Fruits of the Family Table COVID-19 awareness Letter
Good Day Fruits of the Family Table Community,
I want to wish you and your families well in these trying times for our world and our communities. The impact of COVID-19 has interrupted life as we know it.
Now more than ever it is important we take the proper precautions to lessen our risk of exposure;
* If you are sick, stay home
* Thoroughly wash your hands often, 20 seconds minimum
* Use hand-sanitizer when no soap and water is available
* Avoid touching face, eyes, mouth, and nose with unwashed hands
(CDC, 2020)
We are experiencing unprecedented times; therefore, these times call for unorthodox measures; hence social distancing.
COVID-19 Resources
The following resources were compiled by FOTFT staff and taken directly from the websites of the following businesses. Please see the respective business websites for more information.
General Covid-19 Information
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
According to the Public Health Department, Social Distancing is a term applied to certain actions that are taken by Public Health officials to stop or slow down the spread of a highly contagious disease (2020). Social distancing measures include limiting large groups of people coming together, closing buildings and canceling events (Public Health Department, 2020). During tough times we want to cling most to our support systems, but COVID-19 is causing a roadblock from us to engage in the traditions for which we’ve grown so accustomed. Yet, there is no doubt that with faith and hard work we will get through.
We are being tasked to rethink life as we know it; creating a new normal, working from home and virtual meeting are becoming a way of life. Students are working on alternate virtual lessons plans and the highlight of the day is a stroll around the corner, maintaining a 6 ft distance from other non-household members of course. Businesses are being pushed to no return; malls, movie theaters, hair salons, barbershops and others are closed, leaving more than 3 million people unemployed. Now is the time to band together and support one another, because it is the right thing to do.
Fruits of the Family Table’s mission is derived in communities, the freedom we have in not being a brick and mortar organization is our ability to connect with various neighborhood of Philadelphia and Delaware Counties. Please stay tune for forth-coming outreach efforts, in which we will be giving out essential items to deserving areas, in addition to our virtual implementation of empowering workshop series, intended to inspire, educate and empower all attendees. Most recently, we have committed to supporting small businesses, for which we have been randomly selecting participants from our reentry case management program and treating them and their households to lunch deliveries weekly. With a strong belief in the significance of everyone at the table, everyone has something to offer; we all have gifts and talents. A smile or a thoughtful gesture in this climate can and will go a long way. Please be mindful to be kind to all and consider all, most importantly the seniors who have been mostly impacted by this virus.
We thank you for your continued support of nonprofit organizations like Fruits of the Family Table, please be sure to check out our website for COVID-19 response resources at www.fruitsofthefamily.org . If you are interested in volunteering time to our forth-coming efforts, please email s.wilsontft@gmail.com. If you are interested in donating to our forthcoming events, please visit our website and click Donate.
We are resilient and we are adapting and there is no doubt that with faith and hard-work we will get through these trying times.
Sincerely,
Sharell Wilson, MSW, MS
Founder & CEO
COVID-19 RESOURCES
The following resources were compiled by FOTFT staff and taken directly from the websites of the following businesses. Please see the respective business websites for more information.
Unemployment Compensation Information
https://www.uc.pa.gov/Pages/covid19.aspx
* Unemployment compensation benefits Qualifications:
* Your employer temporarily closes or goes out of business because of COVID-19
* Your employer reduces your hours because of COVID-19
* You have been told not to work because your employer feels you might get or spread COVID-19
* You have been told to quarantine or self-isolate, or live/work in a county under government-recommended mitigation efforts
Urgent Care & Medical Information
* Covid 19 Urgent Care
* If symptoms from the virus are developed and person does not have a health provider here are some urgent care/health centers that can help you get tested
Donate & Volunteer For COVID-19 Related Efforts
https://www.phila.gov/programs/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/how-you-can-help/
* To donate money, food, and time because of Covid 19
* Resources for Philly families
* Diapers, formula and food
Family Resources
https://www.phila.gov/media/20200327112401/Family-Resources_COVID-19_3.24.20.pdf
* Food Assistance because of Covid 19
* Food assistance available for youth 18 and under, seniors, and those unemployed because of Covid 19
* No ID required (for the students)
* Meals for seniors are available Monday- Friday 11am- 1pm
COVID-19 Testing Information
https://www.phila.gov/media/20200325095234/Food-Assistance_3_24.pdf
* Drive Thru Covid 19 testing site at Citizens Bank Park
* 2pm- 6pm until supplies last
COVID-19 Updates
* Do you want the latest COVID 19 news texted to your phone
* Text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to get updated on the issue
Other COVID-19 Resources
PECO : Effective 3-13-20 is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges through at least 5-1-20
AT&T: Effective 3-13-20 Services won’t be terminated (wireless, home phone or broadband residential or small business customers) for the next 60 days
Metro: Case by case relief determination
Verizon: Waive late charges and service suspensions until 3-13-20, a form must submitted www.verizonwireless.com
Comcast: Offering an Internet Essential program to low income families, receive 2 months of internet free, $9.99 per month thereafter. Must apply by April 30, 2020. Signup and eligibility: https://apply.internetessentials.com/
Philly Water Dept. : Restoration of those who lost water due to non-payment effective March 13, 2020, no fee requested. All penalties and late fees waived, and no water shut-off services will occur.
Companies Hiring During COVID-19 (Please visit respective websites)
* Domino’s Pizza
* CVS
* ShopRite
* Amazon
* Wal-Mart
* Pizza hut
* 7-eleven
* Acme
Local Food Pantries: Please click link,
https://www.phila.gov/2020-03-28-where-to-find-free-nutritious-food-during-covid-19/
