From the beginning of this crisis, Town&Style has strived to be a source of good news, helpful information and positivity. We represent a community of individuals who look for ways to give back to those around them. With that in mind, we are continuously updating this post with how you can help our local nonprofits. The government’s reimbursement package for businesses does not apply to nonprofit organizations. Together we are stronger. 

Mari de Villa is hosting a food drive for Circle of Concern Food Pantry. Drop off nonperishable food items May 6 through 10 at the retirement community, 13900 Clayton Road in Town and Country.

Operation Food Search (OFS), a nonprofit hunger relief organization, recently began its emergency meal distribution partnership with Saint Louis Public Schools. OFS is providing 1,000 meal packs each week that contain shelf-stable items. OFS delivers them to Langston Middle School at 5511 Wabada St. and Nahed Chapman New American Academy located at 1530 Grand Ave. For other ways it is helping and to find out how to get assistance, click here. 

Many social service nonprofits that rely heavily on donations are staying open to provide critical assistance, including Epworth Children and Family Services, which helps St. Louisans with health, housing, education and employment needs. The organization is asking for the public’s support in the weeks and months ahead. Click here or visit epworth.org to donate.

The Salvation Army Midland Division is open to provide pre-packed food, and locations have transitioned to outdoor drive-through/pick-up or door pick-up for food boxes. Several locations that offer hot meal programs have transitioned to grab and go meals in pre-packaged containers that can be picked up at the door. Area locations include:
1. Ferguson Community Empowerment Center: Emergency financial assistance is available by appointment only.

2. Family Haven CIP: Food Pantry Tuesdays, 9:00a – 1:00p.

3. Gateway Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Mondays and Tuesdays 10a – 1p, Wednesdays, 3 – 5p. 

4. Maplewood Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Wednesday, 9:30a – 12:30p.

5. O’Fallon Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 10a – 1:45p and the second Wednesday of the month 5:30p – 7:15p. 

6. Temple Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Mondays 10a – Noon and Thursdays 3 – 5p.   Additional Mobile Marts Wednesdays, 3 – 5p. Community meals served Wednesdays, 6 – 8 p.

7. St. Charles Corps Community Center: Food Pantry Tuesday – Thursday, 1 – 3:15p and Fridays, 1 – 2:45p.

Saint Louis Fashion Fund: Through STL Makers Unite for Medical Masks, the organization will produce 14,000 masks that are up to CDC standards for hospitals, small patient care facilities, grocery workers and other people on the frontlines of the pandemic. The initiative is led by designer-in-residence Michael Drummond with medical guidance from Dr. Kumiko Shimoda, an anesthesiologist at St. Luke’s Hospital, and it’s also helping employ sewers who have been out of work since the start of the crisis. To donate, visit gladitood.com.

St. Louis Regional Response Fund: Established by the St. Louis Community Foundation, the fund provides direct aid to nonprofits who support people most affected by COVID-19, such as children, the elderly and isolated. To donate, visit gladitood.com.

Nonprofit Recovery and Resilience Fund: YouthBridge Community Foundation created the fund to support local nonprofits with recovery assistance and long-term needs. Donations can be made at youthbridge.org or by contacting 314.720.4409.

With AmazonSmile, you can use the purchases you’re already making to support St. Louis nonprofits during this crisis. Just go to smile.amazon.com, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. There are thousands of local nonprofits to choose from like the Miriam Foundation, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and Stray Rescue of St. Louis.

Winter Opera St. Louis: Board members George and Melissa Paz of the Paz Family Foundation have generously gifted a Spring Donation Match. All contributions made to Winter Opera St. Louis up to $7,500.00 will be matched through April 30! While we navigate these uncertain times, please consider making a contribution. As we are faced with cancelling fundraising events, arts education activities, and limiting office time, our organization needs you now more than ever.

Forest ReLeaf of Missouri: To encourage people to plant trees, the organization is offering special Take-Out Tuesdays at its CommuniTree Gardens Nursery in Creve Coeur Park. People will be able to purchase a variety of native trees and shrubs online and pick them up curb-side at a scheduled time. The offer is running from March 31 until April 7, and all proceeds support Forest ReLeaf’s core programs. For more information, email info@moreleaf.org, call 314.533.5323 or visit moreleaf.org.

The Gateway Resilience Fund: This fund will provide short term monetary relief to employees and owners of independent bars, restaurants, and shops in the St. Louis area affected by closures and other circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak. Accepting donations and applications now at stlgives.org.

• Big Muddy Adventures: The company’s founder and leader, Michael F. Clark, has taken up residency at an undisclosed location on the Mississippi River, which he is calling Quarantine Island. Along with displaying a strong commitment to social distancing, his stay offers you the opportunity to give back. For each day Clark is on Quarantine Island, you can pledge $1, $5 or $10 to the Gateway Resilience Fund.

Humane Society of Missouri: Adoption shelters are closed until the 30-day stay-at-home mandate is lifted, but in an effort to reduce animals in the shelters, pre-approved adopters will now be able to adopt a pet via curbside pickup. Now more than ever, HSMO is relying on the generosity of supporters to maintain operations. To make a donation to help support essential staff, their families, and the abused, neglected and abandoned animals the organization serves, visit hsmo.org/donate to make a gift.

Jewish Federation of St. Louis: It created a Community Response Fund, designed to raise funds to meet the unprecedented needs created by the COVID-19 outbreak. This fund will help meet those unexpected demands on our services. Its Community Impact team has been contacting all organizations in our community and assessing the short-term and long-term needs. Michael and Carol Staenberg have created a matching grant that will double the impact of any gifts totaling up to $100,000. Donations may be made online at JFedSTL.org.

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri: It remains dedicated to helping individuals and families during this COVID-19 crisis. Individuals who need assistance can continue to call 800.444.0514 toll-free number from 8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. The online application for help is available anytime (24/7) at www.lsem.org/get-help-now/. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept walk-in requests for assistance at this time due to COVID-19 safety concerns. Staff members can be reached by their usual office e-mail or telephone. Each office will respond to clients who call regarding their hearings, appointments, and to inquiries from our community partners.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis: Focused on helping meet the needs of artists, production staff, students, partners and homebound audiences around the region and working to connect artists with people who can help find temporary work and reach homebound audiences.