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?

Yes it is. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has confirmed cases across the state of South Carolina. At this time, the risk to residents of South Carolina remains low. 

STAY UPDATED THROUGH THESE WEBSITES:

Community Resources

CITY SPECIFIC 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.

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. Tips on managing mental health during this time. 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.

YMCA OF GREENVILLE IS OFFERING EMERGENCY CHILDCARE  for the children of healthcare workers, first responders + other essential workers facing COVID-19. The program is open to members and non-members of the Y, and is offered Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-7 p.m., at multiple branches now until school is back in session. Cost is $25/day per child; $15/day per additional child in the same family (scholarships available). Click here for more information & to register.

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.

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.

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:

EMERGENCY FOOD INFORMATION LiveWell Greenville and partners worked together to create this spreadsheet of information for Emergency Food Resources organized by regions.

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. Within the same week Senior Action receives required information, the senior can begin receiving meals. 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. Read this information about the WIC & SNAP supplements.

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. They have added drive thru pick-up at our Food Hub. The cash price of boxes are now $10 CASH and only $5 for SNAP/EBT customers! Each box is packed with over $20 of food & a recipe card! Limit ONE box per family. Order by Noon on Friday (while supplies last) the week prior!  Click here to learn more.

GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS MEAL & WI-FI 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.  GCS Also put together an interactive map of where to find Meal, Wi-Fi or both!

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. Here is more information about why donating blood is important right now.

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.

RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYERS:

Protecting our Employees: CDC, OSHA, SHRM, United Way
Mental Health
Other

Ideas for increasing physical activity:

  • Walk outside with family, pets, a good podcast, or the sounds of nature.
  • Taking work-calls walking outside if possible
  • Create a ‘standing desk’ by using a crate, books, kitchen island, etc.
  • Use items around the house as weights and straps (books, canned goods, old shirt) and using YouTube Videos for fitness, or creating your own workout:
  • Example: Yoga with Adrienne– beginner to intermediate yoga workouts for anyone and any occasion.
  • Do yard-work, organize a room, garden and dust your home.
  • Start running. There are several free apps to get your started.
  • Work the stairs for an effective cardio workout.

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. Here is more information about why donating blood is important right now.

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