As we continue learning of more resources available to community members and small businesses with regard a variety of needs, we will add them to this growing list.
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
The Minnesota Department of Health is operating two hotlines related to COVID-19, both open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In order to keep dispatchers available for people in emergency situations, please do NOT contact 911 with COVID-19- related questions.
GENERAL QUESTIONS:
The Minnesota Department of Health is operating two hotlines related to COVID-19, both open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In order to keep dispatchers available for people in emergency situations, please do NOT contact 911 with COVID-19- related questions.
- Health questions, call 1-800-657-3903
- School and childcare questions, call 1-800-657-3504
EMERGENCY RENT & BILL ASSISTANCE:
Hennepin County Emergency Programs may be able to assist Hennepin County residents who are in a financial crisis that poses a direct threat to their physical health or safety. The county may be able to help by providing short-term aid. Services may include:
To find out if you are eligible, call toll free at 844-803-8466, OR contact one of the below staff members to assist you directly.
Hennepin County Emergency Programs may be able to assist Hennepin County residents who are in a financial crisis that poses a direct threat to their physical health or safety. The county may be able to help by providing short-term aid. Services may include:
- Emergency temporary shelter
- Housing costs like rent payments, damage deposits, home repairs and utility bills
- Foreclosure prevention, moving expenses and transportation to relocate
- Extra food support for people on special diets
To find out if you are eligible, call toll free at 844-803-8466, OR contact one of the below staff members to assist you directly.
- Contact for single adults: carlotta.madison@hennepin.us
- Contact for families: claudett.gordon@hennepin.us OR 612-596-1300
FOOD INSECURITY:
Minneapolis Public Schools is serving free weekday lunches to anyone ages 18 years or under as replacement for meals they would normally be served during the school day. Meals will be given from school buses parked in school parking lots; school buildings will remain closed. Meal pickup services will start Tuesday, March 17 and continue Mondays through Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm while schools are closed due to the COVID-19 virus. The closest pickup location for Whittier families is Lyndale Community School at 312 W 34th St. in south Minneapolis, but this linked map shows all available options.
Loaves & Fishes is offering free to-go meals Monday through Friday at Hennepin Elementary School (2123 Clinton Ave S in Whittier) from 5:30--6:30 pm. All are welcome! To donate food products, contact Kiley M. Benson, Loaves & Fishes Director of Operations, at 612-377-9810 (Main Office), 612-326-3668 (Direct), or 763-354-9617 (Cell).
Provision Community Restaurant is offering free, pre-packaged meals starting Wednesday, March 18th to be taken home and heated up. Meals can be picked up at the Provision Lobby between 5:30--6:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at 2940 Harriet Ave S right here in Whittier. They are also providing lunch every day to Simpson Housing Services guests. Dinner meals are first come, first served until supply is out.
DONATIONS: Restaurants who want to donate food product to Provision should complete the form on Provision's website, so they can evaluate whether they have capacity to take it. Neighbors who want to donate money to support Provision's continued ability to provide free meals can also do so through that same link.
Fallout Arts Initiative is providing a free community meal Come and pick up a 1 person free meal for from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm to take home and enjoy. Please practice safe distancing as you stop by to get your meal. At this time due to volume they can only hand out a meal to whoever comes to receive it and cannot send home extra meals for friends or family. They will also have their food shelf open Saturday the 28th to serve our community and will start to hand food out at 10:00 am.
Minnesota Central Kitchen is a new partnership by Chowgirls Killer Catering, Second Harvest Heartland and Loaves and Fishes to feed members of the community who are experiencing hunger. Other restaurants helping with these efforts are Restaurant Alma and The Bachelor Farmer and more to come. Food operators and food distributors with perishable product to donate should visit www.MealConnect.org. You will be asked to create an account and post your product as a donation.
See these City of Minneapolis guidelines on food donation and possible tax deductions.
Please share the below flyer with your networks!
Minneapolis Public Schools is serving free weekday lunches to anyone ages 18 years or under as replacement for meals they would normally be served during the school day. Meals will be given from school buses parked in school parking lots; school buildings will remain closed. Meal pickup services will start Tuesday, March 17 and continue Mondays through Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm while schools are closed due to the COVID-19 virus. The closest pickup location for Whittier families is Lyndale Community School at 312 W 34th St. in south Minneapolis, but this linked map shows all available options.
Loaves & Fishes is offering free to-go meals Monday through Friday at Hennepin Elementary School (2123 Clinton Ave S in Whittier) from 5:30--6:30 pm. All are welcome! To donate food products, contact Kiley M. Benson, Loaves & Fishes Director of Operations, at 612-377-9810 (Main Office), 612-326-3668 (Direct), or 763-354-9617 (Cell).
Provision Community Restaurant is offering free, pre-packaged meals starting Wednesday, March 18th to be taken home and heated up. Meals can be picked up at the Provision Lobby between 5:30--6:30 pm, Monday through Friday, at 2940 Harriet Ave S right here in Whittier. They are also providing lunch every day to Simpson Housing Services guests. Dinner meals are first come, first served until supply is out.
DONATIONS: Restaurants who want to donate food product to Provision should complete the form on Provision's website, so they can evaluate whether they have capacity to take it. Neighbors who want to donate money to support Provision's continued ability to provide free meals can also do so through that same link.
Fallout Arts Initiative is providing a free community meal Come and pick up a 1 person free meal for from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm to take home and enjoy. Please practice safe distancing as you stop by to get your meal. At this time due to volume they can only hand out a meal to whoever comes to receive it and cannot send home extra meals for friends or family. They will also have their food shelf open Saturday the 28th to serve our community and will start to hand food out at 10:00 am.
Minnesota Central Kitchen is a new partnership by Chowgirls Killer Catering, Second Harvest Heartland and Loaves and Fishes to feed members of the community who are experiencing hunger. Other restaurants helping with these efforts are Restaurant Alma and The Bachelor Farmer and more to come. Food operators and food distributors with perishable product to donate should visit www.MealConnect.org. You will be asked to create an account and post your product as a donation.
See these City of Minneapolis guidelines on food donation and possible tax deductions.
Please share the below flyer with your networks!
JOB INSECURITY AND UNEMPLOYMENT:
This list will be updated as regularly as possible with new information as we receive it.
Minneapolis Sick and Safe Time Leave policy FAQ for employers and employees.
State of Minnesota's Unemployment Insurance program overview and eligibility requirements are available here, as well as a link to the streamlined application.
Continuous updates will be posted on mn.gov/deed, so please check back regularly.
Job Opportunities:
This list will be updated as regularly as possible with new information as we receive it.
Minneapolis Sick and Safe Time Leave policy FAQ for employers and employees.
State of Minnesota's Unemployment Insurance program overview and eligibility requirements are available here, as well as a link to the streamlined application.
Continuous updates will be posted on mn.gov/deed, so please check back regularly.
Job Opportunities:
- Kowalski's Markets - "Our thoughts are with all of those who have been displaced from their job during this time. We are hiring at all locations and for all positions. Click here to fill out an application, and we will get back to you as quickly as we can. Sincerely, Kowalski’s Markets"
MNSURE EMERGENCY SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD:
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. You may also qualify for coverage if you have lost your employer-sponsored coverage due to the coronavirus outbreak. This SEP runs Monday, March 23 through Tuesday, April 21, and coverage would begin April 1.
Visit this link for more information and the application.
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. You may also qualify for coverage if you have lost your employer-sponsored coverage due to the coronavirus outbreak. This SEP runs Monday, March 23 through Tuesday, April 21, and coverage would begin April 1.
Visit this link for more information and the application.
SMALL BUSINESSES INFO & SUPPORT:
The City of Minneapolis has a dedicated Coronavirus page, including an FAQs page for Local Business that is being updated regularly as new information comes in.
The Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing during the pandemic.
Sales and Use Tax grace period for businesses with a monthly payment due March 20, 2020 will have until April 20 to make that payment, as identified in Executive Order 20-04. Identified businesses should still file their return by March 20.
MN DEED Authorized 0% Forgivable Loans
The Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) has established a loan program to assist small businesses directly and adversely affected and whose industry is named in Executive Orders 20-04 and 20-08 following the COVID-19 pandemic. More information and application here.
Technical Assistance for BusinessesThe City now has expanded Business Technical Assistance to address COVID-19. These services include, but are not limited to:
Community business support organizations:
Shop Local
Many restaurants are finding ways to adapt to the moment to keep their doors open by developing new curb-side pickup and delivery options. Small businesses often operate on incredibly tight margins, and we encourage any community members who have the means to continue supporting them with orders and/or gift cards during this challenging time to please consider doing so! It's never been more important to shop local.
Check out this interactive map of all the restaurants in the Metro Area who are offering curbside pick-up! A text list of these restaurants is accessible through the link, as well
Links to relevant governmental resources and home pages for small businesses related to COVID-19:
Crime Prevention Tips
The MPD's 5th Precinct has compiled this list of best practices and recommendations to keep your business safe during irregular operating hours.
The City of Minneapolis has a dedicated Coronavirus page, including an FAQs page for Local Business that is being updated regularly as new information comes in.
The Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing during the pandemic.
Sales and Use Tax grace period for businesses with a monthly payment due March 20, 2020 will have until April 20 to make that payment, as identified in Executive Order 20-04. Identified businesses should still file their return by March 20.
MN DEED Authorized 0% Forgivable Loans
The Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) has established a loan program to assist small businesses directly and adversely affected and whose industry is named in Executive Orders 20-04 and 20-08 following the COVID-19 pandemic. More information and application here.
Technical Assistance for BusinessesThe City now has expanded Business Technical Assistance to address COVID-19. These services include, but are not limited to:
- Navigating the process of layoffs and managing other employee issues
- Assessing finances and triaging outstanding expenses
- Working with lenders and other creditors to negotiate payments
- Applying for relief funds if/when available
- For food establishments:
- Moving to online ordering/delivery
- online sale of gift certificates
- other strategies for temporarily adapting business models
Community business support organizations:
- African Development Center
- African Economic Development Solutions
- Bii Gii Wiin
- Davis Law Office
- Lake Street Council
- Latino Economic Development Center
- Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers
- Neighborhood Development Center
- Northside Economic Opportunity Network
- Seward Redesign
- Social Impact Strategies Group, in partnership with Just Law
- Springboard for the Arts
- West Bank Business Association
- West Broadway Business and Area Coalition
Shop Local
Many restaurants are finding ways to adapt to the moment to keep their doors open by developing new curb-side pickup and delivery options. Small businesses often operate on incredibly tight margins, and we encourage any community members who have the means to continue supporting them with orders and/or gift cards during this challenging time to please consider doing so! It's never been more important to shop local.
Check out this interactive map of all the restaurants in the Metro Area who are offering curbside pick-up! A text list of these restaurants is accessible through the link, as well
Links to relevant governmental resources and home pages for small businesses related to COVID-19:
- Hennepin County Economic Development
- Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
- Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
- Minnesota Department of Health
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program
- Department of Labor
Crime Prevention Tips
The MPD's 5th Precinct has compiled this list of best practices and recommendations to keep your business safe during irregular operating hours.
NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT NETWORK:
Community members have put together some digital platforms through which Whittier neighbors can request or provide help to one another. Please feel free to share these resources with your own networks to ensure that those who are in a vulnerable situation can be supported if possible.
These resources are housed on a Facebook page titled "Whittier Community Care / Mutual Aid Network" but they each can be accessed as independent Google docs or sheet files if you are not a Facebook user. You will find:
If you want to offer help to your neighbors without posting your personal contact info, feel free to use the below flyer! WA staff will help connect those who call into the office with someone who can assist them. *For assistance with printing, contact info@whittieralliance.org with your name, requested quantity, and what time you will be picking them up from the WA office - 10 E 25th St, 3 doors east of Spyhouse Coffee.
Community members have put together some digital platforms through which Whittier neighbors can request or provide help to one another. Please feel free to share these resources with your own networks to ensure that those who are in a vulnerable situation can be supported if possible.
These resources are housed on a Facebook page titled "Whittier Community Care / Mutual Aid Network" but they each can be accessed as independent Google docs or sheet files if you are not a Facebook user. You will find:
- A spreadsheet for folks to list needs or help they can provide, contact info
- A form to ask for or provide help anonymously (except for page admins)
- A doc template to use when reaching out door-to-door to your own neighbors in case they do not regularly utilize digital communications. Somali, Spanish, and Hmong translations have been included on pages 2-4 of this doc.
If you want to offer help to your neighbors without posting your personal contact info, feel free to use the below flyer! WA staff will help connect those who call into the office with someone who can assist them. *For assistance with printing, contact info@whittieralliance.org with your name, requested quantity, and what time you will be picking them up from the WA office - 10 E 25th St, 3 doors east of Spyhouse Coffee.
DONATIONS NEEDED:
Compiled here is a growing list of donations needed at the neighborhood, City, County and State level, what is needed, and where to submit them (physical, monetary, etc.)
PROTECTIVE GEAR FOR FIRST RESPONDERS:
Hennepin County has created drop-off locations for items needed to protect people responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Staff working in quarantine operations, as first responders, in public health, and in clinics and hospitals are running low on supplies that keep them safe and help them continue their work protecting our community.
Priority items needed include:
Drop off sites (starting Monday, March 23)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Hennepin County
Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation
3000 North Second Street
Minneapolis, MN 55441
Adult Correctional Facility
1145 Shenandoah Lane North,
Plymouth, MN 55447
Southdale Library
7001 York Ave. South
Edina, MN 55435
Compiled here is a growing list of donations needed at the neighborhood, City, County and State level, what is needed, and where to submit them (physical, monetary, etc.)
PROTECTIVE GEAR FOR FIRST RESPONDERS:
Hennepin County has created drop-off locations for items needed to protect people responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Staff working in quarantine operations, as first responders, in public health, and in clinics and hospitals are running low on supplies that keep them safe and help them continue their work protecting our community.
Priority items needed include:
- Protective face wear – N95 or N100 respirators, PAPRs and surgical masks
- Nitrile gloves
- Tyvek coveralls
- Tyvek foot covers
- Eye protection (wrap arounds or chemical splash)
Drop off sites (starting Monday, March 23)
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
Hennepin County
Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation
3000 North Second Street
Minneapolis, MN 55441
Adult Correctional Facility
1145 Shenandoah Lane North,
Plymouth, MN 55447
Southdale Library
7001 York Ave. South
Edina, MN 55435
