Facebook Debuts Feature to Request or Offer Help to Neighbours During COVID-19

Facebook has announced a new feature called Community Help, allowing people to request or offer help to those in their neighbourhood.

The social network says Community Help is a way for people to ask for help or provide it during the COVID-19 pandemic. Actions could be in the form of volunteering to deliver groceries, or donating to a local food bank or fundraiser, for example.

To access Community Help, it’s available in the COVID-19 Information Center on Facebook. The page allows you to set filters such as your location and radius, whether you’re offering help or requesting help, plus a variety of categories such as: baby supplies, business support, food, information, supplies, toiletries, transportation, volunteer work and other.

When you request or offer help, you can add up to 14 photos plus also tag one of the categories mentioned above. You can set your location, choose how you want to be contacted (Messenger or WhatsApp) and also set the post privacy to Public, Friends of Friends or Friends.

The company says this rollout is available in Canada, along with the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and France, happening over the next few days, with more countries “in the coming weeks.”

If you’re self-isolating and you need help with groceries, Community Help may be of assistance. It also is a way for those wanting to help out to find those in need.