Safety precautions preventing the spread of COVID-19 can have unfortunate side effects. Although these moves are strategic and essential to keep the virus from spreading, cancelling events, closing workplaces, and shutting schools can lead to new or worsening cases of food, housing, or income insecurity.
But, if there’s one thing the 757 is rich in, it’s caring neighbors and resources. Here’s a list of resources available in our area, and some ways to help.
If you have anything to add to this list, please comment on our facebook page or email Branding Chair Sarah Darrow at SarahHillDarrow@gmail.com
If you need help for your business:
Hampton Roads Chamber COVID-19 Business Resource Guide
Hampton Roads Chamber COVID-19 Business Recovery Guide
If you need food for your school aged children:
Portsmouth: From Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, and from Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27, the City of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Public Schools are partnering to provide food program services for Pre-K through 12th grade students. All meals will consist of bagged food for pick-up only (i.e. no eating at the sites). One meal per child who MUST be physically present to receive a meal.
Portsmouth Public Schools will serve breakfast from 8–9 a.m. and Lunch from Noon to 1 p.m. at the following sites:
- Churchland Middle School 4051 River Shore Road
- Wilson High School 1401 Elmhurst Lane
- I.C. Norcom High School, located at 1801 London Boulevard
The City of Portsmouth will serve Lunch from Noon to 2 p.m. and Dinner from 5–7p.m. at the following sites:
- Social Services Building 1701 High Street
- Neighborhood Facility Recreation Center 900 Elm Ave
Cavalier Manor Recreation Center 404 Viking Street - J.E. Parker Recreation Center (2430 Turnpike Road
For additional information, call the Portsmouth Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at (757) 393-8481.
For other school district accommodations, please click here.
If you need financial help:
Please visit 757resources.org. There you can find resources for food, housing, childhood and maternity, inmate and re-entry, legal and public safety, education, employment, health including mental health, senior, disability, housing, veteran and military, clothing and household goods, and violence intervention.
To check into government benefits for which you may qualify including energy, food, and healthcare assistance, visit CommonHelp.
If you are unable to leave your home due to quarantine or existing illness:
Fill out this form and we’ll try to help connect you to local community members who can help.
If you are a college student:
U-haul is making their services free or extremely discounted for students who need to move or store their belongings. Visit their website or contact them for details.
Check in with your university’s dean of students, and see about food assistance. College students are often prone to food insecurity and there’s no shame in asking for help.
If you are looking for remote work opportunities:
Check out this list to connect with resources and find some possibilities.
If you would like to help:
tHRive’s community partner of the year is Samaritan House. They are in need of cleaning supply kits. These are difficult to come by now, but if you can spare some disinfecting supplies they’d be greatly appreciated. They also need air mattresses and pumps. You can drop off donations at their office in Virginia Beach, located at 2620 Southern Boulevard.
Their specific needs include:
- Hand Sanitizer (minimum of 60% alcohol)
- Aloe
- Clorox Wipes (35 – 50 count as they are small and will fit inside of the bins.)
- Alcohol
- Lysol Spray
The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank is starting to see declines in food donations, and needs volunteers for their packing and sorting facility as well as their mobile food banks for distribution. Visit their website or call Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Ponce at 757-596-7188 to set up a time to volunteer. Financial assistance is always welcome Each dollar you donate provides 4 meals. You can donate online at their website.
The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore is kindly requesting for your help with:
- Funds. They will use donations to deliver targeted support to the neediest of our neighbors. Click here to Donate.
- Contact your Congressional Representatives and Senators to request rapid approval to use USDA resources to distribute food using a disaster response approach. Please consider asking about flexibility in SNAP disbursements so that states can provide benefits to families that qualify for free and reduced price meals at school so that families can purchase food when schools are closed.
https://www.house.gov/representati…/find-your-representative
https://www.senate.gov/senat…/How_to_correspond_senators.htm
- Share FoodbankSEVA’s social media posts to ensure that those who need help and those who want to help can be informed.
The Hampton Roads Community Action Program (HRCAP) offers a variety of assistance including emergency services. You can help them by volunteering or making a donation.
Union Mission Community Services also provides emergency services and care for people seeking shelter or a meal. You can donate supplies or funds, in addition to many other ways to support their mission.
Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia is your connection to help with Meals on Wheels, which provides food for home-bound seniors. As the aging population is at particular risk, you may wish to consider supporting this organization by making a donation.
The Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center is desperately seeking people to foster or adopt animals as they made the difficult decision to operate without volunteer help. Visit them at 5585 Sabre Rd in Norfolk. Adoption fees have been discounted to $20 through Sunday, and animal reclaim fees will be waived until the end of the city’s closure.
This is just a start. If you know of any resources available or have anything to add, please comment on our facebook page or email Branding Chair Sarah Darrow at SarahHillDarrow@gmail.com. Thank you!
