Ways to Help During COVID-19

Want to help homebound Kirkland residents who need food? Sign up to be a Volunteer Food Driver with Sound Generations.

Contact Sound Generations at (206) 748-7588 or email dianas@soundgenerations.org to apply. If you become a volunteer driver, Sound Generations will connect you with a homebound individual or family in need of food. You will be asked to pick up a prepared food box from Hopelink to deliver. Please follow all social distancing requirements and recommendations when providing this community service.

The City of Kirkland has mailed an informational postcard(PDF, 213KB) to each residential address in Kirkland to connect residents who are homebound with needed services. The postcard provides three phone numbers of important information and resources that may be helpful for residents who are homebound:

• 1-800-525-0127 – Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center
• 1-866-427-4747 – 24-Hour Crisis Line
• 1-425-207-4777 – Sound Generations Call Center for people unable to get food

Know the facts by staying informed in this rapidly evolving situation.

• Up-to-date recommendations and information from Public Health - Seattle & King County
• Please call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800-525-0127 for general questions about COVID-19 in Washington.
• In this time of uncertainty, it is important that we remember our community’s values of being safe, inclusive, and welcoming.  We are all in this together, and together we'll get through this. It is critical to remember that misinformation about COVID-19 can create fear and hostility that hurts people and makes it harder to keep everyone healthy.  No race, nationality, or ethnicity is more likely to have COVID-19.  Speak up if you hear, see, or read harassment, and avoid spreading misinformation.  Public Health - Seattle & King County has developed various resources for responding to stigma.

Helping your neighbors by donating to helpful causes.

We're all in this together, and we all have a role to play in helping our community get through COVID-19.  Below are some opportunities to donate and volunteer during this challenging time for those that are able. 

• Donate Blood. Bloodworks Northwest has more information on coronavirus, who is eligible to donate blood, and donation locations.
• Donate Food.
• • Hopelink is providing foodbank and emergency financial support. Additionally, Hopelink is allowing anyone to pick up pre-packed boxes of food on behalf of neighbors in need. 
  • Sophia Way delivers food to women in shelters and needs meals donated and donations of items. 
  • Kirkland Delivers: Feed Neighbors, Support Businesses. The Kirkland Parks & Community Foundation is raising money to purchase food from local restaurants to provide to community members who may be in need of food support. 
  • Washington Food Fund is now accepting donations to provide food and supplies for those in need during the COVID-19 crisis. 
• Give to other local human services agencies. All human service agencies need donations due to COVID-19 impacts. Here is a list of human services agencies that receive funding from the City of Kirkland. 
• Donate to the Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund to help provide grant funding to local small businesses. 
• Donate to other regional non-profits via King County's Regional Donations Connector.
• Donate to the Seattle Foundation. A coalition of philanthropy, government, and business partners has joined together to create a COVID-19 Response Fund that will rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations at the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak in the Puget Sound region. 

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Secretary of State Kim Wyman are warning Washington residents to be wary of scams when looking to make charitable donations during the coronavirus pandemic. Take your time and ask the right questions to make sure they are a legitimate organization before you give or agree to any financial gifts. If someone uses high-pressure tactics to donate immediately, hang up. Research any charitable organization research and check and see if the charity is registered with the state. If the organization is registered, you can review its tax status and financial records. If it’s not, you are asked to contact the secretary of state’s Charities Program at 1-800-332-4483. You can also check a charity’s rating by the Better Business Bureau.

Helping your neighbors by volunteering.

• Homemade Masks Needs for non-medical settings. United Way of King County has created a special link for volunteer opportunities that support critical needs resulting from COVID-19, including the need for community-made masks. Please note this site lists volunteer opportunities throughout King County, not just Kirkland.
• Medically-qualified Volunteers. The Department of Health is supporting enrollment and activation of emergency volunteer health practitioners for the COVID-19 response (RCW 70.15). During an emergency proclamation, a volunteer health practitioner who is licensed in another state may practice in Washington without obtaining a WA license if in good licensure standing and appropriately registered. Qualified volunteers will help meet emerging demands for health practitioners in areas impacted by COVID-19. Also consider registering with Medical Reserve Corps. Email questions to WAserv coordinator Kim Butowicz or call 360-236-4090.
• Sign up to be a Volunteer Food Driver with Sound Generations. Contact Sound Generations at (206) 748-7588 or email dianas@soundgenerations.org to apply.

Supporting Local Business During COVID-19

Kirkland businesses need your support now more than ever.  For ideas about how to shop local while social distancing measures are in place, visit the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce.

Participate in the 2020 Census

Your household should receive your invitation to complete the 2020 Census via the US Mail between March 12 and 20. Once the invitation arrives, please respond for your household in one of three ways: online, by phone (844-330-2020, multi-language options) or by mail.