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Resources for Our Members During COVID-19 Outbreak

Resources for Our Members During COVID-19 Outbreak

PA West Soccer understands that during the COVID-19 outbreak, many of our members may be experiencing economic, mental, and/or physical distress. We’ve compiled a list of resources during these times.

This list is being updated regularly. If you are aware of any additional resources that can help our community, please email them to dean@pawest-soccer.org with COVID-19 RESOURCES in the subject line.

ACCESS TO INFO & UPDATES:

  • In order to best serve residents with questions and concerns about COVID-19, Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has partnered with United Way 211 to offer a 24/7 hotline. Please call 888-856-2774 to speak with a representative.
  • We are working hard to ensure that you have the best and most current information. Stay up to date by signing up for Allegheny Alerts (www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts) and subscribing to COVID-19, follow the Health Department on Facebook (@AlleghenyCountyHealth) and Twitter (@HealthAllegheny), and visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus.
  • FOR ANY GENERAL ASSISTANCE: United Way helpline (help connecting to all kinds of resources), call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211 or visit PA211sw.org; sign up for text alerts at pa211sw.org/text-alerts
  • Pittsburgh City Paper guide to Coronavirus

 

UTILITIES, RENT, ETC:

FOOD SERVICES:

  • All Pittsburgh Public Schools are offering free lunches from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Monday-Friday, you don't have to pick up a lunch at your kids school but rather the school that you're closest to. Keystone Oaks and St. John Lutheran Church in Carnegie are also offering grab and go meals.
  • foodpantries.org- a nationwide database for local food pantries. https://www.foodpantries.org/ 
  • Lawrenceville United
    • Lawrenceville United continues to partner with 412 Food Rescue to bring “rescued” food to residents in need. They do a weekly donation from Whole Foods every Friday afternoon, and expect to receive additional donations in the days ahead. To pick up a box of food on any Friday, call 412-802-7220 before noon.
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania is a great resource for finding active food pantries in Northwester Pennsylvania: https://nwpafoodbank.org/need-help/agency-locator/?dest=16502&lat=42.1103844&long=-80.0953942
  • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank 412-460-FOOD (3663)
  • United Way of Erie County 2-1-1 website: https://www.unitedwayerie.org/our-impact/family-stability/2-1-1/
  • Apply for Food Stamps (SNAP) & get answers about eligibility 
  • Expensify.org partners with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • With this in mind, Expensify.org is going to temporarily redirect all of its charitable funds to Expensify.org/hunger. With its ability to reimburse volunteers directly in real-time, Expensify.org is uniquely positioned to help families in need immediately. Until today, this fund was focused on paying off kids' "lunch debts" , but with schools closed around the nation, that isn't the top priority. Instead, we're devoting everything to a new program: matching SNAP grocery purchases up to $50 per family. It works like this:
  1. Purchase food as normal with your SNAP card
  1. Download Expensify on iOS or Android, for free
  1. Join the Expensify.org/hunger policy
  1. SmartScan the receipt, which will tell us how much you paid and show that it was paid for with an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card
  1. Submit it to volunteer@expensify.org
  1. Set up your bank account to receive the funds
  1. So long as we have funds available, we will reimburse up to $50 per family (one time), the very next day.

To be clear, we can't commit to reimbursing every single person in need — we have no idea how many people will do this, and unfortunately, we don't have unlimited funds. We also don't know how long this crisis will last and how far our brand new charity's resources will stretch. But we're going to do what we can with the funds donated on behalf of Expensify Cardholders via the Karma Points feature, as well as by the extremely generous donors who have signed up for our Corporate and Personal Karma programs.

This is a truly global crisis, and it is only beginning. We all need to work together to weather the storm, and on behalf of Expensify.org's many generous members, we're eager to help.

SHOPPING INFO:

HEALTH RESOURCES:

  • Peer Support & Advocacy Network

INCOME ASSISTANCE, LOANS, GRANTS, ETC: 

Loans:

  • Hebrew Free Loan is doing Coronavirus Bridge Loans asap to assist people who have lost income because of the pandemic. 
  • DVI Funding is doing Coronavirus Bridge loans asap. See site for more info and application. 
  • Car Payment Relief
    • Edmunds article: https://www.edmunds.com/car-loan/car-payment-relief-during-coronavirus.html
    • Grants & Funds: 
    • Pittsburgh Virtual Tip Jar - a new independent project hosted on Carnegie Mellon University's Center for Ethics and Policy website — is aiming to alleviate some of that financial stress on SERVICE INDUSTRY WORKERS that rely on tips. Get on the list and/or give someone a tip here
    • Modest Needs is offering donations to HOURLY WORKERS who won't get paid during the COVID-19 outbreak. (https://www.modestneeds.org)
    • Emergency Funds for people who work as BARTENDERS here. 
    • ONE FAIR WAGE - Emergency Coronavirus Fund for TIPPED EMPLOYEES & WAGE WORKERS
    • Gig Workers Collective - National & State resources here
    • Pittsburgh Stage Employee Bailout Fund
    • Mutual Aid Fund for LGBTQIA BIPOC (no location restriction. Donate or apply for funds.)
    • Mutual Aid Fund for [Pittsburgh] LGBTQIA (from SisTersPGH) - donate and/or get info about applying for funds 
    • Erie Arts and Culture Emergency Financial Assistance Fund: https://www.erieartsandculture.org/programs-and-services/funding/emergency-financial-assistance-fund​/
      • Through Erie Arts & Culture's newly formed Emergency Financial Assistance Fund, creative and cultural professionals, which includes artists of all disciplines, who have experienced a disruption to their income stream can request up to $500 in assistance from Erie Arts & Culture. Awarded funds can be used to assist with basic living expenses, such as housing, utilities, or groceries. The objective is to provide financial support in moments of crisis to those in the sector who are experiencing financial hardship. This fund is made possible through generous donor contributions to the Erie Arts Endowment. 
      • To be approved for assistance, individuals must meet three key criteria.
      • 1. Demonstrate that they are a creative or cultural professional
        2. Demonstrate that they have experienced a disruption to their income stream
        3. Demonstrate a need for assistance

     

     

    CHILDREN & FAMILIES: 

     ​

    MENTAL/BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & PEER SUPPORT:

    • RESOLVE Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-888-796-8226
    • resolve is a 24-hour, 365-day crisis service. It's free to all residents of Allegheny County, regardless of your ability to pay
    • During these uncertain times, we know individuals may be experiencing fear, anxiety or stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Allegheny County has services in place for individuals to speak with someone to assist in emotional support.
    • A Peer Support and Advocacy Network is available from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. by calling 1-866-661-9726
    • Crisis Services available 24 hours/7 days a week by calling 1-888-796-8226
    • Additional information and resources on mental health care can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website. The agency’s Disaster Distress Hotline is 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. People with deafness or hearing loss can use their preferred relay service to call 1-800-985-5990.
    • Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health (SAMHSA printable resource)
    • Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks (SAMHSA printable resource)
    • Forward Wellness Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC
    • We are offering telehealth services and accept all commercial insurance. Some commercial plans are also waiving copays. Sliding scale is also available  ($20-90). We also plan to do some online LIVEs around anxiety and coping through COVID-19. 
    • Info@forwardwellnesscounseling.com
    • Counseling Wellness Center - Offering telehealth services and accepts all commercial insurance. Visit site or 412-322-2129.

     

    SELF-CARE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS:

    • Headspace app free for healthcare professionals; will be able to access a full library of guided meditations (with a new one arriving each day), along with sleep sounds and bedtime exercises, all of which could help them destress. To register, you’ll need your National Provider Identifier (NPI) and an email address.

     

    HOMELESS SERVICES:

    • Drop-In Centers (most are closed, but may have limited services. Contact info is here. 
    • 412 Youth Zone - closed (as of 3/17/20) for 2 weeks. Supportive staff (youth coaches, supervisors, therapists, education liaisons) will be available remotely (phone, text, Facebook, video chat). Youth can call main landline to be directed to support: 412-902-4068. Youth can also access Youth Zone Facebook page for updates and info.
    • Wellspring - Drop-in center is closed; served outside. Clients can sign up to see case management, and will be seen inside 1 by 1. Clients can still pick up mail that will be brought outside to them.
    • Veteran’s Place (as of 3/17/20) - Drop in center and van services will still operate normal hours. Vet's Place will not accept outside providers into the space, only clients and internal staff.
    • Light of Life (as of 3/17/20) - Clients getting temperature screened before entering. Elevated temps advised to go to hospital. Meals still happening, trying to implement to-go meals. Extended donation hours M-Th, 10am to 4pm. Only two people at a time allowed in donation center.
    • Pleasant Valley (as of 3/17/20) - Overnight residents may stay in during the day and can receive lunch. Drop in center open to people taking showers and doing laundry only (M-F). Take out lunches will be offered MWF between 12pm - 1pm. Capacity will be limited to 20 persons per area. People may have to wait outside if capacity is exceeded.
    • Allegheny Link (DHS) (as of 3/17/20) - Main hotline 866-730-2368; in-person & site visits are suspended, call to be helped remotely. Field Unit is functioning remotely. 
    • Operation Safety Net (as of 3/17/20) - Minimizing face to face contacts. Focusing on medically vulnerable, and virus-vulnerable individuals.
    • Bethlehem Haven (as of 3/17/20) - currently remaining open; shelter residents are cleared during day for cleaning
    • Shepherd’s Heart (as of 3/17/20) - Normal operations. Clients will receive food in containers.
    • Jubilee Kitchen (as of 3/17/20) - clients can come between 11am-12pm daily for take-out lunch. No indoor service. 
    • First Presbyterian Dinner (as of 3/17/20) - no indoor service; volunteers will distribute bagged meals 
    • Persad (as of 3/17/20) - Clients can still come to shower, do laundry, and access food pantry. No "drop in" or congregating hours at this time.
    • Project Silk (as of 3/17/20) - Open Wednesdays from 1-5pm for services only. Clients can reach out to Silk to schedule 1 on 1 appointments, 412-532-2128.
    • McKeesport Downtown Housing Shelter (as of 3/17/20) - not accepting new residents for next two weeks
    • Daily Bread (as of 3/17/20) - Still giving out meals Tues. and Thurs. Meals will be handed out, to-go, in their parking lot. Inside is closed.
    • Youth Support Partners (as of 3/17/20) - Have suspended face to face interactions and meetings. Will be working remotely until the end of March. They will be utilizing phone calls, texts, social media, video chat, etc in order to continue serving youth.


    PHYSICAL WELLNESS:

     

    PET CARE: 

    • Many food pantries stock pet food. You can find a list here. Please call before going to ensure that they are open & available
    • Ellie’s Pet Pantry at Humane Animal Rescue - pantry info; info & services with adjusted schedule during COVID-19
    • FROM SENIOR PET & ANIMAL RESCUE: If you or someone you know is having difficulty paying for or receiving certain medical and everyday expenses for a senior pet during this unprecedented time of the coronavirus outbreak and quarantine, please reach out to us. Ferd's Fund is set up to help you.

    SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES: 

 
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