Gov. Newsom Launches New Website, Initiative 'Californians For All' For People Who Want To Volunteer
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - California is trying to make it easier for people who are healthy to volunteer during the coronavirus pandemic.
Urging people to help those affected by the virus, Governor Newsom on Tuesday, along with the state's Chief Service Officer, Josh Fryday, announced a new initiative and accompanying website called "Californians For All." The website, which can be found here: https://californiavolunteers.ca.gov/get-involved/covid-19/, breaks down the areas of volunteering into six areas:
- Support Food Banks & Shelters
- Donate Blood
- Check in on neighbors
- Support Nonprofits
- Join the California Health Corps
- Deliver Meals to Seniors in Need
Each area has a page that suggests some ways people can help. Most pages steer them to nonprofits partnering with the state, including Meals on Wheels, California Association of Food Banks, AABB blood bank locator, the California Health Corps, and Philanthropy CA.
Those who want to check on seniors are given some pointers on how to do this, plus access to PDF they can print and leave at people's homes, letting them know who they are and how they can be reached.
People who sign up to volunteer can also receive weekly emails to connect people with, "not just state priorities, but to local priorities and opportunity," said Fryday. "You could sign up for food banks for delivering meals or tutoring, or helping and shelter facilities, and many other activities," Fryday added.
The governor's announcement comes at a time where local nonprofits are feeling the effect during this time where people need them most.
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"The food bank... has lost roughly 70% of its volunteers since the beginning of this pandemic," Governor Newsom said.
At first, the Sacramento Food Bank was dealing with a loss of volunteers, but now they are seeing an uptick in people serving.
It's helping Carl Howard and his family. He's been struggling to keep food on the table.
"It has a bunch of beans, all the beans you can think of, apples, carrots potatoes, oranges," Howard said.
Governor Newsom is encouraging people to sign up to volunteer.
"Regardless of your age or stage in life we want you to volunteer, we want you to participate," he said.
Without the services, Howard says he wouldn't eat.
"This entire neighborhood is in need," he expressed.
