During this unprecedented time surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, there are many ways the public can help their community without risking the spread of the virus.

Ann Cochran, Health Navigator and Public Information Officer with the Dallas County Health Department, says most of the opportunities to get involved can be done from your own home. “One of the things that people can consider is donations to the food banks. So either calling and asking what specifically they need, or maybe better donating cash would be very helpful. Other things that we have encouraged people to do is to volunteer in a remote type of way. So call the United Way and say, ‘Are there volunteer positions that I could do from my home?’ And then also, we just encourage people to go ahead and check on those that they think may need some social support. So give a phone call to someone who is perhaps isolated.”

Additionally, Cochran says people can make and donate face masks to the local hospitals, which can be used in a variety of ways. To learn more about how you can help during the COVID-19 pandemic, reach out to the Dallas County Health Department at 515-993-3750. To hear more from Cochran, listen to tomorrow’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.