Ways to help in the fight against COVID-19

To our community:   

We hear you, and we feel your love and support.  Thank you!

During this COVID-19 pandemic, we at Providence have seen the compassion and genuine care from individuals and businesses of our community. Many of you have inquired about donating meals, gift cards, and other items to support our frontline caregivers.

We appreciate these generous offers and would like to offer information and guidelines for those seeking ways to assist.

Food and other perishables:

Due to concerns regarding proper food handling and safe storage, social distancing requirements, and visitor restrictions to our facilities in Southwest Washington, we are unable to accept donations of food or other perishable items.   

Nonperishable items, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies:

Many are offering donations of PPE including masks, gloves and other items that are in short supply.  We are grateful for unopened, commercially-produced PPE, especially N95 respirator masks for our caregivers.   

For a donation of nonperishable items, please contact Karen Burton at 360-493-7482 or email karen.burton@providence.org

For a donation of protective personal equipment, please contact Jerry Roundy at 360-493-5044 or email Gerald.Roundy@providence.org    

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to accept home-sewn masks.  For up-to-date information on regarding mask donations and sewing efforts, please visit www.providence.org/lp/100m-masks

Cash and Cash Equivalents (gift cards, etc.):

As is Providence’s longstanding policy, caregivers are not able to accept cash, gift cards or anything that can be considered a cash equivalent.  These should be donated to the foundation office affiliated with the Providence ministry you wish to support. 

Online Donations:

For Providence St. Peter Hospital, Mother Joseph Care Center, Providence SoundHomeCare and Hospice, and Providence Medical Group, please visit Providence St. Peter Foundation at 

For Providence Centralia Hospital, please visit Providence Health Care Foundation – Centralia at 

Although specific needs for COVID-19 recovery are not yet identified, we know they will be significant.  Below are several funds we would ask you to consider supporting as they will provide direct help and needed equipment and supplies. 

Whatever you are able to do to show your support for our caregivers and patients, please know it matters deeply to us.  Whether a prayer for their protection or a donation to provide direct support, care and comfort, you are making a difference.  You are helping save lives in our community.

Greatest Need Fund (GNF):

This fund provides the greatest flexibility and accessibility to address immediate needs.  Both Providence foundations in Southwest Washington use gifts to this fund to directly support their affiliated hospitals and programs.  Greatest need funds will be used to support COVID-19 response and recovery.

Patient Assistance: 

Sister Rita (Providence St. Peter Hospital) and Sister Carolyn (Providence Centralia Hospital) Patient Assistance funds are used regularly to remove barriers for patients awaiting discharge from the hospital.  These can include transportation, lodging, food, clothing and other needs preventing them from making the transition out of the hospital when inpatient care is no longer required.  These benefits patients being discharged and those waiting admission when hospital beds are in high demand.

Employee Emergency Assistance:

Established and funded primarily by Providence employees to support the emergent needs of their coworkers, donations to either foundation for this purpose will be available to our caregivers needing financial assistance due to COVID-19 or any other unforeseen financial hardship in their household.  These funds are available to employees of all Providence ministries in Southwest Washington.

On behalf of all of our caregivers and those they will be caring for in the coming days, we offer our heartfelt gratitude for your overwhelming desire to help.  If you have any questions, please email ProvStPeterFoundation@providence.org and we will respond as quickly as possible. 

We hear you, and we feel your love and support.  Thank you.