Giving Tuesday Now on May 5 comes at important time for University of Nebraska

The current health pandemic creates unprecedented needs for the people and organizations we care about, including the University of Nebraska.

Giving Tuesday Now (#GivingTuesdayNow) is a new global day of giving and unity on May 5, 2020, in emergency response to the COVID-19 virus. Because of the urgency, it takes place in advance of the traditional Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1.

Those who wish to support causes related to the University of Nebraska on May 5 or around that day have an opportunity to make a difference. Here are some important options to consider:

University of Nebraska Emergency Assistance Fund — Helping to support students and employees on all four campuses of the NU system who are now facing sudden financial hardship due to crisis situations, including the current pandemic, is why support of the University of Nebraska Emergency Assistance Fund is needed.

Husker Pantry — Meeting the needs of students who face food insecurity is the role of the Husker Pantry at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln which has launched a special crowdfunding campaign at nufoundation.org/huskerpantry with a goal to raise $5,000. Meeting the goal means the pantry can partner with campus dining services to provide 3,200 meals to students in need.

Big Blue Cupboard — Meeting the needs of students who face food insecurity is the role of the Big Blue Cupboard at the University of Nebraska at Kearney which has launched a special crowdfunding campaign at nufoundation.org/bigbluecupboard with a goal to raise $5,000 to help students in need. Directed to help in various ways, gifts provide pantry staples, fresh produce, hygiene and toiletry products, and a needed refrigerator.

Maverick Pantry — Continuing to provide its services to food-insecure individuals is the reason the Maverick Food Pantry at the University of Nebraska at Omaha has launched a special crowdfunding campaign at nufoundation.org/unomavfoodpantry with the goal to raise $5,000. Meeting the goal will enable it to help students through the end of the year, which often represents difficult months for some students.

UNMC Global Center for Health Security — The Global Center for Health Security, led by the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine, represents a tradition of biopreparedness, including the internationally acclaimed Nebraska Biocontainment Unit team. A gift supports the center’s rapid response abilities, including training, education, research and clinical expertise for infectious diseases.

Nebraska Medicine — Support for patient and employee safety through personal protective equipment is the reason Nebraska Medicine has a special crowdfunding campaign at nufoundation.org/nemedppe. Gifts of various levels can help make certain health care professionals always have face masks, infectious disease supplies, face shields and intubation shields.

Nebraska Medicine Employee Emergency Assistance Fund — Helping current employees who face financial hardship resulting from emergency or crisis situations, such as the current health pandemic, is why support for the Nebraska Medicine Employee Emergency Assistance Fund is important now.

Those who are interested in supporting the University of Nebraska and Nebraska Medicine in other ways can explore the options at nufoundation.org/covid19.