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COVID: How You Can Help Downtown Norfolk

How You Can Help Downtown Businesses and Organizations

Downtown businesses and nonprofits are being financially impacted by the effects of COVID-19. Restaurants, retail shops, other small businesses, and nonprofit organizations will need continued support as they navigate an uncertain future.  If you are able, here are a few ways you can help right now.

Shop At and Support Small Businesses

Order From a Downtown Restaurant

  • Many Downtown Restaurants are open and available for curbside pickup, takeout, and delivery. Some are offering family meals or carryout alcohol options as well. See the list of Downtown Norfolk restaurants here. 

Shop Small and Local

  • Retail and Small Businesses are still operating in Downtown Norfolk and need your support. Some stores are offering curbside pickup, online shopping, and delivery, as well as some that are still available for walk-in customers (while practicing safe social distancing measures). See the  list of Downtown Norfolk retail and how they are currently operating here.

Give to an Arts Organization, Museum, or Nonprofit

Donations: Funds and Materials

Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore

  • The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore works to provide emergency food to seniors, children and low-income families impacted by food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic and are seeing an exponential increase in people who need food, as well as sharp declines in food donations, lost revenue and higher costs. They are currently accepting both monetary donations online as well as food and supply donations at designated drop off locations.

Corona Aid 757

  • Corona Aid 757 is a group of autonomous disaster relief workers attempting to alleviate stress and slow/stop the spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19 in the community. Contributing organizations include Norfolk Food Not Bombs, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief, Poor People's Campaign Tidewater, Workers Union. Accepting monetary and supply donations.

Restaurant Workers Community Foundation

  • The Restaurant Workers Community Foundation has opened a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, with money raised going to individual restaurant workers, non-profit organizations serving restaurant workers, and zero-interest loans for restaurants. FAQs can be found here.

One Fair Wage Emergency Fund

  • The One Fair Wage campaign has started an Emergency Fund providing cash assistance to restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers and more. Donations and applications are now available. FAQs can be found here.

Hampton Roads Virtual Tip Jar

  • A Google Sheet that helps you support local service industry staff. Find your favorite bartender, server, stylist, aesthetician, etc., and use the Google Sheet to find their Venmo/Paypal info to send a "tip."

Hampton Roads Community Foundation

  • Hampton Roads Community Foundation has created and is accepting donations for a COVID-19 Relief Fund that will be used equitably to directly support area nonprofits working on the frontlines helping people in Hampton Roads impacted by COVID-19 and its ripple effect. 

Meal Donations for Frontline Workers

  • Hell's Kitchen — Hospital + Hospitality program offers a way to show your appreciation to both industries by purchasing meals for healthcare professionals for only $10 per meal. Hell’s Kitchen is currently providing lunch and dinner options to Norfolk Sentara and CHKD. If you know the department that you would like to send the meals to, please let them know. Otherwise, Hell's Kitchen will be happy to reach out to the hospital to find out which departments need it the most. Choose from their Hospital + Hospitality Menu and then call 757-624-1906 to place your order and specify who you would like the meals delivered to. 
  • Cure Coffeehouse — Cure Coffeehouse has a way for you to help the front line healthcare workers: purchase a $10 Healthcare Worker Boxed Lunch. You can even add a personalized note during checkout that they will write on the box, so you have a chance to say thank you!
  • Vessel Craft Coffee — Vessel has teamed up with Three Ships Coffee to make it easy for you to send coffee to the front lines in the fight against COVID-19, including nurses, doctors, LPNs, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, police officers, grocery store workers, and more! This initiative not only supports these front line workers, but also supports Vessel Craft Coffee and Three Ships Coffee. Place an order for coffee or goodies online here.

  • SlideThru #FAM — SlideThru #FAM has put together these catering deals for rice bowls and Filipino classics to help continue to feed local essential staff. They can always work with you if you're looking for a different kind of catering package, as well. See the Catering Deals for Essential Workers menu here, then give them a call at 757-453-5904 if you would like to participate.

  • Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant — Health Care Workers with valid ID will receive 25% discount on all take out food as a thank you from Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant — and scrubs count as valid ID.

  • The Stockpot Norfolk — The Stockpot is letting you help Health Care Workers and/or First Responders by purchasing a Boxed Lunch.  We would be happy to go over the options with you. $10 buys one lunch & any donation is appreciated to help them feed those who are working so hard to keep us safe. Call 757-227-3337 to help!