COVID-19 Resources

For a current and updated version please click here.

• Gainesville Mutual Aid – START HERE. Use google forum to request and/or offer. Facebook group is good for information. 
• United way dial 2-1-1 or 352-332-4636. One stop center to divert people to other services in and around North Central Florida.  Website (not useful on 3/18/20). This is a referral org, they put you in touch with agencies for rental and utility assistance, food banks, where to apply for unemployment, food stamps, financial assistance, other gov assistance, etc. Donate here 
• List of businesses open, closed, discounts, etc. 
  • 3-19-20 list of restaurant hours from the Sun.
  • Eat GNV Facebook group

Unemployment Assistance 

• Disaster Unemployment
• Florida DOE (general disaster unemployment application). 
  • COVID-19 Specific (unsure if it’s different). FAQ
• Gainesville Tipped Workers – needs donations. Facebook group.
• Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation Announces COVID19 Crisis Relief Fund
• Bartender Emergency Assistance Program – Unemployment help for bartenders, bar backs, or cocktail server who needs financial support
• CarrerSource (process SNAP, UI, etc.). Might be updated at some point. 

• • https://ofwemergencyfund.org/help 
    • This fund looks like it may offer assistance to hospitality and rideshare workers who are either laid off or have had their hours/tips reduced. 
    • Florida is one of the prioritized states for assistance.
    • Donations can be made here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ofwfund 
• Handbook from AFL-CIO

 

Food Assistance

• Civic Media Center Free Store – 433 S Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601

• • Tues at 2:45pm – (updated 20-3-19)
  • This is reclaimed food (mainly from Fresh Market) donated by a local farm. Please bring your own bag if possible.

• Bread of The MIghty – 325 NW 10th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601 – (352) 336-0839
  • 8:00 AM – 2: 00 PM Monday through Friday. – (updated 20-3-23)
  • Call if need delivery. 
  • “Need everything shelves are just about empty”
• Field and Fork (updated 20-3-18) – 564 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32603 – (352) 294-3601 – (updated 20-3-23) Need a UF ID. Students, faculty, OPS, etc. 
• • MONDAY: 10 – 2PM TUESDAY: 1 – 5PM WEDNESDAY: 3 – 7PM THURSDAY: 1 – 5PM FRIDAY: 10AM – 2PM
  • Could always use donations, has the basics, things are going fast. Trying to keep stocking. Donation during operating hours too. Relying on volunteers to keep going. Mostly GAs.

• Catholic Charities (didn’t talk to anyone) – 1701 NE 9th St, Gainesville, FL 32609
  • Monday -Wednesday 9am-12PM and 1PM – 3PM 
  • Thursday 9:30AM -12:00 PM
  • Does rental/mortgage assistance too
  • Might move to food pick ups instead of in person shopping. 

• Santa Fe College food bank
  • 3000 NW 83 St, Gainesville, FL 32606  – Building T at the Santa Fe Police Department – 352-395-5519
  • Come into the lobby and ask for a bag of food. No ID required. Offering to go bags for pick up. No questions asked. 

• Gainesville Vineyard
• Every other Saturday (happening on 3/21, 4/4, 4/18) from 9-11AM.
  • 1100 SE 17th Dr. 33641
  • Usually have a client choice approach but this week will be handing out pre-bagged groceries and do it as a drive thru. Will be giving out frozen meat, veggies, fruit, pasta, staples, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, etc. 

• Unconfirmed Food Information:
  • Grace Marketplace will distro food at gate
  • Healthstreet – might be used as staging location 
  • Alachua County Public School Farm to School Program – might open up their school lunch program to general public
  • First mag might be a pick up location for food. 

Housing

• Trump Administration’s eviction halt most likely didn’t affect you.
• New eviction orders are not being processed by Alachua County Courts. Old orders are not being enforced by Sheriff Darnell. 
• Collier said they don’t have standardized guidance for renters yet and that each individual should reach out to their own community. Since things are developing quickly, once they have any guidance on these issues, they will send it out via resident portals. 
• Trimark said they are waiving late fees on a case-by-case basis (for example, they won’t waive it for you if you’re late every month already). They have been in communications with their legal dept and have been advised that closure of school does not impact legal contract, so they are honoring all leases in their entirety. There may be further developments.
• Florida Housing Coalition COVID-19 Response for Housing and Homelessness in Florida Webinar – will be weekly on Thursdays, from 1:30 – 2:30 pm, through the Florida Housing Coalition website. 

 

Other

• Cox internet has a program. 
• OSHA fact sheet
• Facemasks making and donations. 

Statewide Call/Text Centers:

• Advent Health 24/7 hotline: 877-VIRUSHQ (847-8747)
• Crisis Text Line (COVID-19 Anxiety): text SHARE to 741741
• State of Florida COVID 19 24/7 Call Center: 866-779-6121
• NAMI’s Disaster Distress Helpline: call 1-200-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746
• Florida Information on COVID-19
  • Florida Department of Health: Coronavirus – http://bit.ly/33j0JT2
  • CDC Coronavirus Prevention: http://bit.ly/2QdPaaC
• Florida Immigrant Coalition’s Multilingual Information on COVID-19: 
• Plan and Preparation Guide for adults living with neuromuscular disabilities: 

Food:

• School Lunch Assistance: Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) activated their Summer BreakSpot website, where families can find free meals for children under 18 during the current coronavirus school closures. The meal locations may be found at SummerBreakSpot.FreshFromFlorida.com. You can review or post the full Press Release at https://www.fdacs.gov/News-Events/Press-Releases/2020-Press-Releases/UPDATED-Commissioner-Nikki-Fried-Activates-Children-s-Meals-Website-for-COVID-19-School-Closures#

Financial Safety:

• Unemployment Benefits: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity has opened temporary wage replacement (unemployment insurance) to eligible folks who are out of work through no fault of their own. See criteria and apply here: http://floridajobs.org/office-directory/division-of-workforce-services/reemployment-assistance-programs/disaster-unemployment-assistance

Small Business Owner Assistance: If you are a small business owner, The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program has been activated to support small business! Application period is from today March 17th until May 8th. Get more information and apply here: https://floridadisasterloan.org