HELENA — Many people are looking for ways to help their neighbors right now, but may be unsure how they can help due to social distancing.
The United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area (UWLCA) is holding a community drive at their office at 75 East Lyndale for COVID supplies and actively looking at where the need is most in the community.
Over the past week, the United Way has held multiple teleconferencing meetings to bring local nonprofits together with the goal of finding and addressing issues.
Right now some of the biggest needs are toilet paper, paper towels, baby formula, cleaning supplies and non perishable foods.
UWLCA will be collecting donations at their main office, making sure they’re clean and then distributing them to organizations in the most need.
“The YWCA, the Friendship Center, Florence Crittenton, youth homes, those places are on lock down basically right now,” said Emily McVey, UWLCA executive director. “They need help making sure that their kids, their moms and their families have food. So we’re doing anything we can to help them out.”
The United Way is also holding a fundraiser for a COVID Relief Fund that will be used to support organizations and people in need during this time.
“Once that fundraiser gets big enough, we’ll determine who needs it the most and get it to those agencies that can help the individuals in need,” said McVey.
Due to the ever evolving COVID situation, people are encouraged to regularly check UWLCA’s Facebook page for the latest updates on ways to help.
Current items needed for the COVID Supplies Drive are:
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Formula
Baby Wipes
Disinfecting Wipes
Lysol Spray
Hand Soap
Hand Sanitizer
General Cleaning Supplies
Diapers
Bleach
Flour
Rice
Pasta
Easy Mac
Fruit Cups or Pouches
Granola Bars
Juice Boxes
Shelf Stable Milk
Cereal
Kids Snacks
