20 easy ways you can help others in Tampa Bay during the coronavirus pandemic

Tip a local stripper

When local strip joint 2001 Odyssey shut down to protect customers and dancers from coronavirus, its applied for —and then was denied—federal funding. Since then, 2001 has been livestreaming performances from its website. Performances happen Wednesday through Saturday from 9 p.m.–midnight. Don’t forget to tip.

Photo via 2001 Odyssey/Website

Order take-out or delivery from a local restaurant

You can check out our gallery, or list, then call your favorite local restaurant to see what its offering. Social distancing is easier now, with UberEats offering contactless delivery (and no fee), and restaurants limiting the number of people allowed inside.

Photo via The Cider Press Café/Website

Consider donating to your theater companies

Coronavirus has caused local theater companies (freeFall Theatre Company, American Stage, Jobsite Theater) to go dark. You can provide immediate support by investing in a season pass for 2020-21 or donating directly to the theatre.

Photo via Pritchard Photography

Donate to local food banks

Local nonprofits like Feeding Tampa Bay, Meals on Wheels, and Metropolitan Ministries are helping those in need find food during the pandemic. You can donate to any of the three, or find out Feeding Tampa Bay’s mobile food pantry will be stopping in your area (No ID, papers, or pre-screening is necessary to obtain food).

Photo via Metropolitan Ministries/Facebook

Local groups are offering free laundry services, and they need money to do it

Starting March 25, Current Initiatives, together with the City of Tampa, is spending six weeks at four different Tampa laundromats paying for the laundry of needy community members—plus hospitality workers left without jobs—in this time of unprecedented trouble and uncertainty. You can find details here, or donate here.

Photo via Current Initiatives

Stream or buy merch from local bands

Tampa Bay’s live music venues (and the artists that were supposed to play) have seen their calendars decimated in the wake of the global novel coronavirus pandemic—but you can still support them. If you’re able, buy their merch online or reach out and ask if you can send them cash. Ask if they’re available for commissions. If you can’t do that, stream their music on Spotify (Yes, even while you’re asleep; just mute it) or tune into a live session if they’re playing from home. Lastly, go to a local show when this is all over.

Photo via MARLO MILLER C/O GASPARILLA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Give blood

Donating blood is always a good idea, but it’s making a huge difference right now. Schedule an appointment with OneBlood here, and don’t forget to eat before you go. (Nobody specific said that. We just don’t want you to pass out.)

Photo via OneBlood/Facebook

Local record stores are offering curbside pickup

Some local record stores are still open with plenty of precautions, while others have gone completely remote. You can call or go online to see which ones are still open. Some Tampa Bay (and CL) favorites include: Daddy Kool, Planet Retro, Mojo’s Books & Records, Kingfish Records, Sound Exchange, and Steelworker Records.

Photo via pexels.com

Order food from a local farm

The Saturday Morning Market in St. Pete has moved to online orders, with drive-thru pickup options from several local farms. Have a favorite local market or farm? Check its social media, which might be offering delivery or pickup.

Photo via Saturday Morning Market/Facebook

Donate to a coronavirus-related GoFundMe fundraiser

Currently, there are over 22,000 coronavirus-related fundraisers on GoFundMe. Pick one, donate. This one is working to support artists and activists whose work has been affected by the pandemic.
Photo via GoFundMe

Call your elected official and ask when you’ll have federal aid

Find out which elected official is currently representing you and give them a call. Ask when you can expect your federal aid, and what options you’ll have on its delivery.

Photo via Adobe

Tip a random local bartender every time you have a drink at home

Each time you visit this website, a local service industry worker is selected at random. It lists their name and where they work, and gives you the option to tip them. Use the money you’re saving from eating out every day and put it towards helping the people that always make sure you have that extra side of ranch, or have your Friday night drink order memorized.

Photo via Adobe

Calculate how much toilet paper your household really needs, and only buy that much

This calculator takes statistics into account —how many rolls you already have, and how many bathroom trips you make a day?—in order to calculate how much toilet paper you actually need. Go to the advanced options if there’s more than one person in your household. Listen to its recommendation on your next visit to the grocery store.

Photo via Adobe

Sign-up for a virtual race

Register for CF9’s Community Hero Virtual Race (5K and/or 10K), and complete your race by the end of the month. Receive a virtual medal, and know your money is being used to buy gift certificates from local restaurants (those certificates will be raffled off to participants on April 1).

Photo via CF9/Facebook

Buy gift cards from local businesses

Amazon isn’t the only online ordering hub anymore. So many local businesses and restaurants have closed to visitors, but are taking online orders. You can buy a gift certificate and give it to someone—better yet, help the resto stay afloat now, and pay them a visit when they’re open again.

Photo via Three Daughters Brewing/Instagram

Download NextDoor and mark yourself available to help neighbors

NextDoor is a social media platform that connects you with neighbors. Recently, it added a map feature that lets you mark yourself available to help neighbors, and will also ask how you’re available to help. Check up on neighbors-in-need—or help them get groceries—without even waving at them. Leave groceries on their front porch if you can.

Photo via NextDoor/Website

Lastly, wash your hands and stay the fuck home

The best part? This one is free. (Unless you don’t have hand soap—why wouldn’t you fucking have hand soap by now?) Just sing for 20 seconds, give yourself a hand massage, don’t go anywhere unless it’s necessary, and you’ve already helped with prevention.

Photo via Adobe