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Columbus, Ohio–based Washington Prime Group has already rolled out some 50 philanthropic initiatives nationwide, most of them spearheaded and implemented by the teams that manage its individual properties.

“Federal, state and local government and health officials are implementing unprecedented steps to limit the risk of COVID-19 community spread,” wrote ICSC President and CEO Tom McGee in a letter to President Donald Trump and members of his administration. “America’s shopping center owners, developers and tenants applaud the efforts that are taking place and are eager to support our nation as we confront this public health crisis. ICSC members stand ready to provide parking lots and unoccupied space to stage emergency supplies, facilitate the delivery of food and essential goods to fellow citizens and construct temporary health centers and shelter. Many of our members have already begun supporting local and national efforts, with many more ready to assist immediately.”

Here is a glimpse of what shopping center owners and major retailers are doing to support communities and other stakeholders during the pandemic, all while shuttering some properties to protect public health and keeping others open to meet robust demand for groceries, take-out meals and other essentials.

Blood drives, school lunches and beyond

The pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented blood shortage. According to the American Association of Blood Banks, some 4,000 blood drives have been canceled because of the pandemic. To conserve blood supplies, hospitals across the country are reportedly canceling elective surgeries and reducing the amount of blood they give to patients.

Many shopping centers have stepped up to address this life-threatening shortage by being host to blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross and other agencies. In late March, for instance, Washington Prime’s Clay Terrace lifestyle center in Carmel, Indiana, held a mobile-unit blood drive organized by a local branch of the American Red Cross. The shopping center also promoted the blood drive through its website and social-media channels.

“Our company is basically comprised of over 100 distinctly local venues,” wrote Louis Conforti, CEO of Washington Prime, in a letter that the general managers of the firm’s properties distributed to local, state and federal agencies working to contain the pandemic. “Each and every one serves a specific demographic constituency, and shame on us if ‘serve’ is exclusively defined as the sale of a good or service. We characterize our assets as town centers and, especially in a time of need, this sure as heck transcends footwear, cosmetics or a lamp.” Conforti noted that the firm’s properties could be used as distribution centers for medical supplies or as temporary facilities to administer COVID-19 tests, among other uses.

The pandemic has created not only dire health and economic consequences, but also a crisis for many American students. As of March 25, about 124,000 schools have closed to help stem the spread of the virus, reports Education Week. The widespread closures have deprived millions of children of instruction, and a significant number of them also of the free or low-cost school meals upon which they depend.