Coronavirus In Illinois: How You Can Help

Amie Schaenzer
Updated ·13 min read

CHICAGO, IL — If there is one silver lining amid a statewide shutdown, it is the creative ideas Illinois residents are coming up with to get out, socialize safely in an age of social distancing and help give back to their communities and neighbors. In recent weeks, Patch.com editors from across the Chicago area have been sharing the many examples of volunteerism and generosity of people throughout our communities.

And we've heard from so many readers wondering how they can help out as well. What can they do to help those less fortunate or the front-line workers and first responders tasked with keeping us all safe while risking their own health?

With that in mind, we've included some information below on ways to give back. And we encourage residents to visit your local Patch home page and share your suggestions, post a call-out for help or include information about local volunteer opportunities on Patch. We will share as many of these as we can with your neighbors to help spread the word.

Donate Blood

There is a massive blood shortage right now. Blood drives have been shut down, but many blood banks are open and stepping up efforts to keep their facilities safe and sanitized to ensure everyone's health and safety.

If you're healthy, consider it. You can visit the Red Cross website to find the hours and locations of area blood banks.

Volunteers Needed

State officials set up the Disaster Volunteerism website, Serve Illinois, in weeks to provide a resource for organizations across the state to share their current volunteer and donation needs.

Among organizations needing in-person help are:

Aging Network

Due to the suspension of group services and increased one-on-one in-home services that are being provided by the Aging Network, the organizations is in need of more volunteers. Specifically, the Area Agencies on Aging need assistance with our older adults, which does not involve face-to-face contact and includes the delivery of meals and helping with telephone reassurance programs.

Both programs provide relief and assistance to our older adults who are practicing social distancing, but who are also at risk of being socially isolated. No experience is necessary for volunteers.

Here is a look at area needs:

  • Kendall County: Meal delivery and telephone reassurance volunteers needed. Email Alaine Kvedaras or call 630-293-5990 x 105.

  • Lake: Telephone reassurance and grocery shopper volunteers needed. Email Alaine Kvedaras or call 630-293-5990 x 105.

  • McHenry: Drivers for medical appointments needed. Email Alaine Kvedaras or call 630-293-5990 x 105.

  • Will: Package delivery volunteers needed. Email Alaine Kvedaras or call 630-293-5990 x 105.

  • DuPage: Telephone reassurance and grocery shopper volunteers needed. Email Alaine Kvedaras or call 630-293-5990 x 105.

  • If your county is not listed, e-mail aging.ilsenior@illinois.gov or call the Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 to see what you can do to help.

Volunteers With 3D Printers Sought To Print Face Shields

Chicago COVID19 3D printing group is looking for volunteers with 3D printers who are willing to help create 3D print face shields in cooperation with Swedish Covenant Hospital. Volunteers are also sought to assemble face shields for the University of Chicago system. More information is available here.

Volunteers Sought In DuPage County

Giving DuPage is looking for extra help as many of their regular volunteers are unable to assist or are choosing to stay home and some need help with donation of items. In particular, organizations with a mission focused on housing/homelessness, food security/hunger/meal delivery and seniors are experiencing a large decrease in their regular volunteer base.

Here is a list of organizations in need of support in DuPage County.

Illinois Food Banks Seek Volunteers, Donations

The Feeding Illinois Network is need of volunteers and monetary donations. Contact your local food bank for more information:

  • Greater Chicago Food Depository - Chicago: The Greater Chicago Food Depository regularly needs volunteers to help repack donated food and other products. Much of the food the organization receives at its warehouse comes in bulk quantities, and volunteers are scheduled to help break it down into more manageable sizes. Repacking of the food helps to make sure resources are efficiently distributed to participating food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in Cook County. You can e-mail volunteerservices@gcfd.org for more information about volunteering.

  • Northern Illinois Food Bank - Geneva, Joliet, Park City, and Rockford: If you are healthy and willing to assist, you may consider volunteering at one of these local food banks so they can maintain their operations and continue to help provide food those in need. A shift schedule is available here: http://www.solvehungertoday.org/volunteer and those interested in volunteering are urged to call to sign up at (630)443-6910. In addition, pantries in communities throughout the area are in need of help. You can find more volunteer opportunities here.

HandsOn Suburban Chicago

Nonprofit organizations are facing additional challenges in light of the current coronavirus crisis and HandsOn Suburban Chicago provides a list of volunteer needs for agencies throughout the area here.


Volunteers Sought To Get PPEs To Front-Line Workers
A local temporary volunteer organization on Chicago's North Shore is working to create PPE with a small (and growing) army of 3D printers and friends with sewing machines. The group is also working to redistribute any existing PPE that we may collect, using local networks across our communities. More information is available here.


Meal Delivery To Homeless

Housing Forward - Oak Park needs help getting breakfast, lunch and dinner delivered to homeless clients on Monday through Sunday. Visit the organization's website for more information.

Imamia Medics International - Chicago Chapter

Is looking for volunteers to deliver food to the elderly and needy. Email Email Zehra Jafferi for more information.

Islamic Foundation of Villa Park - DuPage County

The Islamic Foundation of Villa Park has developed a service for free delivery of groceries and medicine to the elderly and those unable to leave home. The group is working to help limit the exposure of high-risk individuals by delivering groceries and medicine to their homes so there is not a need for them to leave. Those interested in assisting should call 630-530-6302.

Lincoln Park Community Services - Chicago

Lincoln Park Community Services - Chicago needs volunteer groups to provide meals for 30 to 35 people that stay at its shelter!.There are several ways that this can be done.

  • Prepare a meal at home and drop it off at our facility

  • Order a meal from a local restaurant to be delivered to our facility

  • Assemble sack lunches with items like a sandwich/wrap, sides (a piece of fruit, a bag of chips, etc.) and a beverage (preferably bottled water) to drop off at our facility

  • Order a meal from a local restaurant to be delivered to our facility

Learn more at lpcschicago.org/get-involved/

Adult Tutors Sought For Literacy Works

Literacy Works - Chicago is looking for volunteers to become tutors in its adult literacy programs. Literacy Works partners with over 30 adult literacy organizations throughout Chicago and the western suburbs.

The group provides all the training necessary to prepare you to work with your learner once it's safe to do so. No teaching or tutoring experience is necessary. Those interested in learning more can visit the Literacy Works website.

The DuPage Senior Citizens Council

The DuPage Senior Citizens Council is looking for volunteers to help deliver meals to seniors in the county. To volunteer, call Cathy Jordan, volunteer services director, at 630-746-0909.

Lawyers Sought To Answer Civil Legal Questions

The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) is seeking volunteer lawyers to answer civil legal questions from low-income Illinoisans through a secure website. Volunteer lawyers log onto the site at their convenience and answer questions waiting in the queue.

It is a virtual walk-in legal clinic. Like typical legal aid, PILI sees a lot of family law, consumer and housing questions on the site, but with the pandemic, the groups expects to see more questions about employment, benefits and other areas of increased concern.

Lawyers are able to choose the questions they answer, both in terms of the legal issue and the location of the person answering the question. Those interested in learning more can visit the PILI website.

Provide Safe Home For Children

Safe Families for Children - Chicago area is looking to train families to be a host or family friend, which provide respite or transportation. Volunteers will serve families in crisis by providing housing for children while the parents get the services they need (medical, housing, job). Host families keep the children from neglect or abuse. More information is available on the Safe Families For Children website.

Free Telehealth Counseling: Spanish-Speaking Volunteers Sought

The Coronavirus and the financial sector have left many people's lives in stress and turmoil. Sanctuary Counseling LLC (telehealth) is offering free telehealth counseling sessions and is seeking Spanish speaking volunteers with experience. The organization's website has more information.

Senior Home Sharing

The organization, which serves senior citizens, needs help with grocery store trips, pharmacy pickups and meal donations. To volunteer, contact Courtney Simek, executive director, at csimek@seniorhomesharing.org or call 630-201-7080.

Volunteers Needed For Senior Services In Kane, Kendall Counties

Senior Services Associates - Southern Kane and Kendall Counties: The volunteer programs at Senior Services Associates, provides opportunities for people to make a difference in the Southern Kane and Kendall county communities through volunteer service. Feel the satisfaction that comes from doing something good and support someone in need. Your efforts will make a difference to someone right here in Kendall and Southern Kane Counties.

The Volunteer Center - NE Metro Chicago: The Volunteer Center (VC) helps residents and service groups of all ages and abilities in the New Trier Township, the North Shore and greater NE Metro Chicago area find volunteer opportunities or participate in Days of Service with 501C3 nonprofit partner organizations. Learn more at www.volunteercenterhelps.org.

Volunteer Center McHenry County: Every day www.volunteercentermchenrycounty.org has 150 to 250 volunteer and donation needs posted by local agencies. Visit today!

Pick Up Trash At A Park

Libertyville Mayor Terry Weppler shared a post on Facebook regarding resident Cassie Clerk, who decided to get outside and pick up trash at a park. Weppler encourages residents to wear rubber gloves, bring a trash bag and keep a safe distance between yourself and others.

"With the end of winter, there is a lot of trash along the parkways and in our parks, and now is the time that is easiest to pick it up before everything starts to grow," Weppler wrote on his Facebook page.

Return Your Carts After Shopping At The Grocery Store

Your store clerks and grocery store clerks are deemed essential under Pritzker's order. And they are out, away from their families and around all the germs making sure these stores stay open so we can continue to get the food and supplies we need.

So instead of leaving a grocery cart in the middle of a parking lot, shoppers should return it to the store — or, at the very least, to a cart receptacle.

Order Takeout From A Local Restaurant

For those who have the financial means, now is the time to shop local. Sure, several local restaurants are closed for dine-in service, but many are offering curbside pick-up and/or delivery. In addition, many breweries and wineries are offering curbside pickup of growlers, six-packs and bottles of wine.

We've heard from some families who have made a point of scheduling one night a week where they order takeout. Make it a family decision, picking a local restaurant that you want to try, and then picking out the menu items together.

Check your local Patch.com site for a "local guide" of businesses open for business. Our editors have been working to compile these guides. And if you are a business that is open or closed, be sure to submit your information to Patch in that guide.

Church Looks For Those Who Can Sew To Make Face Masks

A church in Oak Lawn launched a community initiative to help with the shortage of disposable face masks during the coronavirus crisis, and we've seen similar initiatives cropping up across the Chicago area. The fabric face masks for health care workers, seniors and other persons with compromised immunity can be distributed as needed to local health care providers, home care workers, and nursing homes as needed.

This could be a great idea for others who have sewing skills or groups/churches looking for ways to help out. More via Oak Lawn Patch

If Your Business, Organization Has Extra Masks

With medical supplies in high demand, Pritzker is stressing the importance of getting N95 masks and gloves to medical personnel, and he lauded the businesses and organizations, including the Chicago fire and police departments, that have donated masks.

Those who have masks to donate can get in touch with the state by sending an email to PPE.donations@il.gov.

Church Volunteers Start Phone Chats With Senior

For some older residents, church services can be a great way to get out and socialize each week. With such services not being offered, dozens of young parishioners at a North Shore Catholic parish have volunteered to support vulnerable members of their community during the outbreak of the new coronavirus, Jonah Meadows, editor for Wilmette-Kennilworth Patch, reported this past week.

This past week, children and young adults in Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish began making hundreds of phone calls to seniors in the community to offer help, share a prayer or just chat. We thought it was another great example that other organizations in area communities could jump-start. More via Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch

Check In With Your Neighbors

As more and more people experience isolation, we should check in with our neighbors, especially those who may not have support networks or adequate resources.

"It’s easy to feel overwhelmed right now, but building connections and empathy can go a long way in reducing stress," according to the Serve Illinois website. "Calling and texting is a good example of responsible social distancing."

Serve Illinois encourages residents to follow the "CAP” guidelines when lending a hand:

  • C: Check on your neighbors (through call or text).

  • A: Assess needs and assist when possible.

  • P: Protect self and neighbors by adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Some people have offered to pick up groceries for the vulnerable people in our population who are most at risk of contracting COVID-19, including elderly residents.

Connect With Your Children

In times of crisis, it’s common for youths to be curious and seek more attachment from parents, guardians and caregivers, according to the Serve Illinois website. Answer their questions about COVID-19 with honest and age-appropriate information to ease their anxiety.

We've got some tips on how to broach that conversation in our Patch article: How To Talk To Your Kids About Coronavirus.

More via the state's Serve Illinois website

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This article originally appeared on the St. Charles Patch