The isolation of social distancing is hard enough on its own. But many members of our community are also experiencing the added stress of job loss, unpaid leave, and/or the difficult task of finding child care. We at ThorpeLaw, P.A. care about all the members of our community, not just our clients. As such, we have compiled this list of free or reduced cost goods and services that are available to help out during this unique time in our nation’s history. Click on the names of the resources below to access more information about what they are offering as of the time this blog was published (and revised).
Emergency Food Supplies/Meal Services
Provides food during emergencies; Call 813-254-1190 before going to desired location to ensure they are still open and still have products.
Provides food during emergencies to those in Sarasota county. Also offers lunch for students in Sarasota County starting March 23rd
Provides resources for food, housing, prevention and children.
Offering grab and go breakfasts and lunches for individuals under 18 years of age from March 23 to April 15, 2020 from 9 am to 1 pm.
Diaper Banks
Provides diapers and related supplies. Please contact Champions for Children at (813) 673-4646 for more information.
Delivery Services
Free or low cost food delivery from many local restaurants.
Free or low cost food delivery from many local, independent restaurants.
Offering free food delivery with the promotional code “INSIDE”.
Psychological Services
Call 1-800-273-8255 immediately if you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233.
Provides information on ways to cope, what to do, and who to reach out to if things become more serious.
Headspace is a meditation application that has features being made available at no cost to at this time.
Physical Fitness
Offering a free trial period with programs like Body Flow, Body Combat, and other workouts that do not require equipment.
Offering a 90-day free trial that does not require a stationary bicycle.
Free access to Zumba’s legendary dance workouts.
Special Hours for Higher Risk Populations
Publix will limit access to its stores on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7-8am to individuals 65 years of age or higher.
Individuals 60 years of age or higher will have access to Whole Foods one hour before the store opens to the general public (8-9 am)
The first hour of the store’s operating hours on Wednesdays will be reserved for seniors (8-9 am).
The first hour of business on Tuesday mornings are reserved for seniors. Check your local Walmart for hours.
Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8-9am are reserved for seniors.
The first hour of business every day is reserved for seniors. Check your local Dollar General for hours.
The hours of 8-9am, Monday through Friday, are reserved for seniors.
The first hour of business every day is reserved for seniors. Check your local Big Lots for hours.
The hours of 8-9am, Monday through Friday, are reserved for seniors.
Financial Assistance, Including Small Business Loans
Individuals can apply for reemployment assitance (unemployment) benefits here.
The Simple Dollar provides listings of different banks offering assistance during COVID-19.
Provides links to different companies providing assistance for both personal and business loans. It also provides links for the individual to select depending upon their specific needs.
Financial and other resources available to residents of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Desoto, Sarasota, and Manatee counties.
Childcare
Providing childcare options during school closures.
Free Educational Resources/Websites
www.starfall.com
www.abcmouse.com
www.pbskids.org
www.raz-kids.com
www.coolmath.com
www.kids.nationalgeographic.com
www.scholastic.com
www.discoverykids.com
www.abcya.com
www.ducksters.com
www.switchzoo.com
www.reading.ecb.org
www.seussville.com
www.funbrain.com
www.storylineonline.net
www.highlightskids.com
***Please note that ThorpeLaw, P.A. is not sponsored by or otherwise receiving anything of value from the aforementioned businesses/resources.
Depiction of what it would look like if we could actually touch people who don’t live with us.
Image courtesy of unsplash.com.