COVID-19

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CORONAVIRUS DISEASE RESOURCES AND RESPONSE

The COVID-19 situation in the United States is evolving rapidly and as communities across Texas respond to this unprecedented situation, United Way is there to help. United Ways across the state are often involved in disaster recovery and COVID-19 is no different. 

Stay Up-to-date

National
Texas
Local

2-1-1 – As with any community resource related question, Texans with questions about COVID-19 can dial 2-1-1 or (877-541-7905 if calling from a cell phone) and select menu option 6.

9-1-1 - If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Help for Nonprofits

UWT and OneStar Foundation have created this new website as a resource for all Texas nonprofits. For the immediate future, this site will include important information on COVID-19 for Texas nonprofits. Long-term, we will include other information for our sector including information on the Built for Texas economic impact report.

Give Help

United Ways across Texas have individually established COVID-19 relief funds to help support their own unique local community needs during this crisis. The impact on our communities is tremendous and communities will need significant resources to recover. 
 
Below are links to local United Way COVID-19 relief funds throughout the state. Donating directly to one of these allows for those dollars to get into the hands of the community as soon as possible. Thank you for your interest in learning how you can help Texans in need!
(list updated daily)

At the national level, United Way Worldwide established a national fund to complement the efforts of local United Ways.

This fund supports communities struggling in the wake of the new virus, by supporting local United Ways and 2-1-1—the go-to information resource in times of crisis. Every year, 2-1-1 call specialists answer 12 million requests by phone, text, chat and email to connect people with food, housing, utility assistance, health care resources and more. There is no other network in the country with a similar pulse on America’s needs.  So far, some 20 statewide 2-1-1 operations have been activated, and 2-1-1 is working closely with health officials all over the country to provide accurate updates to the public. 

Additional Information

Looking for guidance about how to respond as a school administrator, non-profit or faith-based organization staff member, business owner, or event planner?

The CDC has provided detailed information for different sectors. Click here for more information.

Scam/Fraud Alert

There are reports that a stimulus package may make its way through the legislature at a federal level.

This package could include payments to many Americans via check or direct deposit. Although there are no details, the Federal Trade Commission has already issued guidance to spot potential scams/fraud related to this:

• The government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money. No fees. No charges. No nothing.

• The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who does is a scammer.

Reports of checks aren’t yet a reality. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.

Looking for access to free meals while schools are closed?

Texas parents can now visit the MealFinder Map to find locations near them where local school systems are offering free school meals—both breakfast and lunch—for pick-up while school buildings are closed because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Once parents go to the site, they click “Meal Pick-Up Locations” to bring up a map of locations. Parents can type their address, and the map will zoom into meal pick-up locations that are up and running near them.