Coronavirus crisis in Southern California: How you can help amid COVID-19 pandemic

LOS ANGELES -- As our neighborhoods deal with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health crisis, many community members are impacted differently.

RELATED: Get the latest live updates on coronavirus crisis

Here are some ways you can help during this time:

Support local businesses by buying gift cards:

Stores and restaurants are hurting, as they close due to the safe-at-home orders around the area. Buy a gift card to help the local businesses now and use it once they're back open.

Donate to the City of Los Angeles Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund:

The Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund will support critical needs identified by the city as it responds to the pandemic. The Mayor's Fund, a 501c3, can quickly take in and disburse funds and is uniquely aligned with the city. The mayor's office has identified the following key priority areas: support for families and small businesses, relief for health care workers, critical health care equipment and services for unhoused neighbors.

Donate funds or food to a local food bank:

With unemployment skyrocketing during the coronavirus outbreak, many families will find themselves needing help for the first time. Over 37 million people don't have access to nutritious food, including 1 in 12 seniors and 1 in 7 children. Here are websites to support local food banks:

• Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
• Feeding America Inland Empire
• Food Share of Ventura County
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County

Find a volunteer opportunity through L.A. Works

If it is safe for you to do so, consider volunteering at a local food bank or other charitable organization helping those in need to obtain vital supplies and services during the pandemic. Visit L.A. Works to see who is in need of volunteers.

Give blood:

Donors are needed urgently. Here are some of the organizations facilitating donations:

• LifeStream Blood Bank
• Southern California Blood Bank
• American Red Cross

Support the United Way of Greater Los Angeles

United Way of Greater Los Angeles's Pandemic Relief Fund supports unsheltered residents who are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus, and low-income individuals, students and families at imminent risk of homelessness and hardships due to health and economic impacts of coronavirus. Click here to make a contribution.

Make sure you're protecting yourself and others out in public:

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

There are even more ways you can help your neighbors and community-- see our list below:

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

Here are additional organizations you can support as they work to lend a hand to Southern Californians during the coronavirus pandemic:

• Covenant House California: Los Angeles


• LA's BEST


• Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy


• Peace Over Violence


• Los Angeles County Alliance for Boys & Girls Clubs


• Adelante Youth Alliance


• Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights


• Community Coalition


• Los Angeles Music and Art School


• Self Help Graphics


• The Trevor Project


• The Los Angeles LGBT Center



• Latino Equality Alliance


• Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF)


• Brotherhood Crusade


• Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND)


• Project Angel Food


• Heart of Compassion


• Meals on Wheels


• The Performing Arts for Life and Education Foundation (PALEF)


• Arts Council for Long Beach


• Asian American Advancing Justice


• Homeboy Industries


• Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA)


• Urban Legue Los Angeles


• Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy


• The Autry Museum


• Food Forward