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BALTIMORE: Community Resource List

By on April 9, 2020

Provided by the Greater Baltimore Urban League, 512 Orchard St., Baltimore, MD

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Greetings, 

We at the Greater Baltimore Urban League want to make sure you are safe, healthy, and prepared during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also recognize that you and your family may be experiencing food insecurity, new child care needs, and other financial hardships. In response, we have compiled a list of community resources and information that we hope will aid you in keeping your family safe and healthy.

COVID-19 is an infection caused by a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. Worldwide, COVID-19 or Coronavirus has resulted in human infections, causing illness and in some cases death. Cases have spread throughout the world, with more cases reported daily.

Symptoms of COVID-19: fever, coughing, shortness of breath, and in more severe cases, pneumonia (infection in the lungs).

You are at higher risk of severe disease from COVID-19 if you are age 60 years or older or have an underlying medical condition (diabetes, heart disease, lung disease and chronic kidney disease.

Reliable Information Sources on the Latest News About COVID-19:

Food Assistance: 

  • Food Rescue Baltimore provides fresh produce to those in need all around Baltimore. Click the link to find a location near you. You must bring your own bags. Check their facebook page for latest updates. 
  • The Baltimore City Health Department Food Distribution Sites- Identification or personal information will NOT be requested at food distribution sites. Find a site near you using the link: https://health.baltimorecity.gov/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/food-distribution-sites
  • Eating Together in Baltimore Program – Older adults who participate in Eating Together in Baltimore should reserve a meal through their Eating Together Site and should call Maryland Access Point at (410) 396-2273 for their pickup time. Older adults who are not Eating Together Participants but need meals should also contact Maryland Access Point. 
  • Maryland Food Bank- Simply enter your zip code using the link below to search for Maryland Food Bank partners near you. All listed partners are open to the public, but availability varies. Please call your nearest location to confirm services and hours of operation before seeking direct assistance. https://mdfoodbank.org/find-food/
  • Free meals for Baltimore City students- Baltimore City is providing grab-n-go meals to all Baltimore children and youth (18 an under) Monday-Friday, March 23-27. All sites are listed by quadrant and with meal type (Breakfast or lunch) and time. https://www.bmorechildren.com/freemeals

Supermarkets with special shopping hours for older adults and more vulnerable shoppers:

Target: The first hour of shopping at stores each Wednesday is dedicated to older adults and those with underlying health concerns. Opening hours vary by location.

Trader Joe’s: Everyday between 9:00 am – 10:00 am, employees will maintain an additional line outside the front door for seniors. This will “ensure that those customers in need will have an expedited entrance to the store.”

Walgreens: Tuesday is seniors day, with all-day discounts and senior-only shopping from 8:00 am – 9:00 am. The hour is also designated for caregivers and immediate families. Discounts include 30 percent off Walgreen brands and 20 percent off national brands for those 55 and older.

Walmart: On Tuesdays, March 24th through April 28th, shoppers 60 and older can shop one hour before the store opens. Its pharmacies and vision centers will also be open. Store hours are 7:00 am – 8:30 pm.

You can find the entire list here: https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2020/coronavirus-supermarkets.html

General Information Sources:

  • 2-1-1 Maryland is partnership of four agencies working together to provide simple access to health and human services information. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that connects people with important community services. Our specially trained call specialists answer calls 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Press Option 2 for information about the Coronavirus and resources.

  • Senior Call Check – Seniors can get a daily wellness check in call and updates on COVID-19 – Sign up by calling 1-866-50-CHECK(1-866-50-24325or here 🡪 https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/senior-call-check.aspx

Comcast is offering free 60-days of internet to New* customers:

As our country continues to manage the COVID-19 emergency, Comcast is taking immediate steps to help connect low-income families to the Internet at home. 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.

https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19

Utilities:

BGE is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges through May 1 and will be working with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment arrangements and identify energy assistance options.

In addition, BGE will be working with residents whose service was disconnected prior to the March 13 moratorium on service disconnections to have service restored and help ensure access to safe and healthy environments. Residents should contact BGE at 800-685-0123 to begin the reconnection process.

Childcare:

  • Childcare programs are private businesses and can make the decision to stay open or close. Please use LOCATE: Child Care if needed by calling 877-261-0060. They are operating during their normal hours 9A-4:30P.

Maryland Health Connection – Special Insurance Enrollment Period 3/16 – 4/15:

Housing:

Baltimore City Schools:

City Schools have a COVID-19 Hotline for parents and families 443-984-2000. You can also get updates at baltimorecityschools.org/health-updates

Baltimore City Department of Social Services:

All BCDSS offices will be CLOSED to the public beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 until further notice. BCDSS is offering alternative ways to apply for benefits and to communicate with us.

Apply for our programs online at:
https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us/dashboardClient/#/home for SNAP (Food Stamps), all emergency cash assistance programs, and home energy assistance.
–https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/ for Medical Assistance and health
insurance
–https://mymdthink.maryland.gov/home/#/home for Long Term Care
– To request Emergency Food Assistance, call 410-685-0525.
City residents who do not have Internet access may request a copy of the paper application be sent to them by email, fax or US mail by calling 443-423-6400, or 1-800-332-6347, Monday- Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Social Security Administration: 

Has suspended face-to-face service to the public in field offices and hearings offices nationwide until further notice. You can reach SSA online or by phone only at this time. Visit https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/ for the latest information 

 
Employment Opportunities

Some companies that are hiring or boosting pay in the Baltimore area include: 

 Walmart: In response to strong demand in stores, Walmart plans to hire more than 1,800 people in Maryland to work in stores, clubs, distribution centers and fulfillment centers. It’s part of the retailer’s plans to hire 150,000 nationwide through the end of May. Walmart said it will offer more than $365 million in cash bonuses to every hourly worker employed by the company as of March 1 — $300 for full-time hourly workers and $150 for part-time hourly workers — which will pay out April 2. Walmart also will pay the next scheduled quarterly bonus for workers a month early. Workers can apply at Walmartcareers.com or text “jobs” to 240240. 

Giant Food: Giant is hiring part-time and full-time store clerks, pharmacy technicians, delivery drivers and warehouse workers across the region. Giant, in partnership with union locals representing workers, also announced that effective Sunday through May 2, all current hourly workers in stores and distribution centers will receive a 10 percent increase in pay for hours worked. https://giantfood.com/gf-careers/ 

 Weis Markets: In the Baltimore metro area, Weis has stepped up store-level hiring due to unprecedented demand. Weis is hiring full- and part-time cashiers, stockers and those with retail and department management experience, said Weis Markets spokesman Dennis Curtin. Weis said it began paying its store-level, hourly workers an additional $2 per hour during the COVID-19 crisis. The temporary increase took effect Sunday. Apply: https://jobs.weismarkets.com/jobsearch/ 

Klein’s/ShopRite Supermarkets and Pharmacies: All Klein’s ShopRite stores continue to hire staff and to offer a $2-per-hour premium both to current and new employees. https://shop.shoprite.com/careers 

 Sprouts Farmers Market: Throughout Maryland, Sprouts is filling more than 110 positions in its stores, from hourly part-time roles to management jobs. Candidates can apply online at sprouts.com/careers or by texting “careers” to 480-800-8056. The grocer is not encouraging walk-in applications. 

 Safeway: Safeway is hiring for immediate openings, a spokeswoman said. Job applicants can apply in person at a local store or go online to: albertsonscompanies.com/careers/safeway-careers.html  

Amazon: Amazon said it has 100,000 full-time and part-time fulfillment and delivery jobs available across the U.S., including the 1,500 in Maryland. Workers can start as soon as seven days with no resume or previous work experience required. The minimum pay of $17 an hour includes an additional $2 per hour through April. For more, go to amazon.jobs. 

Dunbar Security Solutions in Hunt Valley has immediate openings for full- and part-time security guard positions in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and Ocean City. The company is looking for 20 people in the Baltimore area and another 20 in Ocean City. 

Qualified candidates must hold a Maryland state-approved security guard license. Dunbar Security Solutions says it offers employees competitive benefits, including health insurance, vision and dental insurance, weekly pay, accrued paid time off, opportunities for advancement and more. 

Dollar General said it plans to hire up to 50,000 employees by the end of April. The discount retail chain currently has more than 16,300 stores in 45 states, including about 20 stores in Greater Baltimore. https://careers.dollargeneral.com/ 

Brightview Senior Living, a company that runs retirement communities in Maryland and seven other states, is hiring temporary, permanent and per-diem jobs that include a wide range of skill sets: nurses and health aides, housekeepers, dining servers, sales, chefs, executive directors

 Resources for Parents or Caregivers Teaching and Caring for Kids at Home:

Live free videos for children:

  • Lunch Doodles– is an online Lunchtime art show with children’s author Mo Willams you can tune in at 1pm ET weekdays 

  • At home cooking club  free videos posted twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm . 

  • Live Feed of aquarium animals at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium 

Free Documentaries and Learning videos

Free online learning games and videos 

  • Younger kids

  • Khan Academy Kids – you can download the app for free too! 

  • ABC Mouse– Early learning website and there is a free 30 day trial available 

  • Older kids

  • Reading specific

  • Progressive Phonics – free progressively sequenced books online or to print out

  • Epic  – free interactive reading for K and older- you just need an invitation by your child’s educator

  • Spanish/ Español 

  • Oh Noah – Learn Spanish with Noah! Videos and games free for children. 

  • Daniel Tiger – Daniel el tigre is a children’s YouTube channel in Spanish

  • Movement /Exercise 

  • Go Noodle fun free videos to help children stay active indoors 

  • Chace dance company  is a YouTube channel of complete Ballet and Contemporary dance classes for kids 

Links to projects that kids can do at home with limited materials

  • Origami projects for all skill levels ( from 3 years old on up to adult ). What’s great about this is that you can work off of a square from ANY recycled piece of paper, decorate it by painting or coloring on it, then fold it in to a creation. Origami is also a great way to teach geometry to kids. 

Mental Health

It is always free and confidential to text Crisis Text Line. Their counselors have the resources to help with any anxiety you may be feeling related to coronavirus. Text SHARE to 741741

Baltimore Neighborhood Quarantine Response Teams

For resources to create your own neighborhood response team please see: COVID-19 Volunteer Support Pack.  For any questions about these resources please contact Celeste Perilla at celesteperilla@gmail.com –If you see your neighborhood you can either sign up to volunteer or sign-up for assistance as a vulnerable person. 

Abell/ Charles Village: Volunteer signup/ Vulnerable persons signup for help

Better Waverly: Volunteer/Vulnerable Signup

Bolton Hill: Bolton Hill/Reservoir Hill Self Quarantine Response Team

Canton & Patterson Park: Volunteer and vulnerable persons signup

Ednor Gardens Lakeside: COVID-19 Volunteer Network Sign-up Ednor Gardens – Lakeside

Greenmount West:  Volunteers / Vulnerable persons  

Hampden:  Volunteer support / vulnerable persons quarantine support 

Hamilton Lauraville: Volunteer Sign Up for Hamilton-Lauraville & surrounding Neighborhoods

Mayfield- mayfieldupdate@gmail.com (refer to Mayfield For All Ages/COVID response in subject line- this email is checked regularly)

Mount Vernon- Volunteer and vulnerable persons signup

Mount Washington- Volunteer Form – https://bit.ly/MtWashingtonVolunteer

Requestor Form – https://bit.ly/MtWashingtonHelp 

Oakenshawe: Volunteer signup / Vulnerable Persons signup for help

Old Goucher/Barclay Volunteer signup / Vulnerable persons quarantine support

Remington Volunteer signup / Vulnerable persons quarantine support

Roland Park Volunteer signup/ Vulnerable Persons Signup for Help 

Southeast Baltimore: Neighbors Helping Neighbors

York Road Partnership & District 4:Volunteer / Vulnerable persons signup for help

Violetville: Volunteer and vulnerable signup

Upton/ Sandtown Winchester: Volunteer signup 

Waverly – volunteer and vulnerable signup: waverlysupport.org.

            Wyman Park: Volunteer signup/ Vulnerable Persons Signup for Help 

Additional Information about COVID-19 

Protecting yourself from COVID-19 

The Center for Disease Control guidelines on how to protect yourself include:

  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that many people come in contact with. These include tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Avoid touching high-contact surfaces in public.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds immediately when you return home from a public place such as the bank or grocery store. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol may be used.

  • Social distancing- When in a public space, put a distance of six feet between yourself and others

  • Stay home if you are sick and contact your doctor.

Depending on the surface COVID- 19 can remain on surfaces for hours to days 

According to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can live in the air and on surfaces between several hours and several days. The study found that the virus is viable for up to 72 hours on plastics, 48 hours on stainless steel, 24 hours on cardboard, and 4 hours on copper. It is also detectable in the air for three hours.

How to clean and disinfect your home 

  • Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.

  • If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

  • For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.

    • If you do not have Lysol or traditional cleaning products diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

      • Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:

        • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or

        • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

    • If possible, do not shake dirty laundry. This will minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.

    • Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. 

We hope this helps! If you have any further questions and/or needs please let us know. Stay strong and stay safe!

Yours in the Movement,

Greater Baltimore Urban League
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