Some are helping local food vendors stay afloat. Others are providing medical assistance to COVID-19 patients. All rely on goodwill donations and volunteer support to continue offering their services.
From a lack of access to basic health care to communities back-sliding into poverty, the pandemic has pulled back the veil on the shocking lack of equity in and failure to help citizens most in need. But stepping up to make difference are philanthropic groups and individuals taking matters into their own hands.
Thailand today confirmed yet another record-high COVID-19 infections of 14,575 and 117 deaths.
Want to make a difference, too? Here are some of the organizations to reach out to. This is by no means exhaustive, so if your favorite is not on this list, let us know via bangkok@coconuts.co
Bangkok Community Help
Started in April 2020, this foundation co-founded by Sunrise Tacos owner Greg Lange and Dutch expat Friso Poldervaart started by providing food, water and other essentials to the Khlong Toei community. It’s been a lifeline for at-risk communities ever since. Now its mission has expanded to providing aid to construction worker camps, too. The foundation accepts donations of cash and essential items (dried food, UHT milk, water, soap, etc.).
How to reach them: 083-589-5414, Facebook page
No One Cares Bangkok
The Doo Lae Gun Eeng Group, or “No One Cares,” was founded after several construction sites were forced to close under the pandemic restrictions and neither government nor private employers stepped up to provide adequate resources to those locked within. The group seeks to help migrant workers who are currently jobless and without access to food and essential items. Last week, Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada sent lunch boxes each day and Tops supermarket donated dry food and essentials.
How to reach them: Facebook page
Locall Thailand
This startup delivery platform was founded in March 2020 to help small, local restaurants survive as pandemic restrictions decimated business. Locall was created “by the community for the community,” connecting small, individual shops and food vendors – especially ones that aren’t digital-savvy – with consumers.
Startup delivery service throws lifeline to Bangkok food vendors
Under its new campaign Thai Mung Rum Kan Jak, the service allows the public to support restaurants through orders and aid others with a meal donation function. You can also donate food directly to the foundation, which will distribute the goods to communities that need it most.
How to reach them: Line @locall.bkk, Facebook page
Zendai
Zendai helps transport patients with COVID-19 and those at risk of infection who are unable to travel by themselves. They also ensure that all patients receive beds at hospitals. They take donations and are open to contributions too, as they require volunteers to answer phone calls and coordinate pick-ups and donations, such as PPE kits and money to cover insurance costs for their drivers.
How to reach them: 081-591-9714, 080-660-9998, 097-119-6836
Up For Thai
Up for Thai offers fresh meals and essential items to at-risk and in-need communities. They have sent and distributed meals to more than 120 communities and 159 camps. They also provide information to communities to keep them up to date on the latest restrictions and news. The group accepts donations of cash, snacks, and ready-to-eat or canned food.
How to reach them: 080-000-4566, Line @upforthai, Facebook page
Duang Prateep Foundation
The Duang Prateep Foundation, since the COVID-19 outbreak, has served as an information and distribution center. Recently the organization partnered up with the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok to donate relief supplies, like 30,000 disposable masks, 5,000 tubes of alcohol gel, 5,000 hand gel dispensers, and 400 pulse oximeters for children, teens, and adults. The foundation also distributes survival bags, meals, and more, round-the-clock; engages children in skill-building activities; and helps rebuild homes. Money donations help fund these activities as well as survival bags for those most in need now.
How to reach them: 094-343-1745
Scholars of Sustenance (SOS)
Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) is an international food rescue foundation that distributes high-quality surplus food from food-related businesses (restaurants, supermarkets, etc.) to the food insecure in Bangkok, Phuket, and Hua Hin. SOS is a member of The Global Foodbanking Network, which allows the organization to act as a food bank. The group also created the Rescue Kitchen Program to quickly cook meals using surplus food.
Last year, SOS said it served nearly 4.3 million people. If you have unused food or ingredients, you can donate them to SOS.
How to reach them: 02-075-1417, 062-675-0004
