Empact Northwest, which was featured in our spring issue (“Empathy in Action”), has a more relevant role than ever. Accustomed to rapidly dispatching urban search and rescue teams to disasters around the world, Empact has pivoted to providing relief close to home since the coronavirus outbreak began. In addition to distributing personal protective equipment to local medical workers, the organization has conducted welfare checks, done grocery shopping, and delivered meal and prescription for residents who are quarantined, isolating or otherwise in need.
Always nimble in a crisis, Empact has managed to provide this relief while simultaneously developing safe intake processes for new volunteers and dealing with revenue shortfalls due to the economic impact of the pandemic. To learn more about its ongoing work, volunteer, donate or request assistance, visit empactnorthwest.org.