We’re all experiencing the impact of the public health risks and concerns amid the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, find out here now how can you protect your love older adults. During this time it is important that to remember that our Hope and Faith is in Jesus, and we are ALL in this together. Keep in mind that some of our friends and neighbors are facing greater risks and needs, as various precautionary restrictions are put into place to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus. If you or someone you know has a need, or if you want to help those with a need, we’ve put together the following list of community resources. This list will continue to be updated as the situation progresses.

If you need food, supplies and assistance…

SERVICES

• Let others pray for you by posting a prayer request on the WAY-FM Prayer Wall
• Reliant Energy The state of Texas has created the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program. Reliant residential customers who are low-income or unemployed as a result of COVID-19 and cannot pay their electricity bill may be eligible for 6 months of disconnection protection through the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program. Eligibility is determined by a third-party administrator, Solix.
• Woman to Woman Pregnancy Center- Providing diapers and baby formula Mon-Thurs 10am to 2pm. Call 940-383-4494 for details.

Internet/Phone Service

•  Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
•  AT&T COVID-19 response offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to families needing a data
• Verizon has no special offers but is following the FCC agreement.
• Sprint follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge.
• T-Mobile follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and will soon allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge

The following grocery store companies have announced designated store hours to serve seniors, at-risk shoppers, expectant mothers and first responders:

• Albertsons :From 7 to 9 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, the company is reserving time for "those vulnerable shoppers who must leave home to obtain their groceries, unless otherwise locally mandated." Find the full list of Albertsons companies stores here.
• Aldi: On Tuesdays and Thursdays, stores will open at 8:30 a.m. and "reserve the first hour of business for vulnerable shoppers." The discount grocer said this includes "senior citizens, expectant mothers and those with underlying health concerns."
• Big Lots: is reserving the first hour of operations each day for seniors and high-risk customers
• Costco Wholesale On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, Costco warehouses will open from 8 to 9 a.m. for members ages 60 and older, and for those with physical impairments. During this early hour, the pharmacy will be open, but the Costco Food Court will not. Find a Costco warehouse near you.
• Dollar General has committed that the first hour of store operations each day will be dedicated for senior shoppers.
• Kroger will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, high-risk customers can shop from 7 to 8 a.m.  *Please follow up with your specific store’s hours.
• Sam’s Club Starting this Thursday, March 26, Sam’s Club locations nationwide will offer early shopping hours every Tuesday andThursday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. for seniors and those with disabilities or compromised immune systems. This includes our pharmacy and optical centers and will last until further notice.
• Target: Each Wednesday, the first shopping hour will be available only for “vulnerable guests – including elderly and those with underlying health concerns.”
• Trader Joe’s Beginning March 30th, our stores will dedicate the first hour of operation every day (in general, between 8AM and 9AM) to serve our senior customers over the age of 60 and disabled customers who may need additional assistance while shopping.  To find the hours for your store, please visit our locations page.
• WalgreensThe drugstore chain has designated Tuesdays as "Seniors Day." The company's locations will be reserved for seniors, their caregivers and their immediate families from 8 to 9 a.m. Tuesdays. Customers 55 years and older will get special discounts on Tuesdays. Seniors will also be eligible for discounts on Tuesdays, including 30% off regularly priced Walgreens-brand items and 20% off regularly priced national brands.
• Whole Foods Market: Until further notice, all Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada will let customers who are 60 and older shop one hour before opening to the public

• Walmart announced “an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older.” The chain said the new schedule will start on March 24 with one hour set aside for vulnerable groups before the stores open for regular business hours.

If you are well, able and looking for ways to help your neighbors…

• Pray for others by visiting the WAY-FM Prayer Wall.
• Donate blood with Carter BloodCare and Gateway Church. Call or text 800-366-2834 or visit CarterBloodCare.org to schedule your blood donation today.
• Donate financially or donate time to help provide food to those who are at risk and unable to leave home....
  • Volunteers of America
  • Servolution Network
  • North Texas Food Bank
  • Christian Community Action
  • Food for the Soul

 

• Our Daily Bread:    https://www.ourdailybreaddenton.org/

Our Daily Bread feeds and cares for the homeless and at risk in our community while maintaining the dignity of our guests and offering opportunities for a new start. Prayers for staff, volunteers and those they serve. https://www.ourdailybreaddenton.org/coronavirus-needs

• I Can Still Shine:  https://www.icanshine2.org/

Serving abused women and their children of Tarrant County. 817-616-3500 Needs: Boxed meals, gas cards, $20-$25 grocery gift cards (Walmart or Kroger)

• Measured by Character:  https://www.measuredbycharacter.com/

Measured by Character is about impacting one's life, to make a decision that he or she wants his character to affect other peoples lives in a positive way. Prayers needed to keep these teens connected while following stay in place rules and not leaving the house. Prayers for provision for the organization.

• Journey to Dream: https://journeytodream.com/

We have a matching campaign going right now. We had a donor that will match up to 20K in donations. Also we are in great need of: Fruit All non perishable food All paper products Twin bed sheets Twin Comforters Twin Mattress Covers Towels and Washcloths.

• Alert Ministries: https://alertministries.org/

If you would like to partner with us in financially giving towards pantry and hygiene itmes donate HERE. If you are interested in setting up a community pantry food drive through your church or place of business please email christina@alertministries.org

• Soul's Harbor: http://www.soulsharbordallas.org/Soul’s Harbor is a homeless shelter that houses 60+ men in southeast Dallas. It was established in 1956.  It is supported solely by its 4 thrift store. During our shelter in place, this is probably a good time to clean your attic or garage or discard your old clothes.  Soul’s Harbor accepts all kind of things – furniture, appliances, clothes, household items, lawn mowers, ..  Anything that can be resold in its thrift store.  After you are finished with your spring cleaning, give Soul’s Harbor a call at 972-286-1940 or go online and submit an online donation: http://www.soulsharbordallas.org/?page_id=5169

Resources and Job Sites Texas Workforce Commission, COVID-19 The Texas Workforce Commission has put together a resource page for anyone whose employment has been impacted by the pandemic. There is an additional resources page for the unemployed here. Work in Texas This is a TWC site that allows job seekers to search for openings. Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas   Financial Assistance Other Than Unemployment Benefits.gov This government site allows you to search a catalog of programs and assistance, broken down by your state of residence. USA.gov This site outlines all of the federal assistance programs available in the U.S., including those that help with food, healthcare, housing and finances. Aunt Bertha This site connects users with programs and organizations in their community. The Austin-based company calls itself a social care network. Need Help Paying Bills This site breaks down federal and local aid programs available to residents.   Small Business Help The Small Business Administration is offering disaster loans for owners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The loans are long-term and low-interest and go up to $2 million to "provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing." Texas small businesses who believe they may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan can visit this link. To reach the SBA to ask questions about a loan, call 1-800-659-2955.   More helpful guides

• Need help in North Texas because of COVID-19? Here are the numbers to call
• Renters' relief: What you can do if you can't afford to pay
• What to do with your money and how to prioritize your payments
• Here's how to apply for unemployment benefits in Texas
• Where healthcare workers (and everyone else) can turn when the shelves are empty
• 'You should not have to worry': Texas Workforce Commission explains issues with unemployment process

INFORMATION – symptoms, statistics, health & wellness

• If you have any questions or would like more information about COVID-19, contact The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) by email or by phone: Email:coronavirus@dshs.texas.gov Phone:* Dial 2‑1‑1, then choose Option 6. Hours: 24/7
• Up-to-date case statistics for the state of TX are available on the Texas Health and Human Services
• The Center for Disease Control (CDC)offers a lot of helpful information on prevention, symptoms and treatment.
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Local Health EntitiesSenior Citizens/People with Disabilities
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for People Receiving Services-Medicaid
• Alzheimer’s Association Support during COVID-19
• AARP The AARP Foundation has put together a directory of local assistance available for those 55 years and older. You can search by zip code on their site to find the resources available to you.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention launched a digital toolkit containing resources to help you cope with your mental health and the COVID-19 outbreak. You'll find advice, guidance, content for social sharing, public messages, and more!
• Crisis Text Line caters to anyone undergoing any type of personal crisis, not just suicidal thoughts. Good resource for anyone feeling anxious about COVID-19
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professional
• Alzheimer Support is a free service that assists families who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Through our free search tool and nationwide database of Alzheimer’s care facilities, families who are in need of care for their loved ones are able to locate licensed care homes and communities that are best equipped to provide care for their loved ones.