Updates

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. The disease it causes has been named “Coronavirus Disease 2019” (COVID-19). Stopping the spread of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy. Symptoms may range from mild to severe and are similar to a cold or influenza. They include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Who is at risk?

Of the current known cases, children appear to be the least at risk.  Those most at risk are the elderly, immunocompromised, or adults with certain pre-existing conditions. More information on COVID-19, such as prevention, treatment, and how it is spread, is available on the  Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.

Is COVID-19 active in South Carolina?

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has identified both confirmed and presumptive cases across the state of South Carolina. DHEC continues to be in communication with state agencies and community partners. The CDC keeps current (updated weekdays at noon) a map tracking confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. on the CDC website.

STAY UPDATED THROUGH THESE WEBSITES:

Community Resources

RESOURCES:

ALIANZA HISPANA Información para protegerse y prevenir el coronavirus. Recursos para toda la comunidad. Haga click aquí. Cómo prevenir el coronavirus, lista de lugares que ofrecerán almuerzos gratis para los niños, dónde acudir si cree que tiene síntomas del virus,¡y mucho más! Actualizaremos la información y agregaremos recursos diariamente. Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame al 864-256-0760.

UNITED WAY 2-1-1 SERVICE LINE We have expanded our 2-1-1 hotline, now available 24/7 to direct those in need to information and resources regarding where to find food, shelter, access to healthcare and transportation. Simply dial 2-1-1 to get connected.

CITY OF GREENVILLE RESOURCE GUIDE The City of Greenville has released a resource guide detailing updated services and discounts offered by local restaurants and service providers. This includes curbside and delivery options for food, as well as discounts and free services. Click here to learn more.

UPSTATE INFORMATION REPOSITORY Ten at the Top is working with local entities to compile and maintain a repository of links to information individuals, businesses and institutions may need regarding the latest cancellations, available community resources and health information. Click here for the Upstate COVID-19 Information Repository.

SC DEPARTMENT ON AGING COVID-19 Resources for seniors.

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA SERVICES Mental Health America’s CRISISline (864-271-8888) and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) are answering calls 24/7. They also have a free, confidential, online mental health screening available. Click here to learn more.

NAMI  has created a guide for national, local and online Mental Health Resources available. Click here.

HOMELESSNESS RESOURCE HUB Greenville Homeless Alliance has created a Facebook group to serve as an updated source of information about resources and organizations serving those experiencing homelessness in our community. Click here to learn more or join the group.

INTERNET & UTILITIES OFFERS:

SPECTRUM WI-FI PROGRAM Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 students who do not already have a Spectrum subscription. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees waived for new student households. Confirm terms with provider.

AT&T TEMPORARY FREE INTERNET FOR FAMILIES
• Two months of free service to new Access customers who order by April 30, 2020. $5/mo or $10/mo thereafter, depending on your speed.
• Expanding eligibility based on income & to households participating in National School Lunch Program/Head Start
• Waiving all home internet data overage fees
Click here to learn more about AT&T’s COVID-19 response.

Household income based on 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines

DUKE ENERGY & PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS  take new steps to help customers, communities and employees in wake of COVID-19. Click here to learn more

U-HAUL SELF-STORAGE U-Haul is offering 30 days of free self-storage to college students who have been impacted by schedule changes. Find the location nearest you here.

VIRTUAL HEALTH SCREENINGS:

Several South Carolina health systems are offering telehealth options to the public. These options are available to anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms in South  Carolina. In order to access the free consult, use the promo code COVID19.

Sandhills Medical Foundation Inc. is offering telephone screening. Depending on the results, you may be scheduled to visit a drive-thru testing site in Camden. Call 1- 877-529-4339 to register, for appropriate screening and instructions. Phone lines are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.

Self Regional Healthcare is offering telephone screening for residents in Greenwood, Laurens, Edgefield, Abbeville, McCormick, Saluda, and Newberry counties. Call the COVID-19 Screening Line at (864) 725-4200.

Source: SCDHEC 

DRIVE THRU CORONAVIRUS TESTING Hospitals across SC are offering drive-thru testing for anyone who is showing symptoms of the virus or has been in contact with someone who is positive for the virus. Click here to learn more.

FOOD:

SENIOR ACTION, INC.
Senior Action, Inc. is providing a daily meal for anyone registered in their meal program. If someone is not in the meal program but would like to begin receiving meals, they should call 864-467-3660 or email info@senioraction.org to get more information on how to qualify for this program. The senior can begin receiving meals within the week once Senior Action has their information. Participants must be at least 60 years old and have reliable transportation to pick up their meal, which could include someone they designate to pick up.Meals are distributed at the following locations from 11:30 a.m.- 12 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday & Fridays. Participants receive a hot meal plus a frozen meal on Mondays and Wednesdays and a hot meal on Fridays.

  1. Orchard Park | 50 Directors Drive Greenville, SC 29615
  2. Berea Community Center | 6 Hunts Bridge Road Greenville, SC 29617
  3. Needmore Center | 203 Canteen Ave. Greer, SC 29650
  4. Pleasant Valley Connection | 510 Old Augusta Road Greenville, SC 29605
  5. Slater-Marietta Community Center | 5 Whitney St. Slater, SC 29683

DSS ANNOUNCES EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENT FOR SNAP HOUSEHOLDS
These will take effect on March 28, 2020. click here to learn more.

MILL VILLAGE FARMS EMERGENCY FOOD FUND
Starting April 8th, we are distributing FoodShare boxes every week (vs. bi-weekly) to meet the increased demand for families needing food at our FoodHub and at over 24 partner locations across Greenville County. We are relocating our operations to a larger distribution warehouse and ensuring our food suppliers can deliver. We are adding drive thru pick-up at our Food Hub. Beginning April 8th, we are reducing the nominal cost for these food boxes to provide immediate relief for families from $15 to $5 (Cash or EBT) for $35 of good, healthy food for our neighbors in need. Click here to learn more. Here is a printable flyer in English & Spanish.

GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS MEAL PROGRAM
During Greenville County Schools’ closure, the following sites will be providing breakfast and lunch: TR High, Berea Elementary, AJ Whittenberg Elementary, Welcome Elementary, Grove Elementary, Sue Cleveland Elementary, Sterling School, Blue Ridge Middle, Wade Hampton High, JL Mann High, Mauldin High, Hillcrest High, Eastside High, Greer High and Fountain Inn Elementary. Beginning Thursday, March 19, both lunch and breakfast for the next day will be distributed between 10 a.m. – noon. A large number of buses will also be deployed beginning that day to distribute meals across the community—click here for a full list of sites. Meals will be provided to all children aged 18 or younger, or special needs adults 21 and younger. Children are not required to be enrolled in Greenville County Schools, but must be present for pickup. For the latest Greenville County Schools information, click here.

LOCAL RESTAURANTS OFFERING MEALS FOR CHILDREN:

Anthony’s Pizzeria
655 Fairview Rd # A, Simpsonville
Free slice to kids during weekdays from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. while schools are closed. Just mention the kid’s Facebook special.

Arizona Handcrafted Fare and Drink Co.
3952 Grandview Dr, Simpsonville
Open for to-go and curbside pick-up only from 12 p.m- 2 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Call 864-962-1700 to place an order and add a meal for kids. They will offer a “meal of the day” for the kids, which will range from grilled cheeses, to chicken tenders, to burgers, and anything in between.

Armando’s Burritos
206 A Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville
Free kids meals 2 p.m.-5 p.m. each weekday while schools are closed. No purchase necessary. Dine in or to-go available.

Eggs Up Grill (all five Upstate locations)

    • McAlister Square 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville
    • 1939 Woodruff Road, Greenville
    • 3935 Pelham Road, Greenville
    • 5844 Reidville Road, Moore
    • 10919 Anderson Road, Piedmont

** Call to verify: Free meals to kids from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. No purchase necessary and good for dine-in or takeout.

Farm Fresh Fast
860 S. Church St., Greenville
Free meals for all kids. Partner farms, Sharon Hill Farm and Trail Place Farm are helping by donating chicken and beef.
(They are seeking donations of time, money and products as well. Contact Jonathan through messenger or at the restaurant, 864-518-1976.)

Golden Brown & Delicious
147 Welborn St Suite B1, Greenville
Offering free brown-bag lunches for children and families who have been adversely affected by this pandemic

Holy Molli
2500 Winchester Place, Spartanburg
Free meals for kids for the rest of March.

Mojo’s
21 Plaza Dr., Travelers Rest
Free kids meals from 11a.m. – 2 p.m. every weekday for the time being. They’ also offer delivery via DoorDash and with no-contact delivery.

Northwest Grill
13045 Old White Horse Rd, Travelers Rest
One free kids’ meal per child per day from 11 a.m. -2 p.m. You could call ahead for curbside pickup.

Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill
8595 Pelham Rd, Greenville
Free kids meals to kids between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Tipsy Taco (all six Upstate locations)

    • 215 Pelham Road b206, Greenville
    • 14180 E Wade Hampton Blvd, Greer
    • 15 Conestee Ave, Greenville
    • 702 Fairview Rd #104, Simpsonville
    • 1133 Woodruff Rd, Greenville

Free old school taco and a side of rice to any school-age child 11 a.m. – 1 p.m on weekdays.

Tony’s Pizza & Subs
304 Fairview St., Fountain Inn
Free Personal Pan Pizzas to any school-age child affected by the school closings 11 a.m. – 1 pm.  weekdays, for the next two weeks. No purchase necessary.

Tropical Grille (all six Upstate locations)

    • 215 Pelham Rd, Greenville
    • 3093 SC-14, Greer
    • 108 N Main St, Mauldin
    • 25 Rolling Hills Cir, Easley
    • 21 S Main St, Greenville
    • 1628 Woodruff Rd, Greenville

Free kids bowl for any child 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. weekdays. No purchase necessary, but child must be present. Drive-thru and to-go option are both available.

White Duck Taco Shop
1320 Hampton Ave., Suite 12B
One taco per day, per child (any age) Tuesday – Friday.

Wilhelmina’s Kitchen 
5928 Hwy 187, Anderson
Free lunch to school aged kids Tuesday-Friday (10:30 AM – 12:30 PM). No purchase necessary. Child must be present.

Young’s Cafe 
900 S Mechanic St #1815, Pendleton
Free kids’ meals starting March 16, from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. through the end of March.Curbside pickup is available.

Sources: Greenville News, Fox Carolina

How you can help

VOLUNTEER OR DONATE:

The Blood Connection or the American Red Cross need help reducing the current severe blood shortage. Make an appointment with  to donate blood and help save a life.

Greenville County Animal Care need help fostering animals.

Harvest Hope Food Bank is adjusting its services to implement social distancing and moving their emergency food pantry services outdoors. Harvest Hope Food Bank is looking for volunteers to help with the shift. You can also support them from home with a monetary donation or make a donation of non-perishable food items using their Amazon Wishlist.

Loaves & Fishes also accepts Amazon shipments of non-perishable food items to their location.

Meals on Wheels of Greenville is looking for meal delivery volunteers to assist with contactless deliveries Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. They’re also looking for volunteers to “adopt a route” or call clients on non-delivery weekdays. For details, contact their Volunteer Services Team. Residents interested in volunteering can also stay up-to-date on local opportunities through the United Way of Greenville County’s Hands on Greenville webpage.

Mill Village Farms have started an Emergency Food Fund to give healthy food boxes to families in need.

United Way of Greenville County, the Community Foundation of Greenville, the F.W. Symmes Foundation, Hollingsworth Funds, John I Smith Foundation, and the Jolley Foundation have launched the COVID-19 Community Relief Fund to assist Greenville County’s most vulnerable neighbors with the resources they need during this critical time.The COVID-19 Community Relief Fund will focus on supporting local nonprofit organizations working in areas identified as having high numbers of affected individuals, and those who are working with the most vulnerable populations in these areas to help respond to the physical health, mental health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

How to LiveWell At Home

It can be challenging to work from home, be full-time parent and now full-time educator. Here are 7 ways to make it easier:

  1. Schedule Create a block schedule. This will help kids transition back to school schedules as well.
  2. Books/ Reading Those workbooks that have been collecting dust…time to start using them! Start a reading challenge or book club, and use online learning resources to keep kids learning.
  3. Crafts This is a great time to create together or even get kids involved in home improvements!
  4. Outdoor Play Social Distancing does not mean staying inside. Build in outdoor physical activity breaks. The best practice recommendation is a total of 60min/ day for most children. This can be broken up into many breaks and help keep families happy and healthy!
  5. Life Skills Use this time to teach children about money (budget, finances, savings, etc.) faith, home skills (cooking, cleaning, car maintenance, gardening, etc.), mailing letters, etc. There are many skills they do not learn in school and most families struggle to find the time to practice these skills together–now is the perfect time!
  6. Emotional & Mental Well-being Teach children about the importance of self-care, routines, mindfulness and time-management. This time-period can be a perfect opportunity to role-model positive coping behaviors that will be helpful throughout life.
  7. Volunteer This is a time that can be difficult for many. You can work as a family to help and support your neighbors, and others. Host virtual hang-outs, share food and home supplies, offer to do grocery shopping for  elderly or immunocompromised neighbors.

FREE EDUCATIONAL & RECREATION RESOURCES

If you have more information that should be added to this page, please contact Matina!

Email Matina