When a Tzu Chi volunteer in Virginia was notified that a pediatric clinic urgently needed face masks, volunteers immediately delivered PPE to the clinic. Then, when Dr. Nguyen expressed concerns for the clinic’s low-income patients who were struggling with food insecurity due to the pandemic, he and Tzu Chi joined their loving efforts to organize a free food distribution.

As soon as the chef turned off the heat and transferred the steaming and tasty vegetarian fried rice into two big steel containers, Mingzhe immediately departed with them. He made haste to deliver the hot meal to the Jubilee Center of South Broward in Hollywood, a beachfront community located midway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, before 9:00 AM.

Tzu Chi Austin volunteers donated 2,000 masks to Hispanic Contractors Association de Tejas in July.

On July 9th, Tzu Chi volunteers delivered 300 vegan lunch boxes to show their support and encourage health care workers at the Riverside University Health

Tzu Ching and Tzu Chi volunteers in Washington state make PPE donations to local migrant farm workers in Yakima, WA.

As a response to the spike in new, confirmed cases of COVID-19 witnessed across the nation as states begin the gradual process of reopening, Tzu Chi Medical Foundation (TCMF) called its supporters and volunteers to action, urging the donation of personal protective equipment, and delivering plant-based meals, sticky rice dumplings, and fruit, to dedicated frontline health workers.

The drive from San Jose in California’s Silicon Valley to Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, located in Salinas, Monterey County, is scenic. There is much to enjoy, first along Santa Cruz Hwy 17, with tall trees lining both sides of the state highway, then the gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean along Cabrillo Hwy 1, which hugs the coastline.

People around the world are anxious and afraid due to the widespread impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak. However, in comparison to other U.S. cities, especially New York, the COVID-19 situation in Austin, Texas, has not been severe.

Tzu Chi USA volunteers in Northern California had begun mobilizing a response in March, setting up their NorCal PPE Project Team mid-month, to take charge of procuring PPE for distribution. The team’s goal is to respond to hospitals’ PPE supply needs promptly to effectively support frontline healthcare workers.