Dear ones, may this resource page support us through these uncertain, painful, and potent times. May everyone feel safe, connected, and supported. May we take tender care of ourselves and each other. May we create a world where we share our abundance with equity, integrity, and love. Virtual hugs, Planty Kim
p.s. for now, my bodywork sessions and most of my public plant walks are postponed. i am offering gentle yoga classes online. (for free yoga classes for black, indigenous, and people of color check out and support sanctuary in the city).
- Suki Roth at Herb Haven in Alamance County
- Lea Clayton at Greenheart Healing Arts in Alamance County
- Monica Rivera of Cultivating Resistance Herbs in Durham (by donation)
- Ricky Bratz of Cazimi Healing in Chatham County (sliding scale)
- Hannah Popish of Poppysol in Chatham County (sliding scale; bilingual english/spanish)
- Oakmoss Attic Apothecary in downtown Pittsboro
- Lindsay Perry of Full Flower Herbs in Durham
- Henrietta Cummings in Randolph County: edgeoftheworldfarm@gmail.com, 919-742-4772
Herbal wisdom for health and healing from herbalists I trust:
- Friend and teacher, Juliet Blankespoor, at Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine has bundled all of their articles on Herbal Immune Support in one handy hub. She also has wonderful wisdom to share on nourishing wild foods.
- Herbalist and doctor Aviva Romm has also created a hub of articles on the topic: COVID-19: An Integrative MDs Commonsense Approach.
- Anti-viral plantcestors and deep wisdom from layla k. feghali at River Rose Remembrance.
- Friend Dave Meesters of Terra Sylva School of Botanical Medicine has started this An Herbalist’s Protocol for Attending to Viral Respiratory Infections document.
- Get Rad Boil Roots is a collaborative guide that offers preventative care including common kitchen/home remedies.
Access to Food, Medicine, & Supplies (many specific to Chatham County NC):
- NC Mutual Herbal Aid Network for Black Lives and BIPOC Healing is collecting money, material, and herbal medicine donations to re-distribute to Black and other people of color as well as front line organizers in need.
- Free curb-side meal pick up for children of Chatham County School families. More information here.
- Free Community Lunch offered Thursdays at Saint Barts Episcopal Church in Pittsboro noon-1pm (currently drive through/pick up).
- CORA food pantry in Pittsboro is providing services and accepting donations of food, money, and volunteers.
- West Chatham Food Pantry. 2535 Old US Hwy 421 North, Siler City. Call for current hours. Curbside service only. 919-742-3111.
- Chatham County’s three farmers markets are open with safety precautions in place and nourishing local food.
- The Chatham Food Hub is a nonprofit partnering with Chatham County farmers and restaurants to increase community access to local food through a single site accessible to people of all income levels.
- Black Farmers’ Market rotates between Durham and Raleigh every 2 weeks.
- Triangle Online Farmers Market coordinating deliveries and pick ups of fresh produce, meat, eggs, etc.
- It’s winter and there’s free wild greens and plant medicine to boost our immune systems! Follow me (planty kim) on instagram for educational foraging posts and enjoy my article on chickweed and wild greens pesto recipe.
- The 10 Best Wild Foods and Medicinals for Beginning Foragers and Wildcrafters from friends at Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine.
- Chatham County’s COVID-19 community services page with lots of information including support for childcare, mental health, domestic violence, and more.
- Neighbor 2 Neighbor is matching folks in need with folks who can help around Chatham County.
- Caremongering Pittsboro, a facebook group for sharing community resources throughout Chatham County.
- Hispanic Liaison/El Vinculo Hispano is still offering support via telephone, Facebook, and email.
- Chatham County Home Delivery Resources for Groceries and Prescriptions from the Council on Aging.
- Down Home NC Mutual Aid Fund for working class and poor families to access supplies.
- Chatham Solidarity Fund/Fondo de Solidaridad is accepting donations to share with low-income families who do not qualify for the stimulus check.
- Masks for Many, an effort by the Chatham County Arts Council to provide handmade cloth masks to frontline and essential workers. Need for financial donations to continue production.
Perspectives & Analysis:
- Yes! Magazine is sharing uplifting stories of creative community responses to this pandemic. You can subscribe for daily good news in your inbox.
- Dr. Rupa Marya, MD offers us this practical and inspiring Wellness To-do List
- Friend and fellow foraging instructor Alan Muskat reminds us that there is enough for us all if we share in this article, We Got This.
- Author Arundhati Roy’s essay The Pandemic is a Portal.
- Extensive resource list from the NAACP looking at ten equity considerations of the COVOD-19 pandemic in the U.S.
- More resources coming as I’m able! Do check out my community page with lots of additional links and my Instagram posts where I share inspiration for connecting with the edible and medicinal plant and tree allies growing all around us! For now, most of my in person classes plant are postponed (gentle yoga is online now!). Thanks for any donations you are moved to share to support me in creating public educational material! (there’s a yellow donate button at the bottom of the page)