COVID-19 Community Resources

Updated 6/23/21: MFHS is collecting information about programs across Northeast Pennsylvania that offer help to those in need. During the coronavirus pandemic, we know that many in our community could use a helping hand with things like food, housing, healthcare, mental health services, and more. We hope this resource guide will be helpful as we all navigate the changes that covid-19 has brought to NEPA. We will continue to update this page with current information throughout this crisis.

General Help

PA statewide support line – 1-855-284-2494. For TTY, dial 724-631-5600. Pennsylvania has launched a new resource for those who are struggling and need assistance. The human services department has partnered with the Center for Community Resources, a crisis and call center provider based in Butler County. Staffers are trained to help those with a variety of special needs.
PA 211 Northeast – PA 2‑1‑1 Northeast is part of the national 2‑1‑1 Call Centers initiative designed to provide an easy-to-remember telephone number, chat, text, and a web resource for finding health and human services information for everyday needs and crisis situations. PA 211 is provided by Family Service Association in NEPA.
PA 211 East – Pennsylvania 211 East is a free, confidential, non-emergency, comprehensive information and referral service that connects Berks, Carbon, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton, and Schuylkill county residents with the health and human services they need.
PA 211 Southeast – PA 2-1-1 Southeast serves the greater Philadelphia area, including Bucks and Montgomery Counties.
National Diaper Bank Network – Get connected to local diaper banks if you are having trouble finding or affording diapers.
Educational Opportunity Centers, Inc. – EOC is now conducting all appointments virtually. There is a calendar of upcoming virtual events on their website. They are still offering 1:1 appointments for FAFSA, College Admissions, Resume, and tutoring.
CDC Breastfeeding Guidance – Advice for pregnant and breastfeeding women during the covid-19 pandemic.
Pocono United Way Covid-19 Resources – Links to local resources in the Poconos.
Neighborly – a website with a searchable collection of local resources across Pennsylvania.
Good Night with Dolly – Dolly Parton reads bedtime stories for children every week from her Imagination Library on YouTube.
United Way of Lehigh Valley – List of local resources for those dealing with covid-19.
Pets – If you need help feeding your pets and live in Luzerne, Lackawanna or surrounding counties in NEPA, PAWsitively for the Animals can help.
Contact them at pawsitivelyfortheanimals@gmail.com for more information!
Discover NEPA resources guide – Discover NEPA has partnered with a variety of local chambers of commerce to link to resources to help our community.
WIC Community Services Brochure – A list of community services given to each WIC participant. The brochure is also available in Spanish.
Tips for talking to families about Coronavirus – The following resources offer tips for families including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care, and activities for young children experiencing social distancing
Talking to Children about COVID-19:
- Children’s Comic – This comic explains COVID-19 in a child friendly way and with illustrations – https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus
- Talking to kids about Coronavirus – This article from the Child Mind Institute talks about how to have a conversation with your child about COVID-19 – https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
ABC Mouse – Free for 30 days — 10 Levels. Over 850 Lessons. More than 9,000 Individual Learning Activities
Live Science – Activities and online resources for homebound kids: A coronavirus guide. Stuck at home with the kids because of coronavirus? Here’s a list of educational and entertaining activities to keep them occupied.
The Educators Spin on it – Stuck at Home? Here are 30+ great Virtual Field Trips for early learners to explore from your home on your couch. From zoos and landmarks to famous museums, you can explore the world with your child with over a month of virtual field trips!

Food

WIC Temporary Added Food Due to Covid-19 – a list of foods that have been temporarily added to the WIC program due to covid-19.
Keystone Mission and the Weinberg Food Bank (CEO) will provide emergency bags of food for families, individuals or seniors who are in need and have been directly impacted by the COVID-19. Examples may be loss of a job, unable to work and provide for family or those who are unable to support themselves or their families. Emergency food bags are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the nonprofit located at 8 W. Olive St. in Scranton, Lackawanna County. Only one bag may be picked up per week Keystone Mission also seeks donations of perishable and nonperishable foods and brown paper grocery bags. Donations are accepted Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The organization is not accepting clothing donations at this time. For details , contact 570-871–4795 x409 or distributions@keystonemission.org.
The Pike County Area Agency on Aging will be operating its Home Delivered Meals program from the Blooming Grove Senior Center and Lackawaxen Senior Center for meal distribution and pick up only. Pike County AAA staff are contacting any congregate consumers who may be in need of nutrition services or other services in this time period. The AAA main number: 570-775-5550 is the contact for any senior who is in need of nutrition services in this period of closure.
East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church in Monroe County is now offering a Community Meal (83 S. Courtland St. E. Stroudsburg) 2:30 pm-4:30 pm Monday-Friday for homeless individuals and others in need. Homeless clients will be able to eat their meals in the church gym. Their seating will be spaced apart to allow for social distancing. Other non-homeless individuals will be able to pick up their meals to go.
Susquehanna County Commissioners and the Department of Public Safety, along with a number of various agencies and churches, want to be sure that Susquehanna County residents that are in need of food know to please either call 211 or refer to the Susquehanna County Covid-19 Webpage. The most recent information regarding the locations of the food pantries along with other opportunities can be found at these resources. Some of these locations do require a call to register ahead of time. There are also links to various other informational sites that can assist our residents.
United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA is providing meals for seniors in Lackawanna County. UNC Active Older Adult Centers are distributing seven take-home meals to ensure seniors have a meal for every day of the week while restrictions are in place to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Individuals age 60 and older who live in Lackawanna County are eligible.
Sweet Valley Church of Christ Mobile Food Pantry – Hosted on the first Friday of every month in coordination with CEO for Luzerne County residents.
Sheetz Meals for Kids – Sheetz locations will be providing a bag lunch with a turkey sandwich for any children in need. Participating locations in the MFHS service area include: Leesport, Shavertown, Plains Township, Schuylkill Haven, Dunmore, Clarks Summit, Sugarloaf Township, Easton, and Reading.
WNEP List of businesses offering free meals – updating list of local organizations and businesses offering help with food throughout the WNEP viewing area.
Lehigh County Resources – an in-depth list of food, shelter, healthcare and more resources development by Lehigh County.
PA Nutrition Education Network—The PA Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Food Assistance provided a great resource on how to access emergency food assistance if you are experiencing food insecurity related to COVID-19.
People looking for food assistance can call the WHY Hunger Hotline at 1-800-5-HUNGRY or visit their website. 
Use Community Resources Connect for food assistance information in your area. 
Senator Bob Casey has compiled food assistance resources for Pennsylvanians 
Philabundance is working with the City of Philadelphia to help supply emergency food for individuals and families in need in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Fin d a location near you
Schuylkill Food Network– The 20 sites of the Schuylkill Food Network are carrying out food distributions with drive up and curbside services. Food will be provided to anyone who needs food assistance as a result of the COVID-19
Second Harvest Food Bank– Deliveries to our network of 200 nonprofit agencies across our six-county service territory will continue, as our priority remains getting food out to our neighbors in need. Serving Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, Pike and Wayne counties. Find a location near you.
Central Pennsylvania Food Bank– We are committed to providing food to people in need. Serves Tioga, Bradford and Sullivan counties. Find a location near you.

Healthcare

Pennsylvania Department of Health – The state’s coronavirus website. Updated daily with statistics on the virus in PA, plus information on stay-at-home orders and more.
Guide to Wellbeing during the Covid Crisis – Practices, resources, and articles for individuals, parents, educators, and health care professionals facing COVID-19.
Downloadable list of AA and NA Meetings – Covers several NEPA counties.
Healthy MOMS Program – helping pregnant women with opioid use disorder have a healthy pregnancy in recovery in Lackawanna County.
Free2Be Mom Program – helping pregnant women with opioid use disorder have a healthy pregnancy in recovery in Luzerne County. Call 570-214-2159 for more information.

Abuse prevention

If you or anyone you know is in any immediate danger, please call 911.
National Domestic Violence website: https://www.thehotline.org/2020/03/13/staying-safe-during-covid-19/
Pennsylvania Coalition for Abuse & Domestic Violence at 1-833-727-2335.
Suspected child abuse: contact the Children & Youth Services child line at 1-800-932-0313.

Mental health support

If you need resources or you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please text the crisis text line by texting PA to 741741, or call the statewide support & referral helpline at 1-855-284-2494.
SAMHSA – SAMHSA recognizes the challenges posed by the current COVID-19 situation and is providing the following guidance and resources to assist individuals, providers, communities, and states across the country.  SAMHSA stands ready to assist in any manner possible.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Emotional Wellbeing Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak.
NAMI– Because we’re in this together, you are not alone. During this difficult time, the NAMI HelpLine is here for you.
Crisis Text Line: Text “PA” to 741-741

Government Services

Pennsylvania Office of Unemployment – File online if you have been laid off or had hours reduced due to the coronavirus.
Mail-in Ballot Application – Online application for a mail-in ballot for the upcoming primary election
Assistance with paying bills

Facebook Groups and Pages

Facebook Covid-19 Resource Page – A page curated by Facebook with updates from trusted sources. It also contains a section for making requests for help of the local community, and to see offers of help or support being offered locally to you.
NEPA, In Stock or Sold Out? – Facebook group where those shopping report back on what is in stock in stories across the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. Helps avoid extra trips and maintain social distancing.