How You Can Give or Get Help

The American Red Cross: Sign up to donate blood. The Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage due to the large number of blood drive cancellations.

Institute on Aging: Sign up as a volunteer at the Friendship Line, then their team will reach out as a need arises. Trained volunteers make and receive calls to and from individuals who are either in crisis or just in need of a compassionate voice and listening ear.

Meals on Wheels: Needs volunteers to help assemble and deliver meals to homebound seniors and adults with disabilities. Must be between the ages of 18-64. Learn more and register here.

Roosevelt Middle School Food Pantry Pop-Up: Volunteer every Tuesday from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and help provide food to those in need. Location: blacktop on Palm Avenue. Learn more and register for a shift here.

• Pop-up Pantries: Help with food distribution at neighborhood pop-up pantries. 
  Please register in advance, as the Food Bank is unable to accommodate drop-in volunteers.
• Home Delivered Groceries: Help deliver weekly groceries to those in need. Advance registration required.

If You Need Help

Many community organizations remain open to provide assistance during this time:

Jewish Family and Children’s Services staff are first responders during this pandemic emergency. If you or someone you care about needs help, please call the JFCS Bay Area Critical Help Line at 415.449.3700.

• Families and adults – For assistance, please call 415.449.1212
  • Emergency counseling assistance is offered to help cope with this emergency.
  • JFCS Food Banks are well stocked and open. Groceries and supplies will be delivered as needed in all regions.
  • Counseling, consultation, and advice services are available by phone, video conference, or in-person. 
• Parents – For assistance, please call 415.359.2443
  • Clinical counseling continues to be offered by phone, video conference, or in-person, to answer questions and help children and parents cope with this crisis.
  • Online workshops are available to help parents understand how to best help their children with the added anxiety that they are experiencing.

Hebrew Free Loan offers interest-free, emergency bridge loans to help Jewish individuals and families in Northern California cover their living expenses during difficult and uncertain times. If you’re having trouble making ends meet because of the effects of Coronavirus, including childcare costs when schools are closed, small business losses, cancelled study abroad programs, and lost wages because you can’t go into work, they may be able to help.

Bay Area Jewish Healing Center provides spiritual care in these times of pandemic.

Shalom Bayit​​​​​ offers counseling and direct support to battered women and their children in the Jewish community.

Crisis Text Line is for older teens or young adults.