Saturday, April 11
If you have an immediate need, call (607) 288-3252
As always, community members looking for more information on local health resources and resources related to COVID-19 can contact 2-1-1 by calling 1-877-211-8667 or visiting 211tompkins.org
Mutual Aid Tompkins Facebook Page
Mutual Aid Tompkins Facebook Group
Mutual Aid Tompkins Immediate Needs Facebook Group
Mutual Aid Tompkins Food Systems Facebook Group
Mutual Aid Tompkins Community Form
Mutual Aid Tompkins Community Resource Folder
Donate
We are neighbors concerned about our communities and helping to make sure those most vulnerable and affected by COVID-19 get the support they need. We are volunteer run, with no paid staff, and our aid comes directly from the community. We have created a PayPal & Venmo account and the money donated is going directly to people who have made requests through our immediate needs page. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our fundraiser that is in partnership with Tompkins County Worker's Center, You can also make donations through PayPal here and our Venmo here. Thank you!
Need Help Finding Help? Contact 2-1-1 Tompkins Cortland. I just want to remind people of this help desk and referral service. Callers are referred to service providers according to their needs. 2-1-1 may follow up with callers, when appropriate, to ensure that contact was made and to offer further assistance if needed. Some common questions include locations to find food, legal issues with housing, how to access healthcare, and finding employment. 2-1-1 is active 24 hours a day 365 days of the year. To access 2-1-1 by text, message your zip code to TXT211 or 898211. Texting service is available Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 4:00 pm). You can also access 2-1-1 services by email (iandr@hsctc.org) or by visiting their website.
Local
Health
A second non-county resident died of COVID-19 at Cayuga Health Center. Read the full report HERE.
The CH Sampling Site will be closed Monday, 4/13, due to a forecast of inclement weather. It will reopen on Tuesday, 4/14, for regular hours, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. To pre-register, call Cayuga Health Registration Line at 607-319-5708, or go online to cayugahealthsystem.org.
Tompkins County Public Health Department has issued a letter recommending the closing of recreation areas in the county that use shared equipment. The letter was signed and dated today by Public Health Director Frank Kruppa. Read the full report HERE.
Help Resources
Quarantine Space : Mutual Aid Tompkins is trying to coordinate with home/apartment owners to create quarantine space for people coming (back) to Ithaca or traveling to Ithaca from other places. If you need any assistance with self-quarantine place, please contact communityaidtompkins@gmail.com or our point person, Becky Sibner rsibner1@gmail.com.
New Stimulus Check Tool : IRS has launched a new tool for people who do not normally file taxes to get stimulus checks. Please see check the tool kit on the IRS website HERE . If you would like simplified instructions regarding the Stimulus Check Tool, Love & Discounts in the Time of Corona has also provided short-sweet-and-to-the-point guidelines on their Facebook Page.
Food
Ithaca Free Food Resources HERE.
Food Box Delivery : To provide immediate local relief, Cornell has partnered with the Food Bank of the Southern Tier and the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) to collect and distribute much-needed meals for food-insecure families. The organizers plan to provide food packages – each containing a three-day supply for a family of four – to 200 families on Tuesday, and another 200 on Thursday. The effort officially launches March 31 from 1-4 p.m. at GIAC and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday during those hours. If there are people in the area needing the free food boxes given away at GIAC, but are unable to travel for a variety of reasons, please contact communityaidtompkins@gmail.com – we would like to help arrange Food Box Delivery for people in need.
Food Pantries : The first of our Neighborhood Open Food Pantries has been placed in Ithaca's Northside neighborhood across from the Permaculture Park! Please read more information about Food Pantries and how to build a Neighborhood Food Pantry HERE.
State
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a new partnership with the New York State Court System to create a pro bono network of volunteer lawyers to provide New Yorkers with free legal assistance. Volunteers will begin to receive training and start offering assistance next week. Lawyers interested in volunteering can sign up at www.nysba.org/covidvolunteer. Governor Cuomo also issued a letter calling on the U.S. Treasury to ensure New Yorkers do not have their stimulus payments frozen by banks or seized by creditors as soon as they arrive. Read the full report HERE.
National
COVID-19 Cases in the US : CDC website
