RESOURCE LIST FOR ESSEX CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
For People Needing Help Meeting Basic Needs:
Below is a comprehensive list of resources available to people - it will be updated as new programs are stood up - https://humanservices.vermont.gov/help-and-resources/covid-19-information
Food:
Aunt Dot’s Place: 802-857-8208;
51 Center Road Essex
Food Shelf Distribution: Tuesdays 6:00 PM-7:30 PM Thursdays & Saturdays 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Essex Jericho Underhill Food Shelf: 802-899-3932
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church VT Route 15 Jericho
Heavenly Food Pantry: 802-878-5745
First Congregational Church on Main Street in Essex Junction
Food Shelf Distribution: 2nd Monday (5:30-7:30)
4th Thursday (2-6 pm)
Many school districts are delivering and/or providing food to children. Some school districts are not requiring that the child qualifies for free/reduced lunch. Parents with children should be encouraged to reach out to their school districts.
Hunger Free Vermont:https://www.hungerfreevt.org/news/coronavirus
Economic Assistance: Call 211
Utilities:
https://greenmountainpower.com/covid-19/ (Green Mountain power- will waive/look at bills for financial hardship during this time)
https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19 ( New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service, which is available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month plus tax. Apply by April 30, 2020.)
Comcast will be running https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19 (Comcast- Internet Hot spots, increase in Data/ waive)
Economic Services:
This is the department that administers state benefits. Applications can be completed online or by phone. Benefits include: 3SquaresVT (food stamps), fuel assistance, and emergency assistance. If your financial situation is impacted by COVID-19, consider accessing this resource to see if you may become eligible for state benefits. https://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/benefits
Department of Labor:
The Vermont Department of Labor administers Unemployment Insurance for Vermonters. This is the website that you should consult to access unemployment benefits if your employment is impacted by COVID-19. https://labor.vermont.gov/unemployment-insurance
Child Care:
Essential personnel are still eligible to bring their children to group child care settings. The state of Vermont has also expanded assistance payments to people who cannot pay childcare due to COVID related employment loss/drop-in hours. See https://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd/covid-19
UVM has students who are willing to drive up to 20 minutes to provide volunteer care - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1WtXhniBjOFAM8VAZz6FwTLebXfzikqalpvvhKF8mS3lYBA/viewform
Housing:
ESD has extended housing benefits to vulnerable populations- see https://dcf.vermont.gov/dcf-blog/covid19-housing-supports
ESD has made available housing resources for people with no housing who need to self-isolate - see https://www.getahome.org/news/responding-to-covid-19-harbor-place-becomes-isolation-motel?fbclid=IwAR02v8tQmE1WkqcQVp_d5_FL9n5u0IOrJBDFIdaGaB4sRu9HDOlTPluhlQM
For People Needing Help Meeting Spiritual Needs:
1. USCCB – US Bishops respond to Coronavirus
2. List of prayer intentions for our parishes (these are prayed over in our daily Mass). Updated weekly.
3. Keeping Sunday Sacred (Diocesan PDF)