggling to make ends meet — this check will provide critical, if not minimal, short-term support. 

For others who are fortunate to have the means to remain comfortable and secure during the pandemic, there is an opportunity to share their check to support those in need. Are you considering joining the ranks of Americans who have pledged to #sharemycheck?

If you are, we welcome your support to keep VNRC working on Vermont’s environmental priorities during these challenging times. But we also want to draw your attention to some of the organizations on the frontlines of the crisis who are connecting Vermonters with critical goods and services on a day to day basis. Let us know if there’s an organization you think we should add to this list.

If you have skills to offer, the State of Vermont is looking for volunteers to help in communities across the state. Sign up here to volunteer as a service worker, a medical professional, or other. If your services are needed, you will be contacted.

Thank you for all you do, and thank you for your generosity.

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• Capstone Community Action: Together with state and local partners, bolstered by the commitment of nearly 1,000 volunteers, Capstone founded the Washington and Northern Orange Counties Regional Response Command Center (WNOC-RRCC) in March. The organization is delivering countless meals, relocating homeless individuals and families to ensure their safety, and operating call centers to connect residents to answers and services. Give here to support Capstone’s vital emergency efforts.
  
  VNRC is proud to support WNOC-RRCC through the deployment of a VNRC staff member, Ian Hitchock, to one of its essential call centers. Listen to Ian discuss his work in our latest Climate Dispatch.
  
  
• Vermont Foodbank’s COVID-19 Hunger Relief Fund: The Vermont Foodbank has seen significant increases in the number of people coming to access food through its VeggieVanGo produce distribution. The Foodbank is also distributing more food to its partner pantries across the state. Give here.
  
  (According to a recent UVM survey, Food insecurity has increased by one-third during the pandemic, largely due to skyrocketing unemployment.)
  
  
• Help out essential workers and Vermont restaurants at the same time. Donations to Frontline Foods Vermont go directly to local restaurants feeding healthcare workers in Vermont.
  
  
• NOFA-VT’s Farmer Emergency Fund will pay for relief workers to milk cows on dairy farms, should farmers get sick and need to take time off. The average age of dairy farmers is almost 60 in Vermont, putting these crucial food providers at increased risk of the coronavirus. Give here.
  
  
• Undocumented Worker Fund: Migrant Justice, the Vermont organization that advocates for migrant farmworkers, is partnering with national immigrant rights organization Movimiento Cosecha’s “Undocumented Worker Fund” to raise and distribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to immigrants excluded from federal relief. Money is already going out to immigrant families affected by the current crisis. Give here.