The current pandemic has thrown so many lives into a tailspin. Thousands of people in this country have already lost relatives and loved ones, others are fighting for their lives, and some are just living in fear waiting for an unknown fate. Sadly, far too many people are not taking this pandemic seriously and are not practicing social distancing, not wearing masks, and going outdoors whenever they feel like it.
Stores and nonessential businesses are slowly opening, placing many businesses and workers in the precarious position of working in a dangerous environment and possibly getting sick, or staying home and not receiving an income. It is a terrible conundrum for many individuals and families—prioritize health and safety, or make an income.
Many families are in need of immediate economic assistance. The federal bailout has not trickled down to many families. Due to miscellaneous loopholes, and totally not surprising, many minority owned businesses are not eligible for emergency economic assistance thus leaving even more families of color suffering in a myriad number of ways. Sadly, some Americans married to immigrants and those behind on certain obligations are not eligible to receive economic hardship money from the government. These are frightening times for so many families.
Luckily, there are resources to help people weather this storm. For New Yorkers, there are free meals available across the five boroughs. Various food banks have also popped up around the country to address food insecurity during the pandemic.
Some of the food assistance resources in New York City include the following websites: www.hungerfreeamerica.org/, www.foodbanknyc.org, https://maps.nyc.gov/foodhelp, and www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/food/free-meals for children in the NYC school system.
Some national resources outside of New York City include: www.feedingamerica.org and www.foodpantries.org.
For those of you who do not need assistance, many of these organizations have donation links on their various pages. Many churches and religious institutions in your neighborhood are also accepting donations of food or cash.
Now is the time for all of us to work together and emerge from this senseless pandemic stronger and more resolved in our efforts to support our neighbors and build community.
May is also National Mental Health Awareness Month. Many community members are in need of tangible resources such as money or food. However, some of our friends and family are also in need of mental health resources. Stressful times can be triggers for people who are dealing with increased stress levels or individuals who may not have money for their medications. We must be sure to look out for ways we can support family and friends’ physical and mental well-being.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health resources, the National Alliance on Mental Illness has resources to help. You can find them at: www.nami.org/
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University, political editor at The Grio, the author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream,” and the co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.