The Struggle to Serve: COVID-19 Causes Problems for Nonprofits

As the effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt throughout the country, nonprofits are facing hard times. On any given day you can scroll your timeline and see another celebrity or philanthropic billionaire has made a generous donation to COVID relief efforts; yet many charities and nonprofits are still struggling. Donations to churches have fallen, volunteer numbers have also taken a hit and many organizations have had to cancel key fundraising events including galas, bike races and walks.

Since Gov. Whitmer announced the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order,

nonprofit organizations have been forced to make difficult decisions rather quickly in order to continue serving those in need.

The choices being made depend on the type of organization.

For Detroit Phoenix Center, which provides resources and support to at risk and homeless youth in Detroit, they’ve had to get creative with how they offer services.

“It’s been a challenge because so much of the work that we do Is tied to being a place-based program and we’ve had to close our drop-in center which is essentially a day shelter where young adults could shower, do laundry, access the food pantry, computer lab, and clothing closet,” said Courtney Smith, Detroit Phoenix Center’s founder and executive director. “We’ve had to transition to providing our workforce development programming virtually through Facebook and Instagram Live. We’ve had to get creative.”

And that’s not the half of it. Since having to close their drop-in center, the Detroit Phoenix Center doesn’t have a place for donors to leave their non-monetary donations.

“The community has been very supportive by dropping off essential supplies but it’s difficult trying to receive goods while not having a physical space to store things,” Smith said. “So, we’ve partnered with local businesses that are willing to act as drop-off points. It’s been nice to see everyone coming together to help our mission. We’ve had to pivot and rethink the way we serve.”

Forgotten Harvest has had to do the same. As COVID-19 leaves many without jobs, the need to feed families is dire. Food pantries that typically serve 200 families are now having double that. When COVID-19 hit, many of Forgotten Harvest’s community partners that act as pickup points closed leaving the almost 30-year-old organization looking for a new way to do their jobs.

“Many of our staff and volunteers are older adults and a lot of them have had to stay home as older adults are at higher risk for severe illness,” said Forgotten Harvest’s Chief Executive Officer Kirk Mayes. “Not doing our job is not an option so we had to find a new way to service the community.”

Forgotten Harvest decided to create a supersite model where they work with community partners in 15 locations throughout the Metro Detroit area to set up a mobile pantry. “Our trucks set up at the 15 pop-up sites and they distribute pre-packaged food boxes,” said Mayes. “We are here and we will provide nutritious food for anyone who needs it. It’s all a matter of flexibility.”

With so many moving parts and things being figured out daily nonprofits have to be flexible. This is nothing new for Focus: HOPE. The organization was birthed during a time of uncertainty. Detroit was still smoldering from the 1967 riots when a small band of people, led by Father William T. Cunningham and Eleanor M. Josaitis, pledged to unite a community that was sharply divided along racial and economic lines. And for over 50 years, Focus: HOPE has remained steadfast in its commitment to serving the community. But despite their long history of service even they have felt the impact of COVID-19.

“We immediately had to convert the way we deliver many of our services. We saw an increased need in our food for seniors program and for the parents in our Head Start program and we converted a number of Workforce Development and Education classes to virtual training,” said Portia L. Roberson, Esq., chief executive officer of Focus: HOPE.

If there were any service gaps or community deficiencies COVID-19 has laid them bear leaving many to reflect on what they would’ve done differently or how they can better position themselves in the future. One noticeable issue that Focus: HOPE (along with the DPSCD school system) is facing is Detroit’s technology gap. In Detroit, almost a third of households don’t have Internet. This digital divide is a today problem with massive implications for tomorrow, and it is not lost on Roberson.

“This has definitely made us much more aware of the need to provide technology to our students and families so that they are prepared to learn virtually and receive services virtually,” she said. “We must work to get more of our communities connected.”

Much like Detroit Phoenix Center and Forgotten Harvest, Focus: HOPE could use your help. With many nonprofits postponing their fundraising events and pushing them to Fall there are going to be many organizations in need of donations.

“We are always in need of donations. Through the generosity of donors we have been able to buy diapers, wipes and formula for our head start parents, Roberson said. “In addition, we always need volunteers. We are currently packing food boxes for 41,000 seniors per month and we rely on volunteers to help. We have masks and gloves; we’ve installed portable sinks and sanitizer and have marked the floor for social distancing. Our plan is to help and we plan to do it in a safe and healthy way for our employees and those we serve.”

To volunteer or donate to Detroit Phoenix Center call (313) 482-0916 or visit detroitphoenixcenter.org

To find the Forgotten Harvest mobile pantry pop-up nearest you, volunteer or make a donation visit forgottenharvest.org. Please note site locations are updated daily.