COVID-19 Community Partner Needs & Resources

The OCCE has pulled together a list of helpful resources for families in Forsyth County. Whether you are looking for educational programming, free-lunch options for children, food pantries, or child-care, our guide is a great starting point.

Resources For Families in Forsyth County

The Betancourt Macias Family Scholarship Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering undocumented youth and families, has compiled a datebase of state-specific resources for undocumented communities.

Resources for Undocumented Communities

Latricia Giles, an AmeriCorps VISTA with Habitat for Humanity, compiled a list of organizations providing emergency housing relief, as it relates to rent, mortgage, and utilities. This list  will be updated with information as it becomes available.

Resources for Emergency Housing Relief

Local blogger, Tim Beeman of The Man Who Ate The Town, and Lea Metz, a local marketing and fundraising strategist, have compiled a list of local Winston-Salem restaurants that includes phone numbers and hours; if they are offering curbside pickup or delivery; whether they offer gift cards; and also includes restaurants that have temporarily closed.

List of Winston-Salem Restaurants 

IMPROVment is a collective of dance educators, neuroscience researchers, therapists, and community artists bringing improvisational movement curriculum to communities through virtual classes. The ultimate goal is for this program to help enhance mobility, balance, quality of life, and cognition in older adults, but anyone can participate. 

View IMPROVment Movement Videos

AFCPE®, the Wells Fargo Foundation and Yellow Ribbon Network have launched a free virtual financial counseling and coaching initiative for individuals and families who are struggling with the financial implications of COVID-19. 

Meet with a Financial Counselor or Coach Today

This summer New Life Equipping Center (NLEC) will be hosting a Summer Character Camp from June 15th, 2020 through August 14th, 2020 (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.). The purpose of this camp is to encourage campers (ages 5 to 12) to choose good and right habits/behavior as they make new friends and explore new things. Contact for more information.

No Kid Hungry North Carolina has created a free resource to help families find meal programs for kids in N.C. while schools are closed because of the COVID-19 outbreak, including a map to easily locate drive-thru or pick-up sites with meals for children across the state.

No Kid Hungry North Carolina Meals For Kids

Throughout the week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will serve breakfast and lunch at select schools in each community. Any child 18 and under can eat for free at any of the locations. Adults may also grab a meal at cost ($1 breakfast and $2 lunch).

Full List of Participating Schools

Starting Monday, March 23 both The Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity Love Out Loud, are partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank of NWNC and nine local churches and organizations to distribute dinners to local communities.

More Information about Dinner Distributions

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Winston Salem recreation centers will be hosting an evening feeding program. Meals will be provided for those 18 and under, and for individuals with disabilities who are 22 and under.

More Information

The American Red Cross is currently experiencing a severe blood shortage, due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the coronavirus outbreak, and strongly urges healthy individuals to give blood or platelets to help patients in need.

Find a Blood Drive

Bethesda Center for the Homeless is currently seeking donations of toilet paper, Lysol, Ziploc bags, disposable razors, hand soap, hand sanitizer, trash bags, cases of water, ready to eat meal (i.e. Mac-n-Cheese), washcloths, and towels. Donations can be dropped off at 930 Patterson Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27101; Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Nate Hoots at (336) 722-9951 ext. 1425x

The Chaplain’s Emergency Fund was established to assist Wake Forest University  faculty, staff, and students in times of financial hardship. In this difficult time we know that service workers, such as, WFU/Aramark workers are disproportionately affected, with little to no income. Please consider making a donation to alleviate some of their stress in this uncertain time.

Donate to the Chaplain’s Emergency Fund

City with Dwellings is seeking donations to support their work with the homeless community in Winston-Salem. Tangible items include hand sanitizer and bleach wipes. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 20061, Winston-Salem, NC 27120.

Make a donation to City with Dwellings

The Community Health Alliance – Mobile Health Clinic is seeking supply donations of hand sanitizer, hand soap, disinfectant, and non-latex gloves for its work with The Salvation Army Center of Hope. Donations can be sent or delivered to The Salvation Army Center of Hope at 1255 Trade St. NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Crisis Control Ministries will remain open but are seeking shelf-stable food or monetary donations.

Make a Donation to Crisis Control Ministries

Crossnore School & Children’s Home is in need of educational, entertainment, and therapy options to utilize during shelter-in-place and social distancing for their residential children. They are asking for board games, craft supplies, sidewalk chalk, sporting equipment, iPads, or tablets. You can also access their Amazon wishlist for needed items. Additionally, you can make a financial donation or purchase a gift card from a local restaurant or grocery store

Crossnore School & Children’s Home Amazon Wishlist

Donate to Crossnore School & Children’s Home

Diaper Bank of North Carolina is in need of diapers (especially sizes 2 and 5). Only unopened products are being accepted, which can be dropped off at their warehouse. Diaper donations can also be made through their Amazon wishlist or you make a monetary donation. Please contact Diaper Bank of North Carolina at 336-830-4579 or for more information.

The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Winston Salem (DSA) has partnered with the Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands and the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware to start a Pen Pal program for children with Down Syndrome. Members of DSA will get a pen pal partner to communicate with from halfway across the country during the Covid-19 quarantine. Please email with the name of your child with DS, their age and their address and if they will be writing/drawing or if family members will be doing the writing.

The Downtown Health Plaza – Pediatrics of Wake Forest Baptist Health has seen an increased need for formula and diapers. They are asking members of the community to consider donating diapers and formula. Any brand of formula is needed but preferably Gerber Good Start Gentle, as that is what is provided by WIC and what parents are used to. You can ship donations directly to the clinic (1200 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27101) or email Callie Brown at to arrange a donation pick up from your home.

Forsyth County Department of Social Services and Public Health has created a facility for people experiencing homelessness to safely stay if they have tested positive or are awaiting test results for COVID-19. Volunteers are needed for logistical and contact less meal delivery support (volunteers will not need to intervene or interact with residents). Personal protective equipment will be provided. Click below to sign up for a volunteer shift:

Morning Shift

Afternoon Shift

Overnight Shift

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County is accepting drop off donations of gently used home decor, building materials, and appliances at the rear of each ReStore, they are also scheduling donation pick-ups. If you are unable to make a donation they ask that you purchase a ReStore gift card, this is a great way to support their efforts now and to get a great deal later.

Request a Donation Pick-Up

H.O.P.E. of Winston-Salem has an immediate need for sliced bread and bottled water. Supplies can be dropped off at 355 NW Crawford Place, Winston-Salem, NC 27105: Wednesday-Friday, 9:00-11:00 a.m. and on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Latino Community Services is in need of food donations, especially milk, beans, canned tuna, and shelf stable food options for their community. Please reach out to Odette Sanchez at to provide donations.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00-11:00 and 1:00 – 3:00, Maple Springs UMC Food Pantry needs volunteers to assist with their drive-thru and curbside delivery of pre-packaged food bags. Contact Scott Bowen at 336-722-7563 (ext. 434) or to learn how you can volunteer.

Mask the City is an initiative to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities by providing everyone in Winston-Salem access to a Nightingale WS Protective Mask (washable and reusable) while continuing social distancing (April 22 to May 31). Volunteers are needed to prepare masks for distribution and place boxes of masks in the trunks of cars of churches and nonprofits coming by for pick up. Donations are also being accepted to help provide masks to low-income individuals/families and seniors.

Volunteer with Mask the City

Donate to Mask the City

Project Mask – Winston Salem is addressing the need for healthcare masks. Locals are working together to sew masks for healthcare professionals in Winston-Salem. They are looking for individuals that are able to sew and/or cut fabric. They are also accepting financial donations for supplies

Click here for details on Project Mask

The Ronald McDonald House of Winston Salem has closed all volunteer programs but will continue supporting their families and providing daily meals. They are asking for food donations such as frozen, family-style meals and non-perishable, sealed foods. You can also access their Amazon wishlist for needed items. They are also accepting monetary donations or gift cards from local grocery stores.

Ronald McDonald House of Winston Salem Amazon Wishlist

Make a Donation to Ronald McDonald House of Winston Salem

Samaritan Ministries is continuing its shelter and soup kitchen operations and is suggesting donations through its Amazon wishlist. Volunteers are needed, either for serving shifts, or to pick-up food from local grocery stores. Those interested in picking up food, please call Vania Elliott at 336-748-1962 ext. 303 for more information.

Samaritan Ministries Amazon Wishlist

Register Online to Volunteer

Salvation Army is asking for monetary donations or requesting purchased items such as hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, gloves, masks, gowns, goggles, or soap, and having them shipped directly to its office at 1255 N Trade Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Make a Donation to the Salvation Army of Greater Winston-Salem

Second Harvest Foodbank continues to operate and could use financial support. Additionally, volunteers are needed for varying shifts. For updates regarding COVID-19 and Second Harvest Food Bank, click here.

Support Second Harvest Foodbank Virtual Food Drive

Sign Up to Volunteer with Second Harvest Foodbank

SECU Family House has made the difficult decision to temporarily close to guests effective Friday, April 3. Given that guests make up about 40% of their revenue, they are asking for financial support to help maintain the facility until they are able to reopen their doors after this crisis.

Donate to SECU Family House

Senior Services is asking for shelf-stable food donations such as tuna fish, soup, Chef Boyardee, peanut butter, pork and beans, and canned vegetables. Food donations can be dropped off at 2895 Shorefair Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 in the large red box located in the Meals-on-Wheels pick-up room. Volunteers are still needed for Meals-on-Wheels, however, the program will follow these additional guidelines

Volunteer with Meals-On-Wheels

United Way of Forsyth County and Winston-Salem Foundation are asking for monetary donations to the COVID-19 Fund for Forsyth County, which will provide resources to communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of the outbreak.

Make a Donation to the COVID-19 Fund for Forsyth County

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts is in critical need of food for students on campus or in the Winston-Salem area. They are asking for food donations from this list. All donations can be dropped off at the donation bins outside of UNCSA Campus Police.

Wake Forest Baptist Health is in urgent need of N95 masks, surgical masks, surgical masks with shields, and nasal swabs. They are also asking for these items. Donations can be dropped off at locations listed on their website.

Donate to Wake Forest Baptist Health COVID-19 Response Fund

The We Care House food pantry at St. Peter’s World Outreach Center is in need of volunteers to help organize and hand out food to community members during this difficult time. Please click here for more information on how you can volunteer.

United Way of Forsyth County and Winston-Salem Foundation are asking for monetary donations to the COVID-19 Fund for Forsyth County, which will provide resources to communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of the outbreak.

Make a Donation to the COVID-19 Fund for Forsyth County

Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools is asking for basic school supplies. Donations can be dropped off at the WS/FCS Warehouse at 4307 Idlewild Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27105, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Additionally, the school system is asking for donations to Second Harvest Food Bank, as it supports the lunch and dinner program for its students and families.

Support Second Harvest Foodbank Virtual Food Drive

As Winston Salem Rescue Mission continues to serve residents and the community through this crisis. In addition to financial gifts, they are in need of these items: bars of soap, vitamins, cough drops, Tylenol, canned vegetables, bottled water, potatoes, breakfast meats, and breakfast bars. Items can be dropped off at their facility. 

Donate to WS Rescue Mission

World Relief is seeking donations as they respond to and assist the urgent needs of refugee and immigrant communities.

Donate to World Relief