COVID-19 | Resources for Faith Communities & The General Public
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR COVID-19-RELATED FUNERAL EXPENSES
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 -related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
- Funeral Assistance FAQ page
- Providing Financial Assistance for COVID-19-Related Funeral Expenses video.
RESOURCES FOR FAITH LEADERS
COVID-19 Recommended Preventive Practices and FAQs for Faith-based and Community Leaders | The Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Resources for Community- and Faith-Based Leaders | CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Recommended Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 in Faith-Based Facilities and Houses of Worship | Illinois Department of Public Health
Coronavirus FAQ for Faith Leaders | Interfaith Center of New York
Resources for Community- and Faith-Based Leaders | CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Recommended Guidance for Preventing Spread of COVID-19 in Faith-Based Facilities and Houses of Worship | Illinois Department of Public Health
Coronavirus FAQ for Faith Leaders | Interfaith Center of New York
INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 (Regularly Updated)
Chi COVID Coach |What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms (City of Chicago)
What to Do If You Are Sick (CDC)
Chicago Department of Public Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What to Do If You Are Sick (CDC)
Chicago Department of Public Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COVID-19 TESTING SITES
City of Chicago Testing Sites
Cook County Department of Public Health Testing Sites
Illinois Department of Public Health testing sites
Cook County Department of Public Health Testing Sites
Illinois Department of Public Health testing sites
RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH
NAMI COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide | NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness)
NAMI Chicago Helpline | Call 311 (in Chicago) or directly at 833-626-4244 to speak with a counselor
Bright Star Community Outreach's Trauma Outreach Counseling helpline at 833-TURN-123
NAMI Chicago Helpline | Call 311 (in Chicago) or directly at 833-626-4244 to speak with a counselor
Bright Star Community Outreach's Trauma Outreach Counseling helpline at 833-TURN-123
ASSISTANCE WITH MEALS AND OTHER NECESSITIES
The Chicago Department of Public Health has identified the following for residents seeking assistance with meals or other necessities:
- Children and teens who are food vulnerable have access to meals and food boxes via Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Archdiocese of Chicago. For CPS Grab and Go Meal Sites, visit: https://schoolinfo.cps.edu/mealdistributionsites/index.html?timePeriod=postspring/. Children and teens who are in quarantine because they tested positive, were exposed to someone who tested positive, or have symptoms, are able to request a meal delivery by calling the CPS Hotline at 773-553-KIDS (5437).
- Adults who are food vulnerable should continue to utilize the existing food pantry system. The Food Depository is Chicago’s food bank, serving a network of hundreds of food pantries and similar programs. Anyone who needs food and can access a food pantry – or knows someone who can visit a food pantry for them – should visit www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/ or call 773-247-3663 to find the food pantry nearest to them. Residents should call the food pantry in advance to ensure hours of operations.
- Adults 19-59 who are in quarantine because they tested positive, were exposed to someone who tested positive, or have symptoms, who need direct food deliveries and do not qualify for existing food support services can go to 311.chicago.gov, download CHI311 mobile app or call 3-1-1 to submit a request. The Salvation Army will provide these emergency meal box deliveries, typically within 72 hours.
- The City of Chicago is working with mRelief to support SNAP and food assistance programs by making information and updates about the SNAP program more available to the public, including SNAP eligibility for residents. Residents can find out if they are eligible for SNAP by filling out this questionnaire.
- The broader senior community that do not have alternate food sources are encouraged to contact the Department of Family and Support Services' call center at 312.746 (Monday through Friday) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the Meals on Wheels Program. These seniors will receive a weekly meal delivery of six meals to their home. Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) senior residents 60 and over can also contact CHA’s emergency services.
- The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) has directed retailers to help support access to groceries and shopping, with more local grocery store chains stepping up and providing special hours for seniors to shop.
- The Greater Chicago Food Depository has a network of 700 partner agencies and programs, almost all of which remain open. These sites are modifying their distributions to promote social distancing, including offering pre-packaged boxes of groceries. The Food Depository’s benefits outreach team can also help you apply for SNAP and Medicaid and make referrals for other public benefits. You can call their hotline at 773-843-5416 for a free confidential interview Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- The Salvation Army’s 19 Chicagoland food pantries remain open to provide curbside service and will continue to serve as a resource for anyone who needs assistance. In addition, the Salvation Army is prepared to serve individuals who are in shelters or quarantine/isolation, as well as first responders. For more information on emergency assistance, call 773-725-1100 or visit salarmychicago.org/coronavirus.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
Serve Illinois, a bi-partisan commission appointed by the Governor and administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), lists opportunities to volunteer or request volunteers in response to COVID-19 across the state.
Volunteers to help with the medical response COVID-19 can register at Illinois Helps, an Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals .
The City of Chicago is asking students and anyone interested in working in the medical or public health setting, regardless of experience, to work as Medical Assistants and Nurses in the City's COVID-19 efforts. Employment information is available here.
Volunteers to help with the medical response COVID-19 can register at Illinois Helps, an Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals .
The City of Chicago is asking students and anyone interested in working in the medical or public health setting, regardless of experience, to work as Medical Assistants and Nurses in the City's COVID-19 efforts. Employment information is available here.
OPPORTUNITIES TO DONATE
The State of Illinois is collecting much needed personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies for first responders during the COVID-19 outbreak
Get Us PPE matches donors of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the frontline medical workers who need them. It also accepts donations to help purchase needed equipment.
The Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund (ICRF) is a new statewide fundraising effort to support nonprofit organizations serving those whose lives have been upended by this pandemic. The United Way of Illinois and Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations are operating the new fund, separately and independently from the State of Illinois.
The American Red Cross needs healthy individuals to donate blood. Enter your zip code and find a place to donate.
The CPS Compassion Fund for COVID-19 Closures (coordinated by the Children First Fund, the Chicago Public Schools Foundation) provides direct emergency relief for families facing extenuating circumstances.
Get Us PPE matches donors of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the frontline medical workers who need them. It also accepts donations to help purchase needed equipment.
The Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund (ICRF) is a new statewide fundraising effort to support nonprofit organizations serving those whose lives have been upended by this pandemic. The United Way of Illinois and Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations are operating the new fund, separately and independently from the State of Illinois.
The American Red Cross needs healthy individuals to donate blood. Enter your zip code and find a place to donate.
The CPS Compassion Fund for COVID-19 Closures (coordinated by the Children First Fund, the Chicago Public Schools Foundation) provides direct emergency relief for families facing extenuating circumstances.
