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- Total # of calls 7/1/19-4/9/20: 3,336
- Total # of calls in March 2020: 539
From April 2-April 8
- 12 COVID-19 calls
- 38 Housing & Shelter calls
- 25 Food Assistance calls
- 21 "Other"- Support and Advocacy
- 15 Utility Assistance calls
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What We've Been Up To:
PANDEMIC PEN PAL
Do you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who could use a little sunshine?
NOMINATE
a Hernando senior citizen to receive a heartfelt message or homemade drawing from an anonymous United Way Pen Pal.
BECOME A PEN PAL!
United Way is matching 100 senior citizens with 100 pen pals. Find out more at
www.UnitedWayHernando.org/PenPal
#UNITEDUpbeats
We are continuing to share “positive promotions”
through our social media channels while encouraging uplifting local news to be tagged with #UNITEDUpbeats. Follow along on
Facebook
, and don't forget to share your own happy news and tag us!
- Ability Tree Florida is providing its MVPs and their families with "Quarantine Care Packages," available Wednesdays & Thursdays 11am-1pm for pickup at their office. Packages include a coloring book and crayons, a fidget toy, bubbles, and more.
- Dawn Center is hosting a Virtual Dash for the Dawn 5K in support of survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Register for the run here.
- If you're feeling stuck in a rut while quarantined at home, check out our list of "19 COVID-19 Boredom Busters" here!
- Kids Quarantine Coloring Book- download here!
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COAD
Community Organizations Active in Disaster
! Weekly Zoom meetings are being held every Monday at 9:30 AM. Hernando COAD Private Facebook Group for members coming soon! Join the discussion on how best to address the local needs surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Organizations in need of PPE (personal protective equipment) are connecting and arranging for donations of these essential items. If you are able to assist, please contact Angie. Thank you to UW volunteer Kathy for making these wonderful masks! (pictured right)
- With the closure of the libraries and parks in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, many homeless individuals are struggling to find a place to maintain their personal hygiene. We are actively researching the possibility of opening pubic port-a-potties and hand-washing stations to better serve this population.
- Agencies and churches continue to adapt to this “new normal” by providing online, drop off, or drive through program services!
- TANF assistance is available for qualified families facing homelessness through our Partner Agency Mid Florida Homeless Coalition.
- The Hernando County Sheriff's Office has established a "CARE LINE" program for the security and well-being of those living alone. Call the Hernando County Sheriff's Office at 352-754-6830 x 53660.
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UNMET NEEDS
United Way, along with Emergency Management and the COAD, continue to identify and assess the unmet needs of Hernando County residents. The most pressing needs identified are:
- food insecurity
- job loss
- unemployment benefits
- rental assistance
FOOD
In partnership with our
Partner Agency
St. Vincent de Paul's Food Pantry
, United Way has successfully
assisted 5 struggling households with a delivery of food
this week. St. Vincent de Paul is now operating on an "emergency food intervention" basis to serve those most in need.
BASIC NEEDS
The United Way staff held an internal
supply drive for diapers, wipes, and formula
, which was then donated to local
Partner Agency
Obria Medical Clinic
. Obria is distributing these items to residents in need.
HEALTH
LifeSouth Community Blood Center
is still accepting
blood donations
to meet the growing needs during the COVID-19 outbreak. Please contact your local center by calling 888-795-2707 to set up an appointment and save a life.
VOLUNTEERISM
Many organizations and churches that still provide services rely heavily on volunteers, many of whom are older and more at risk for COVID-19. In preparation to protect our elderly population, we are actively recruiting
VRC Disaster Relief Volunteers
(Volunteer Reception Center). Sign up now at
www.UnitedWayHernando.org/Volunteer
.
GIVE
United Way of Hernando County is actively collecting donations for the
Disaster Relief Fund.
All financial support will be used to provide relief for individuals and families' basic needs though United Way of Hernando County and Partner Agencies. Funds will help provide flexible resources to unmet needs (immediate, mid-term, and long term) for those impacted.
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Resources for Hernando County
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Hernando County Emergency Management
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Hernando County Emergency Management
's
mission is to foster resilience among the whole community by building and sustaining the capability to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from all hazards.
Contact Emergency Management by calling their PIC line at
(352) 754-4083
.
Subscribe to Alert Hernando
here
to stay up-to-date on the latest storm news during an active State of Emergency.
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Community Organizations Active in Disaster
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Hernando County Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is a group of organizations that bring together community, government, faith-based organizations, businesses, and volunteers committed to enhancing the community's ability to mitigate against, prepare for, and recover from disasters. This will be achieved through coordination and collaboration of member organizations.
As of 3/23, a Zoom Partners meeting will take place every Monday at 9:30AM.
If your organization would like to be involved in the Hernando County COAD, please contact Angie Walasek at [email protected].
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