At Brightland, we believe community is the foundation of living in a golden state. These are unprecedented times, and communities across the world are getting impacted. We've highlighted a few ways you can give back — organizations you may not have heard of who are doing important work, and little ideas to make a difference if a financial donation is not feasible for you.
Where to donate:
1. Feeding America — the nation's largest nonprofit dedicated to domestic hunger-relief. They have established a COVID19 Response Fund to help food banks across America support their local communities. This month, Brightland is donating 50 meals from every sale of The Artist Capsule to support their mission.
2. The James Beard Foundation — the JBF has launched a Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to small, independent restaurants impacted by COVID-19.
3. ROAR —several of our favorite restauranteurs from Camilla Marcus of west~bourne to Adam Saper of Eataly have banded together to create a relief fund for employees of the New York City restaurant industry. The fund grants $500 to laid off employees who apply for financial assistance through their program.
4. All Time — a local restaurant in our neighborhood of Los Feliz, Los Angeles that has been lovingly-packing produce and "survival kits" (which include our donated oils!) for laid-off employees of the restaurant and food industry.
10 simple gestures of kindness:
1. Leave a tip in your mailbox for your USPS delivery worker. Even if it's a couple dollars — anything helps, and the gesture will be appreciated.
2. Offer to sanitize your neighbor's mail and packages if they are elderly or immunocompromised.
3. If your work has not been impacted, continue to pay any household help, such as nannies and housekeepers. They don't have a work from home option!
4. Write a handwritten letter, take a photo of it, and email it to the recipient. The mail system is overloaded right now, and it's best to limit any non-essential mail.
5. Bake a little extra of that delicious banana bread or sourdough, and deliver it to the doorsteps of loved ones or your local newspaper working overtime.
6. If there's only one unit left of something at the grocery store, ask yourself if you really need it. If the answer is no, leave it for someone who might need it more.
7. Make your own hand sanitizer (it's easy!), and leave a basket of mini bottles on your doorstep for others to take if they need it.
8. Have a musical talent? Play on your doorstep for others to enjoy (or even join in on!)
9. Don't add to the panic. Text your friends funny or uplifting stories rather than the latest anxiety-inducing headline. @the_happy_broadcast has great ones.
10. The kindest gesture of all? Wash your hands and practice social distancing!
Stay safe!