MetroWest (Concord/Carlisle/Acton/Chemlsford) Mutual Aid virus response resources, how to help, etc

Source State Rep Tami Gouveia, more info or to thank her: tami.gouveia@mahouse.gov

The link above had the following info 3/18, 8:23 pm. For later updates, check link above. Live links for orgs, can be found at the link above.

Ways You Can Help

OpenTable has run food drives to increase their supplies during this crisis. Follow them on social media or check out their website to see upcoming donation opportunities. https://www.opentable.org Pantry Service is OPEN! As of Tuesday, March 17th, Open Table will be implementing “drive-thru” pantry service. Guests arriving by other means of transportation (walking, biking, etc) will, of course, also be served. Guests should keep their regular appointments during these times. Our pantry will be open during regular operating hours (we will be open rain or shine!):

Tuesday 1:00-6:30 pm
Thursday 3:00-6:30 pm

Drive-Thru Plan

Pantry distribution will be available in the Maynard Municipal Parking Lot located between Summer Street and Main Street. Please enter from Summer Street (across from the Fine Arts Theater). Guests will remain in their cars; volunteers will load pre-packed bags into the cars. Please do your best to arrive at your standard time; if you arrive early you may be asked to park in an area municipal lot and return at your appointment time.

Donate blood: the Red Cross if facing a severe blood shortage during the COVID-19 outbreak. If you are healthy, please schedule a time to give blood: https://www.redcrossblood.org/

General Questions and Concerns Related to COVID-19

For general information and updates about state action, visit the Mass DPH website. https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

For additional assistance or questions, you can call 211. https://mass211.org/ Once you choose a language, dial 26 to access the COVID-19 information line. Other dial options provide information and referrals about other critical resources and needs.

You can also visit the Mass 211 web page: https://mass211.org/

We recommend signing up for town alerts and following local leaders to stay up-to-date on local actions.

Acton
Town of Acton’s website https://www.acton-ma.gov/ and subscribe to Town text/email alerts https://www.acton-ma.gov/list.aspx?Mode=Subscribe#alertCenter

Acton Public Schools’ website Follow the Superintendent https://www.abschools.org/

Carlisle
Town of Carlisle’s website https://www.carlislema.gov/
and subscribe to text/email alerts https://www.carlislema.gov/List.aspx

Carlisle Public Schools’ website
Follow the Superintendent: @CarlislePreK_8

Chelmsford
Town of Chelmsford’s website and subscribe to Town text/email alerts
Chelmsford Town socials for live updates: @Chelmsford_MA
Chelmsford Public Schools’ website
Follow the Superintendent: @ChelmsfordPS

Concord
Town of Concord’s COVID-19 website and subscribe to Town text/email alerts
Follow Concord Town socials for live updates: @TownofConcord
Concord Public Schools’ website
Follow the Superintendent: @cps_cchs

Support for Seniors

Carlisle Council on Aging: 978-371-2895. Staff are available to answer questions and provide certain non-essential forms of assistance.

Concord Council on Aging: (978) 318-3020. While the COA is closed, COA staff are able to discuss a variety of topics including social service needs, assistance in gathering supplies, potential grocery delivery desires and any other personal or family needs one may have.

Acton Senior Center: 978-929-6652. While the COA is closed, staff are available to answer questions and provide assistance. Additionally, the Senior Center is providing pre-packaged lunches to Acton seniors in lieu of their usual congregate meals. Call 781-221-7085 to learn more.

Chelmsford Senior Center: 978-251-0533. Staff are available to answer questions and provide certain non-essential forms of assistance.

Insurance Coverage

Health Care For All’s HelpLine will remain operational to help residents who are applying for insurance coverage or who have questions about their health insurance benefits. Please call 1-800-272-4232 and their team can assist you in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Apply for insurance coverage. The HealthConnector is holding open enrollment from now until April 25th, 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The application for the HealthConnector marketplace will also check you/your family’s eligibility for MassHealth. Apply online here.

Food

Ferns Country Store is offering free delivery of food, medicine and essential supplies to all residents in Carlisle while supplies last. Proprietor The store is putting together a breakfast/lunch/dinner menu for delivery starting March 14. Call during business hours (1-978-369-0200) to place an order. Payment will be accepted by credit card over the phone, and items will be delivered to door steps only, to eliminate human to human contact for all.

Open Table is providing their food pantry services to Acton, Carlisle, Chelmsford, and Concord residents in need via a drive through set-up during the pandemic. Hours are Tuesday’s from 1:00-6:30 pm to and Thursday’s form 3:00-6:30. Up-to-date information can be found on their website here.

Acton Council of Aging is offering pre-packaged lunches to Acton Seniors in lieu of their usual congregate meals. Call 781-221-7085.

If you or a loved one needs food assistance, you can call the FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333) for a referral to food services and/or assistance with SNAP applications. Hotline hours are Monday- Friday: 8am - 7pm and Saturday: 10am - 2pm. Counselors can assist callers in 160 languages and there is a dedicated line to assist hearing-impaired individuals at TTY: 1-800-377-1292

Concord-Carlisle Regional High School will have pre-packaged meals available for pick-up for all Concord-Carlisle students and families in need (no eligibility requirements). Students/families should arrive at the high school between 8:30am-11am and line up in their cars. PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE BUILDING. An attendant will ask you to pop your trunk or rear door and place the bag of food in your vehicle.

Housing and Utilities

Acton, Carlilse and Chelmsford residents can access fuel assistance and heating system repair and rental assistance through Community Teamwork Inc hotlines and staff email.

For fuel assistance/heating repair, call or email: 978-459-6161 / FuelAssistance@commteam.org

For rental assistance call or email: 978-654-5726 / CTIRentalAssistance@commteam.org

FYI: The Department of Public Utilities issued a moratorium to suspend all shut-offs of gas and electric utilities, including Municipal Light and Gas Plants, for residential customers during the state of emergency.

Other Basic Needs
Acton, Carlisle and Chelmsford residents can reach out to Community Teamwork Inc.’s General Emergency Resource Center hotline: 978-654-5607.

Consumer Protection

The Attorney General’s office has resources for consumers to report scams and file complaints of unfair and deceptive business practices. Visit their website for all resources.

Unemployment or Loss of Work

Apply for unemployment assistance online.
Important: given the COVID-19 pandemic, workers are eligible to receive assistance in new circumstances. In addition to normal qualifying circumstances you are eligible for unemployment during this pandemic under the follow circumstances:

“A worker is quarantined due to an order by a civil authority or medical professional”
“Leaves employment due to reasonable risk of exposure or infection OR to care for a family member. The worker need not provide medical documentation and need only be available for work when and as able.”
Part-time or full-time employees impacted by a temporary workplace shutdown. To remain eligible in this circumstance, workers must:
remain in contact with their employers during the shutdown.
be available for any work their employer may have for them that they are able to do.

Employers who have been paying into the unemployment system for themselves (are receiving a W-2) and have a temporary workplace shutdown.

Independent contractors and the self-employed currently DO NOT qualify. However, if the President declares a Disaster Unemployment Declaration for Massachusetts or nationwide, the self-employed and 1099 recipients (independent contractors) would become eligible for unemployment assistance.

Additional unemployment assistance guidelines and expanded eligibility may be developed by the state and federal government.

Small Businesses
Look at eligibility and/or apply to a small business loan here: https://www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org/what-we-offer/emergency-loan-funds/covid-19-loan-fund

Other Resources
Massport Traveler Advisory: Anyone with questions about travel should consult this continuously updated portal, available here.
Emergency Responders and Law Enforcement: CDC-issued guidance for all first responders, including law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, and emergency management officials, who anticipate close contact with persons with confirmed or possible COVID-19 in the course of their work can be found here.

Businesses & Employers: CDC-issued guidance for employers to help prevent workplace exposures to illnesses and planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COnVID-19, which can be found here.