The campus community's support 'is needed more than ever'
Julie Katsel, senior director, local and community relations
University of Arizona students, faculty and staff have always supported our Southern Arizona community in tremendous ways. During this unprecedented time of uncertainty, our support is needed more than ever.
Of course, one of the most important things you can do is follow current advisories about social distancing and travel. But there are still plenty of ways you can help.
Support a nonprofit
If you have a favorite nonprofit organization, be sure to reach out to see how you can help with its mission. Also consider helping food assistance organizations. Our Campus Pantry and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona both have unmet needs that are growing daily. Financial donations are essential because they give human-service nonprofits needed flexibility to adjust to changing needs.
The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona has created a Community Resource Guide, which will be updated regularly with ways you can be of assistance to the most vulnerable among us as the impact of this pandemic unfolds throughout our community.
Please become knowledgeable about resources available throughout our community so that you can share information with your friends, family and networks.
People needing assistance finding food, paying house bills, accessing free child care or connecting with other essential services can find resources through Arizona Together, which also helps connect people with volunteer opportunities.
Find out more by visiting these websites:
- American Red Cross Blood Services
- Arizona Together
- Campus Pantry
- Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
- Community Resource Guide
- United Way – Community Resources and Organizational Updates
Support our small businesses
The Arizona Daily Star and Tucson Foodie offer running lists of restaurants that are open for takeout or delivery. Many also offer online gift certificates, which allow you to support the business now when your support is most needed.
To make it easier for customers getting food from restaurants downtown, Park Tucson has set up free takeout parking zones.
More information can be found on these websites:
The Tucson Metro Chamber website has other ways you can support small businesses in Tucson.
Offer your talents and expertise
Almost every hour, I am learning of compassionate ways our faculty and staff are stepping up to meet our community's needs. If you have ideas about additional actions we can take to care for each other during this challenging time, please let me know. I welcome the opportunity to connect you with those in Tucson who need assistance, support and comfort.
We are all in this together, and now is a critical time for the Wildcat community to serve the Southern Arizona community.
Bear Down!
Julie Katsel is senior director for local and community relations in the Office of Government and Community Relations. She can be contacted at jkatsel@arizona.edu.