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COVID 19 Updates

Updated April 7, 2020

Join us on Zoom every weekday to answer questions you have regarding resources to help during the COVID 19 pandemic.  

 

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/163028328

Meeting ID: 163 028 328
 

Here's the daily schedule of Facebook posts to bring some normalcy, local information and hopefully a bit of fun

7:00 AM - daily at home fitness - fun and easy to get you going

8:00 AM -  musical playlist for your day from Spotify - doo wop to opera, BeachBoys to barbershop

9:00 AM - news from Hub partners and the community

10:00 AM - daily dose of smartness - things worth knowing

1:00 PM - community and partner information

2:00 PM- take just a few moments for self care

3:00 PM - more important local resources

3:30 PM - video series from Compass Mark for teens - confidence, stress management, resiliency, etc.

4:00 PM - the arts allow us to see beauty in life - sculpture, photography, dance, painting, stained glass

7:00 PM - another edition of info from Hub partners and the community

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Ephrata Area School District

Meal Pick Up

Dates: April 2 and April 7

Locations: High School, Clay Elementary, Fulton Elementary

Times: 10 AM-1 PM

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Children do not need to be present

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FOOD​

  • There has been talk about food not being safe.  This is from the PA Department of Agriculture: 

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  • Ephrata Area Social Services is OPEN.  You must make an appointment to pick up food.  All food is prepackaged and is drive up only.  Call 717.733.0345.  Meals on Wheels is also still operating. If you would like to volunteer to drive for this program, please call them to offer your services.

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  • Sheetz is offering a free Kidz Meal Bagz to all children starting APRIL 2.  It includes a turkey sandwich, chips and a drink.  It is available at all nearby Sheetz locations.  For a wider geography, check here.

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  • The WIC program at the CAP office in the Community Commons is CLOSED.  CAP is recommending all clients go to the Lancaster office for services.  If you are in need of food and cannot get to the Lancaster office, please stop by Ephrata Area Social Services at 227 North State Street.

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  • The state decided to begin online liquor sales because the brick and mortar liquor stores have been closed.  The website has been overwhelmed so keep checking back.

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HEALTH​

  • The Governor is encouraging everyone to stay home and if you must go out to wear a mask.

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  • WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital is encouraging anyone with COVID 19 symptoms to use their online assessment tool.  They have also committed that people will not pay out of pocket for COVID 19 testing or treatment.

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  • If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please text PA to 741741.  This is a service that has been set up by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

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  • If you or someone you know needs to enter recovery, please call The RASE Project 717.232.8535, a Lancaster based non-profit that helps place people in recovery and helps those in recovery. 

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  • Johns Hopkins has extensive material, including an interactive map, on COVID 19

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HOUSING/UTILITIES

  • ​The state Attorney General announced yesterday that people cannot be evicted for non-payment of rent during the state emergency.  Read the press release here.

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  • For those who receive electricity through Ephrata Borough, they announced: "For the next thirty days we will discontinue our practice of utility disconnections; and, effective March 16, 2020, all new penalties and the accrual of additional penalties will be suspended." If you have questions, you are urged to call the Borough 717.738.9221

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  • Utility assistance applications and 30-day income documents can be dropped off at the Lancaster City office for CAP at 601 S. Queen St., faxed to 717-286-0379 or emailed to ontrack@caplanc.org . You may also apply online at caplanc.org/utilities.

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  • If you or someone you know is or will be experiencing homelessness, please call CHART (Community Homeless Assessment and Referral Team) @ 717.397.5182 option #3.  This service is through Tabor. They are experts at knowing what programs people may qualify for based on the information you provide.

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  • Our partners at Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership are still working hard to help with any landlord or tenant concerns you may have.  Call them at 717.299.7840

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EDUCATION​

  • Public television stations across Pennsylvania have teamed up to create a Learning at Home program with educational videos, activities and games. 

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  • Schools across Pennsylvania are CLOSED for the remainder of the school year per the Governor's order on March 30.

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CHILD CARE

  • There are OPEN child care centers in the area.  Use this guide to find them.  Note: please check this frequently as centers may close with little notice.

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TRANSPORTATION

  • The Hub Shuttle will suspend normal operations.  If you need to get prescriptions or go to the doctor, please call Ephrata Area Social Services to schedule a van pickup.  717.733.0345

 

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BUSINESS/JOBS​/FINANCES

  • The Governor announced grants to small businesses facing hardships due to COVID 19. There are also decreased restrictions for unemployment making it easier to apply and receive checks quicker.

  • Our partners at Tabor Community Services are available to help with financial counseling questions you have.  Call 717.358.9364 to schedule an appointment 

 

 

COMMUNITY​

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  • Law enforcement is acting to enforce the stay at home mandate by the Governor.  For a detailed list of the reasons you can leave your home and how to report a business that is remaining open that is not life-sustaining - read this.

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  • If you would like to help:

    • WellSpan Health - donate supplies, donate blood, need for retired clinicians​

 

  • Important numbers

    • Child Abuse Hotline in PA- 1.800.932.0313​

    • Domestic Violence for Lancaster County - 717.299.9677

    • Mental Health Crisis - Text PA to 741741

    • Sexual Assault Hotline - 1.800.656.4673

    • Adult Protective Services - 1.800.490.8505

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  • VITA is closed.  Federal and state tax filing dates have been pushed back until June 15. VITA is planning to reopen to help people complete their taxes.  Updates on when they will reopen will be posted here​

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  • The primary elections that were scheduled for April 28 have been moved to June 2.​​

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  • Because there is so much information coming out so quickly, check out this Lancaster County resource that includes everything from the primary to cancellations to updated science and the halt of evictions.​​​​​

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  • All other previously scheduled in person programs and events at the Community Commons through May 31st have been postponed or rescheduled.

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Click on the image for information on job skills and training.

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