While it can be frustrating to “shelter in place,” the Centers for Disease Control say its our best bet for lessening the impact of COVID-19 in Georgia and through the country.

Still, this is a generous, helpful community, and it’s natural to want to help. Here are a few ways you can help our community, some of them without even leaving the house.

For more than two years, the distinctive lime green Peanut Butter and Jesus vans have been hitting the streets every Saturday, distributing sandwiches to hungry kids.

With the recent school closures in response to COVID-19, Peanut Butter & Jesus has expanded from its usual Saturday delivery to weekdays as well.

A group of volunteers and church members meet up every weekday morning at Pineview Holiness Baptist Church to prep meals for kids who are out of school due to COVID-19.

To donate supplies, contact Tony McBrayer at 229-392-7774. Along with bread and peanut butter, they’re accepting other food donations, such as chips, apples, fruit, snacks and Hug drinks. A recent Boston butt donation has allowed them to make pulled pork sandwiches as well.

To make a monetary donation, send a check made out to Peanut Butter and Jesus to Tony McBrayer, 91 Springhill Church Road, Tifton, Ga 31793.

A signup form for volunteers is at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9AkfT9rB-iXRcVt-byIldvhxbACuxceuwIh8GoNzU1XSfww/viewform.

The Tiftarea YMCA might have closed down its gym for the time being, but staff are still working on helping the community.

The Y is serving as a drop-off spot for Peanut Butter and Jesus supply donations and is also collecting cloth masks being created by sewers in our community.

The masks are donated to Tift Regional Medical Center.

Directions for making the masks can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCJcE-r7kcg.

Community volunteers are also sewing aprons together for use by TRMC staff. For information about how to contribute, contact the Y at 229-391-9622.

If dropping off a donation, call ahead for curbside pickup.

Got another way to help our community during this strange time? Let us know at tiftongazette.editorial@gaflnews.com so we can let everyone else know.