Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources: Daily Updates
As a result of COVID–19, we know that many of our families and community members will see reduced income. In this post, we will be collecting and maintaining resources and announcements that affect our community. Please email dbylund@the-naz.org if you know of a resource that would be useful for this list.
Click here for our education resource list for at-home learners.
Food Resources
Beginning Monday, April 13th, the Y is expanding food distribution efforts and will be providing fresh meals M-F from noon-2pm to all communities. These are high quality, nutritious meals to help families and individuals through these hard times. Options will include fresh meal tins (include precooked meat/vegetable/potatoes) to Serve 4-6 each and fresh bag lunches (include sandwich, chips, carrots and a treat). This food is available to anyone in our community, so please know that you, or anyone you know, are welcome to pick up meals for themselves or for others.
Hunger Solutions Interactive Map
Find food shelves, senior resources, and free meals at locations closest to you.
meals. Families are welcome to take ONE (1) box per child, per week. Food is FREE and available to any child 18 years or younger. Look for the yellow school bus at all MPS food pickup sites! Make sure your household has adequate refrigeration to store food. Supplemental groceries will be available for families in partnership with The Sheridan Story. (Please note: Friday, April 3, will be the last day for daily food pick up.)
“Minneapolis Public Schools is providing students with meals while schools are closed due to the COVID-19 virus. These meals are intended to replace the meals services that students normally receive during the school day.”
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- 1729 Lyndale Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55412
- Open to anyone, regardless of zip code.
- Whereas their normal hours are every 3rd Saturday 8:00-9:30a, it’s highly recommend that participants call ahead (612-521-1749), as they often distribute food outside of those hours.
- A hot meal delivery program for folks who live in North Minneapolis and cannot make it to the food shelf is in the process of being developed (available until they hit capacity).
Food in the Hood- North Minneapolis Location
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- Beacon of Hope Church 2827 Newton Ave North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
- Open to all, no appointment necessary! However, with COVID-19, call ahead to 612-217-4003.
- Distributing pre-packed boxes to be mindful of the safety of participants
- 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month 4:30-8:00p
- Salvation Army- North Minneapolis
- 2024 Lyndale Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
- Appointment only, call ahead to 612-522-6581
- Wide variety of product available for pick-up
- Regular hours are Monday-Thursday 9-11 am and 1-2:30 pm
Minneapolis Central Church of Christ
1922 4th Ave N 55411 (612) 374-5481
Emergency Food Distributions in church parking lot and this will happen on these days of April Saturday11th, Tuesday14th, Saturday18th, Tuesday 21st, Saturday 25th, and the Tuesday 28th
NorthPoint Health & Wellness,1835 Penn Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
- Pre-packed boxes of food, along with produce and meat.
- Diapers available by request.
- Updated hours are Monday – Wednesday 10:00-4:30p (intake closes at 3:30p).
- This summer, starting in May, they will also be distributing fresh produce every Friday.
Serenity Village Community Church
4100 Douglas Dr. N Crystal 55422 call (763) 533-3929 between Monday – Friday 10a-5p to schedule time
Metro Mobility Delivers Groceries
Stay home and stay safe. Certified Metro Mobility customers and existing Transit Link customers can now order groceries and household essentials online from a store that has online shopping and local pick up. We will pick your order up and deliver to your house.
And the service is free — no fares for delivery.
2901 Emerson Ave. N.
Saturday food distribution every Saturday:
10:00 am Surplus from People Serving people
10:45 am Loaves and Fishes
Sometimes other amenities are available. such as diapers, pet food, and other items. They do social distancing and the participants use rubber gloves.
There are no requirements to participate. Just show up.
Individuals and families needing assistance can pick up a pantry bag from the Waite House and Brian Coyle Center food shelves, while take-out meals can be picked up from our Waite House and Oak Park Center community cafés. More info and times available on our website. Remember: No matter where we go from here, we go together.
FREE FOOD SITES:
Robbinsdale Area Schools is providing children 18 and under with free meals, while schools are closed, 10 am to noon, Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, March 20, 2020. Meals will also be provided during spring break Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27, 2020.
Food will be available near the main entrance, look for a blue canopy. Walk-ups will be serviced in a space at least six (6) feet away from the canopies.
Cooper High School: 8230 47th Ave N, New Hope, MN 55428
Sandburg Middle School: 2400 Sandburg Ln, Golden Valley, MN 55427
Robbinsdale Middle School: 3730 Toledo Ave N, Robbinsdale, MN 55422
Northport Elementary: 5421 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
Childcare
State Hotline for Childcare Questions
The State Information Hotline is open between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Metro number: 651-297-1304
Greater Minnesota: 1-800-657-3504
General Assistance
The Neighborhood HUB is available to help Northside families with assistance:
612-522-0942
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- Paying utility bills
- Providing additional basic needs supports
- Food distribution on Saturdays
- Food shelf in the attached church building
- Some rental assistance funds
Call for specific details AND REVIEW THE WEBSITE.
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Text “MNCOVID” to 898-211 or Call 211
COVID Resources for Undocumented Communities
Health and Community Wellness
MNsure is offering a special enrollment period (SEP) for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance in response to the potential growth of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases. This SEP will allow uninsured individuals 30 days to enroll in health insurance coverage through MNsure.
Minnesota Department of Health
Updates on the Coronavirus/COVID-19 from the Department of Health.
Walk-In appts for behavioral health. Screening and testing. The food shelf is open and will have emergency food boxes for families to pick up.
“We are here for families who need support for children’s mental health. Caregivers can call our intake team at 612.871.1454 or visit Washburn.org for more information.”
Mental Health Services – Our licensed therapists are available for telemedicine for anyone seeking services. 612-728-2061 (Our Hmoob intake line is 763-569-2625)
Unified Therapy Rehab services(Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapies) are available through telemedicine. For more information contact: Sandy Klein-Mirviss at 612-294-2666.
- Facebook Live video chats with expert clinicians (10 am and 4.30 pm)
- Remote evaluations and telemedicine
- Phone consultations for follow-up about Facebook Live events and other questions about the best way to manage kids at home
- Daily tips for parenting during the crisis, via email
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Useful resources for practitioners and those in need of immediate help.
Utilities and Technology
Xcel Energy/Centerpoint Suspends Disconnections
“As communities and families face the challenges caused by the spread of COVID-19, Xcel Energy will not disconnect residential customers’ electric or natural gas service until further notice. This step will help ensure people have the energy they need to power their homes and keep their families safe. In addition, for customers who have difficulty paying their electric or natural gas bill, the company will work with them to arrange payment plans that meet their circumstances.”
Water Shut-offs suspended for 30 days
“Mayor Jacob Frey announced Friday morning that Minneapolis will be suspending water shutoffs for a month, due to public health concerns from the coronavirus (COVID-19).”
Comcast offering ‘Internet Essentials’ package free for low-income customers for 60 days
Note on those with outstanding balances:
Households with outstanding debt owed to Comcast may be eligible for Internet Essentials. We are waiving this qualification if you apply and are approved by 5/13/20. After 5/13/20, standard eligibility rules apply.
“As the country deals with the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Comcast is taking immediate steps to help connect more low-income families to the Internet at home. Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, new Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service. We are also increasing the speed of the program to 25 Mbps downloads, and 3 Mbps uploads for all new and existing customers.”
The citywide Wi-Fi internet is now open and free for everyone.
Housing
The City of Minneapolis has made up to $3 million available to Minneapolis renters during the COVID-19 crisis through the following programs.
Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHA): $2 million
The amount of assistance provided will depend on the individual needs of the household, taking into consideration other resources the household is eligible to receive. In most cases, the maximum amount of assistance will not exceed $1,500 per household, but providers will have the flexibility to provide up to $2,000 for larger households living in units with three or more bedrooms.
Eligible expenses include:
- rent payments (late rent and rent due within 15 days)
- utility payments
- other housing stability related costs
Minnesota Suspends Evictions During COVID-19 Crisis
Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA)
“We know that the economic impact of the coronavirus may result in a loss of income for some households. Rent for all MPHA programs is income-based. Households should immediately report any loss of income to their eligibility technician, so that rent can be lowered accordingly and promptly. (Families with vouchers can also do this online using this form.) County courts are not currently processing eviction filings (unlawful detainers, or UDs) or holding eviction hearings because of the crisis.”
Unemployment
“If your employment has been affected by COVID-19, you can apply for unemployment benefits. After you apply, we will let you know if you are eligible.”
Minnesota Opens Unemployment Insurance to Contract Employees
“The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that the agency has begun making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments to people who are self-employed, independent contractors, and other eligible recipients who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.”
This is an ongoing list that will be updated for as long as COVID-19 remains a challenge for our community.
Economic Impact Payment Resources for the unbanked
To cash the Economic Impact Payment, it is highly discouraged to use a check-cashing business. Wells Fargo and US Bank will cash stimulus payment checks for non-customers in all branches, with no fees charged. For customers who may have a negative balance in their account, Wells Fargo will pause, for 30 days, the collection of that balance at the time the stimulus payments are deposited, allowing access to the full amount of the funds.
NAZ Response to COVID-19
The NAZ Leadership Team has determined, in the best interest of our community, staff, and partners, to close our physical office and work remotely from March 17th–May 4th. We are working diligently to ensure we stay safe while at the same time preventing major disruption to NAZ’s partnership with scholars and families during this time.
NAZ staff will continue their work remotely and will conduct meetings virtually or via phone. All NAZ coaches and relevant staff will be available by phone and email to coordinate necessary services with our families and partners. As of this writing, all of our Early Childhood education center partners are open and continuing to serve their families.
NAZ administrative offices will not be accessible until our planned return to normal business on Tuesday, May 5th. All events for the month of March and April will be rescheduled.
We are monitoring the situation and will be updating our response as the situation evolves.
These are challenging times. We recognize that NAZ is not a collection of individuals, but a cohesive community of parents, children, families, and friends that will need to lean on each other for support and solace.