The COVID-19 crisis has clearly rocked our community. Businesses are pivoting to continue operating remotely or reinventing their business models to meet consumer needs. Many are adjusting to the “new normal” of social distancing.

The nonprofits in our community have been impacted greatly not only by increased demand for services, but by losing revenue from planned fundraisers that provide crucial operating funds. The unknown timeline of when it will be safe to return to normal operations fuels concern about how to best raise funds to continue meeting the growing needs of our most vulnerable populations.

For example, YWCA Spokane offers help to domestic violence victims, whose circumstances may be exacerbated by the stay-at-home order. Unable to offer many of their counseling and legal services in person due to COVID-19, YWCA Spokane is embracing virtual meeting technology in efforts to maintain services for its clients. The organization’s 24/7 help line and emergency shelter remain open but have brought additional concerns and expenses due to social distancing measures.

The YWCA’s annual Spring Fling Champagne Brunch & Silent Auction should have brought people together in April to raise funds for advocacy programs that assist women and children in dire need. Instead, YWCA Spokane has a $75,000 financial shortfall, leading to uncertainty about meeting future needs.

With more than 1,800 homeless single women in Spokane, Volunteers of America’s Hope House shelter gives safety, food, and comfort each night. In the wake of the coronavirus, VOA has moved the facility to the downtown branch of the Spokane Public Library to offer additional beds while maintaining social distancing and has expanded shelter hours to 24/7. Without a commercial kitchen on site, VOA must accommodate additional meal expenses to feed the women three nutritious meals a day. Those expenses are in addition to increased staffing costs due to expanded services, paid sick time for employees, and overtime.

There are countless examples of nonprofits in our community with similar stories—increased need for services and fewer resources to meet the demand.

You can measure the quality of a community by how well it takes care of those in need. It is our duty to share the resources we have with nonprofit partners in our community that meet the immediate needs of those struggling now.

In this spirit, Numerica Credit Union is honoring all nonprofit event sponsorships and charitable commitments through this uncertain time. I encourage my peers to consider the responsibility we have to raise up and care for the community that provides us with talented employees and gives us the opportunity to serve our customers. If you intended to sponsor or give during this season, please maintain those commitments.

I urge you to seek out organizations providing shelter, food, and safety for our friends, family, and neighbors during this unprecedented crisis. Whenever possible and wherever possible, give to those who need our help. Go to nonprofit websites to see what their greatest needs are, whether it may be donating online, giving gift cards, or supplying food. 

We can make a difference in the well-being of those in our communities. We’re in this together.

Carla Cicero is president and CEO of Spokane Valley-based Numerica Credit Union.