Resources To Support Communities In Responding To COVID-19

The team here at Heady Vermont has been watching events unfold this week as Vermont joined the rest of the world in the effort to manage a truly global pandemic.

Our hearts go out to everyone who’s been afflicted, whose jobs and businesses have been impacted by the need to shut so much down, and, especially, all the health care professionals whose lives and systems have been overwhelmed by the scope of the crisis.

Fortunately, many folks are also stepping up with support, and a number of community organizers put together this list of general resources, health information, and ways for community members to help respond to this evolving situation.

Mental Health Resources:

• Crisis Textline: Available and free for many cell phone company providers, I’ve volunteered with them for two years and it’s an amazing resource for teens, adults, and elderly) https://www.crisistextline.org/  Text: “Home” to 741741
• You Feel Like Shit: Website for those experiencing anxiety around COVID-19.
• Pathways Vermont Support Line: Open from 3 PM to 6 AM. Connect with an operator by dialing (833) VT-TALKS / (833) 888-2557
• CDC: Managing Anxiety and Stress with COVID-19.
• World Health Organization: Mental Health Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak. 
• National Alliance On Mental Illness: Coronavirus updates.
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with Covid-19.

Statewide Resources:

• Vermont 2-1-1 for phone/text support 
• Vermont Economic Services is waiving in-person contact requirements for benefits programs. Apply online or by phone 1-800-479-6151 
• Vermont Foodbank (800) 585-2265) 3SVT (1-855-855-6181) Text VFBSNAP to 85511. 
• Vermont Medical Reserve Corps 
• Statewide Mutual Aid Sign Up: Sign up to help in your own community. 
• CDC’s Get Your Community Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019: Toolkit and resources. 
• Hannaford’s Grocery To-Go Order Online: Accepts 3SVT/EBT. 
• Generic Mutual Aid Form to be Edited for Any Community
• COVID-19 Mutual Aid-Central Vermont Facebook page

Educational Resources: 

• Anti-Oppressive/Anti-Racist Home School Options During Quarantine
• Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions due to School Closings 
• 12 museums that offer virtual tours

Addison County:

• Mutual Aid website; opportunities to volunteer or to request help

Chittenden County:

• Feeding Chittenden 
  • Volunteer babysitter program, in case schools and daycares close.
  • Fill out this form if you are interested in providing your availability for volunteering.
  • Fill out this form if you are a parent interested in utilizing volunteer babysitters.
• Share a meal with neighbors experiencing homelessness at ANEW Place. They currently have a lack of meal providers and could use your help.
• BTV Quarantine delivery request
• BTV Mutual Aid Volunteer Sign-Up
• Underhill/Jericho Residence: Delivery/Shopping Request  fill out this form
• Essex Area Mutual Aid Volunteer Sign-Up

Franklin and Grand Isle County:

• Food Shelf & Community Action
• Champlain Islands Mutual Aid sign up
• Grand Isle County Community Action Network (C.A.N.): Facebook Group for sharing information, resources, and opportunities to volunteer (please join the group rather than “like” the page)

Northeast Kingdom (Orleans, Essex, Caledonia Counties) 

• Mutual Aid And Defense NEK
• Southern NEK Delivery Request Form 
• Southern NEK Mutual Aid Sign Up 
• Northern NEK Delivery Request Form 
• Northern NEK Mutual Aid Sign Up 
• Northeast Kingdom Community Action: (802) 334-7316 for food, fuel, utility, housing, and childcare assistance. Food shelves in Newport and Island Pond.
• Northeast Kingdom Food Shelves
• Hardwick Area Food Pantry: (802) 472-5940 Hours: Monday 12pm-2pm and Thursday and Saturday 9am-11am.
• Craftsbury General Store:  Offering curbside pick-up, bulk buying and home delivery. 586-2440
• H.O.P.E Lyndonville: Basic services (802) 626-3228

Orange County:

• Bradford-Area COVID-19 Mutual Aid Volunteer Sign-up Form

Rutland County:

• Mutual Aid – “I can help” or “I need help”

Washington County:

• Berlin-Area Mutual Aid Sign-Up
• Montpelier Mutual Aid Volunteer Sign Up
• Montpelier Area Needs Request Form
• Mutual Aid – “I can help” or “I need help”
• Worcester Neighbor Network:
  • Volunteer Form
  • Help Request Form
• The Middlesex Town Clerk’s office is coordinating grocery and pharmacy delivery for folks in need: Contact them at 802-223-5915 and [email protected]

Windsor County:

• Royalton Area Mutual Aid Volunteer Sign-Up
• Upper Valley Mutual Aid volunteer sign up form ( Still in development) 
• Upper Valley Area Needs Request Form (Still in development) 
• Hartland-Area Mutual Aid Volunteer Sign-up

Other Resources

Capstone Community Action: Please note, our doors may be locked, but we are open for business. 

Emergency Housing and Fuel Assistance:  Starting Monday March 16th, our staff will be available to work with you over the phone.  Please call: 1-800-639-1053 to schedule a call with a counselor.

Barre Food Shelf:  Starting Monday, March 16th, our food shelf will begin pre-packaging bags which will be available for pick up on our loading dock, behind the building.  For the time being, our MWF schedule will remain the same. You may continue to visit every 14 days, and on Tuesdays for fresh produce and bread.

Tax Assistance:  Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program will be accepting drop-offs at our Gable Place office in Barre, our Randolph office, and our Morrisville office.  We will not be conducting in-person appointments at this time. Please call: (802) 477-5148 to arrange a drop off, or drop off during regular business hours. If doors are locked, ring the doorbell and someone will collect your paperwork.  Please bring your picture ID and social security number cards for you and your dependents, if applicable, and we will make copies.

Support Local Businesses

Consider purchasing gift certificates, ordering from local stores online, or taking advantage of home delivery services. 

Resources for Businesses:

• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued guidance, as well as information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
  • The SBA is working with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and nonprofits that have been severely impacted by the virus. If you are a Vermont small business being affected right now, contact the SBA district office at 802-828-4422. 
• Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development has also established a hotline so that businesses may call to report impacts and be directed to resources: (802) 461-5143.
  • The hotline will be staffed Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ACCD and the Department of Labor are working to keep you updated whenever new information becomes available.  We encourage you to sign-up for ACCD’s Business and Economic Response to COVID-19 Newsletter
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers: Recommendations & Response Plan
• Common Good Vermont Resource For Nonprofits
• Vermont Arts Council Resources For VT Creative Sector
• Vermont Community Foundation, Special and Urgent Needs: 500-$5,000 grants to organizations statewide to help nonprofits dealing with unexpected emergencies.
• The Department of Labor will be issuing guidance for Employers and Employees, including information on the potential impact on unemployment insurance benefits, employee sick-time and other issues as a result of COVID-19. More information and further updates can be found at labor.vermont.gov.

Health Information

If you’re symptomatic, please call your doctor first.

• Health Dept. COVID hotline: (802) 863-7240
• Vermont Department Of Health’s up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Vermont. Or call 211.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released guidelines for businesses.
  • There are links on this page that will provide you with additional guidelines beyond the business context.
• Vermont Department of Health has released guidelines specific to the food and lodging industries.
• UVM Health Network Covid-19 Information and Updates page organizes its updates by each hospital in the network.
• Walgreens Pharmacy Update: 
  • You can pick prescriptions for others with the last four digits of their phone numbers. 
  • They are doing deliveries, visit their website to request it.
  • They are waiving the $5 delivery fee at this time. Some folks may need help with this online form.

Donations

• Vermont Foodbank. Communications director Nichole Whalen says cash donations are more helpful than food or other items at this time. 
• Donate blood. The FDA has raised concerns about a blood shortage as donation drives are cancelled. 
• VTCOVID-19 Response Fund. The Vermont Community Foundation has set-up a special fund to help both with emergency response efforts and longer term recovery. 

Discussion

• VTDigger COVID-19 email list sign-up
• Front Porch Forum
• Community Organizer Slack