10 Ways to Help in the New Year

BY AMANDA HAGGARD

We’re now just days out of 2020. And even if it feels like we’ve closed the chapter on one of the worst years in recent history, the effects of the pain and suffering that somehow packed itself into such a short period of time will be felt for a long time.

In 2020, we lost people and normalcy to the pandemic. Racism and police brutality and white supremacy began to come to a head. We began the year with a tornado ripping through the city and a suicide bombing on Christmas Day in Nashville stole whatever peace of mind was left. It’s been a hard year for many, which makes it a good time to chip in and help your neighbors.

From kits for your car to help folks living on the streets to buying locally to doing your part to help the spread of COVID-19, here are a few ideas for ways to help out in what we hope is a better year for everyone.

HELP WITH RECOVERY FROM THE CHRISTMAS DAY BOMBING

There are a couple practical and easy ways to help out the folks affected by the Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville. The Community Foundation has set up a fund where you can donate atcfmt.org. Or get yourself another #NashvilleStrong T-shirt from Project 615. All proceeds go back to affected businesses.

MAKE WINTER OR SUMMER KITS TO HAND OUT AT STOP LIGHTS

Do you ever pull up to someone panhandling at a stop light and wish you knew what to do to be helpful? One quick thing that you can put together to keep in your car is a small bag of essentials. They don’t take up a lot of space, and they aren’t expensive to put together. Consider the following items put in a gallon plastic bag: protein bars, gift cards to fast food restaurants, hand warmers in the winter, bottles of water, trail mix or other high protein snacks, hand sanitizer, a face mask and a slip of paper with local resources listed on it.

HELP LOCAL MUSICIANS BY BUYING THEIR MUSIC AND MERCH ONLINE

You probably missed out on a lot of live music this year, which means your favorite band lost out on their living. Band T-shirts make excellent at-home lounge wear, and a new vinyl record might just be the quarantine date music you were looking for. You know who you like, so take $20 or $30 of your stimulus money and support someone who couldn’t work this year.

DONATE TIME, MONEY OR RESOURCES TO HANDS ON NASHVILLE

Maybe you have some cash, but you have no time or extra emotional bandwidth to put into a project. The nonprofit, which helps connect volunteers to community needs, started the year helping in the aftermath of the tornado, which then bled into the pandemic. And now they’re coordinating another effort to help with recovery after the Christmas Day bombing. You can also check their site (hon.org) for a myriad of ways to help, but if you have money to give, that never hurts.

GIVE FOOD TO A COMMUNITY FRIDGE

Over the past year, a few community fridges have popped up around Nashville. Folks can donate food and others can, no criteria or judgement or questions, come get food if they need it. This kind of aide is important during a time when many are out of steady work. There’s one at 1411 Buchanan St on the north side of town and 1111 Dickerson Pike in East Nashville. To keep track of what they need (and read the do’s and don’ts of giving items) or check out how you can find food if you need it, check out @nashvillecommunityfridge on Instagram.

BUILD A CONTRIBUTOR HOME KIT WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS OR COLLEAGUES

The Contributor has committed to providing supportive permanent housing for at least 25people next year. The effort is part of a grant that several nonprofits in Nashville received to house 400 people. The grant, however, doesn’t include supplies for move in: dishes, pans, towels, cleaning supplies, sheets, garbage cans — all the things necessary to set up a new home. It’s super easy to set up a spreadsheet and let folks order on Amazon or have it shipped to one location. Email christinecdoeg22@gmail.com for more information.

CHECK ON YOUR ELDERLY NEIGHBORS

Do you know your neighbors? No shame if you don’t, but I recommend at least waving, and maybe some conversation, particularly if your neighbor seems like they could use to be checked on. As neighbors, our family tries not to be too nosey, but we also try to notice if a neighbor is gone for a long period of time, or if it doesn’t seem like they’re bringing packages in. Instead of worrying from afar, it’s nice to ask from across the street if there’s anything your neighbor needs that they cannot do for themselves.

BUY ALL YOUR GIFTS LOCALLY

It was the right thing to do to close certain businesses to curb the spread of COVID-19, but many small businesses are struggling to stay open. Many have adapted to include curbside pickup, in some cases home delivery and more. The allure of Amazon is great, and it’s just too easy to search in one place for a cool gift. But, let me assure you, the coolest gifts come from the people in our community whose businesses we want to be open in 10 years. Check out Arcade Nashville for kids toys, buy a friend of a gift card for the Virtual Cinema at belcourt.org or have something shipped straight to your sibling’s door from a place like Vintage for All on Instagram.

HELP SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID-19

There are the easy things you can do to help curb the spread of COVID-19: Wear a mask when you’re out of your home and keep 6 feet away from people who do not live in your home. As vaccine rollout has been slow and as Tennessee remains at the top of state’s with the highest outbreaks, these measures may become more important than ever. Consider getting the vaccine if it’s offered to you, and double check sources of information you read about the virus on social media. There are also several ways to help with relief or vaccination efforts at hon.org.

ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT

You know that whole thing about putting the oxygen mask on yourself before you help anyone else? It can be really hard to remember when you see so many people around you suffering, but it’s more than necessary in such a hellish era. You might not be suffering as much as you see someone else suffering, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask for help if you need it. You’re a human being, deserving of love, help and the chance to fight another day.