Update on Community Resources and Requests for Assistance Prescott Indivisible

 Update on Community Resources and
Requests for Assistance 
 Prescott Indivisible – March 26, 2020
Have something to add? Email: IndivisibleAZ4@gmail.com

A Letter from the Editor:
I have been writing Persist & Resist since Feb. 2017. Until last week it alternated with the Prescott Indivisible Newsletter. The Persist & Resist Calendar was also started in 2017 and has been updated weekly since that time.
Neither the newsletter nor the calendar will be published until we are again having face-to-face meetings in public places.. The Prescott Indivisible Newsletter will become a weekly, filling the void.
My efforts are now focusing on this new publication advising of community resources and volunteer opportunities.
Please assist me in bringing the latest news on Covid-19 to Prescott Indivisible members and others.
Hopefully it will bring the community together, let us share resources and information to help one another. 
I need help! If you are well connected in your community and want to submit updated information on a regular basis, contact me by email: IndivisibleAZ4@gmail.com
Be safe and please stay well!
Maria Lynam

Read about Covid-19 coverage, free: 
Local/State news available with out a subscription (click on links below to access)
The Daily Courier’s Covid-19 coverage 
AZ Republic’s Covid-19 coverage 
To receive the Washington Post’s Corona Virus Newsletter, sign up here. All articles in the newsletter can be accessed for free.
To receive free updates and guidance from The New York Times, sign up here.

Message from the Prescott Indivisible Chair, Rosemary Dixon:
     Prescott Indivisible is currently working with the Coalition of Compassion and Justice to provide meals for the residents of their shelter. Jessi Hans, their director, gave a presentation at the March meeting of PI, and we were struck by her dedication to serving those that need the most help in our county.
     Ideally we would like to offer dinner once a week, depending on funds available. To provide food from El Gato Azul for 40 costs $120. Donations to Prescott Indivisible will help fund this critical need. Please send a check, made out to Prescott Indivisible, to our Treasurer, Jane Doyle, 1295 Pinecone Terrace, Prescott 86303.
     By the way, we talked to People Who Care today. They were so appreciative of last week’s announcement – all their volunteer needs are currently filled.  She said that a great number of them came from PI during the past week.
    I am thanking all our members who volunteered for this organization.

URGENT – Take Action!
Here is the March 25 Update from the AZ Republic:
Six Deaths in Arizona – There are 401 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Arizona, a 25% jump since Tuesday morning!  Yavapai has 4 confirmed.
 102 tests have been provided in Yavapai County with 85 negative, and 14 pending.  We have a population approaching 230,000.  That means that .044 of our population has been tested! 
At the current time, only those people who are at high risk or are exhibiting symptoms are being tested in Yavapai County. A list of those patients who meet CDC criteria
should contact their primary care doctor for where to go to be test. Test sites are listed here.
This is appalling.  Please contact ALL the members of the Board of Supervisors (at bottom of the newsletter) and ask them to take action.  We need more testing; without that the number of those who have the COVID-19 virus in Yavapai County are not being counted.  Your life may depend on this!
Also write to other state and federal officials (list at the bottom of this newsletter).  Here is a sample email: I am your constituent.  I live in ______________.
     I urge you to demonstrate leadership by addressing the current health crisis, head on.
     Please work to identify appropriate venues to provide additional hospital beds, quarantine space, and health services.  Our rural community has limited medical facilities. Now is the time to act proactively to adapt spaces and have them ready in case of a surge.  Please prepare our community for these foreseen needs. 
     I would like to know your plans to increase testing. Without testing, case numbers are artificially low. Without aggressive testing we will not be able to isolate this contagion. 
     Please let the public know how you plan to deal with this health crisis.  Citizens are awaiting your leadership.  Thank you.”

Important – Time Sensitive – Prescott Farmer’s Market – Orders must be in by Thurs. March 26 at noon for Fresh Food Boxes for Sat. March 28
    “Thanks to those that purchased Fresh Food Boxes last week.  We especially appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through the challenges and finalize a smoother order and pick up procedure. Rest assured, pick up of Fresh Food Boxes this Saturday will have a much shorter line and be a quicker process!
     Our online shop is open once again with market items to purchase for pickup. You will notice a few more items for selection than last week. Our goal is to do this weekly, so if things sell out, know that we will have more next week.
     ***SNAP/EBT Customers: please visit the site and then call 928-713-1227 with your order. Since we can’t process your EBT card over the phone, you’ll be able to pay in person, but we need to get your order ahead of time.
     10a – 1p Yavapai College, Parking Lot D,  1100 E. Sheldon St., Prescott, AZ 86301″       You can also donate to others in need on their order site.

 Resources Needed – Please Donate
American Red Cross Blood Bank – local donation times and places can be found here. You must enter a date and time to confirm your appointment.
Coalition for Compassion and Justice (CCJ) – Food and Other Needs
CCJ has closed their thrift shop and home repair service. They continue to serve through providing Emergency Shelter, Advocacy for our clients, PWPA (Prescott Workers Progress Agency) employee readiness program and Second Chance Housing.
Due to these changes, they have additional needs.  As a local nonprofit, all of their funding comes from our community.  Here is how you can help:

• Donate!  Any amount helps!  http://yavapaiccj.org/donate/
• Dedicate your Arizona Tax Credit to CCJ at not cost to you!
• Offer to donate dinner for 35 people in our shelter (Prescott Indivisible has purchased an evening meal for those in the Emergency Shelter. We chose to feed 40 people, costing $120. See info above in letter from Chair, Rosemary Dixon) 
• Hire the PWPA Crew for landscaping  928-445-8382
• Send protective supplies, such as; antibacterial soap, gloves, and hand sanitizer 
• Like, Comment, Share their social media posts, especially the ones with their needs listed  (click on the icons below)
• Send this info to a friend that may not know about CCJ
• Twitter      Facebook      Website     531 Madison Ave., Prescott           tel: 928-445-8382 

Food donations can be either pre-packaged food from a grocery store or purchased from a restaurant. CCJ does not have cooking facilities. If you are able to help with this need, contact Tasha, tasha.rosander@yavapaiccj.org.  

Salvation Army, Prescott – Food Needs
The Salvation Army, 225 S Montezuma St, Prescott. Please drop off non-perishable food items, diapers and wipes or donate money to help them.  Drop off is next to the thrift shop, Monday- Friday 8-12 or 1-4. Thank you!
The donated food is being used to fill Operation Food Box Assistance. They will arrange for a food box to be dropped at an individual’s door, reducing the amount of face-to-face exposure. Tell people they can apply for assistance by calling 928-778-0150 or visiting the Salvation Army Prescott Corps Community Center at 237 S. Montezuma St., Prescott.  Note that assistance is limited and and subject to availability. 

• Twitter Facebook       Website     237 S. Montezuma St., Prescott   tel:928-778-0150

People Who Care – Sends thanks to all our members who volunteered to assist in their “pick up and drive” initiative. 
Quad City Interfaith Council – Sanitizing Supplies and Non-Perishable Food NeededGail Cook, member of Prescott Indivisible (former Peacekeeper Team Leader), is collecting donations of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and non-perishable food to give to those who can’t afford to stock up and/or don’t have transportation. Anything will help: 2-4 rolls of toilet paper, one large bottle of hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes will be broken up into smaller packets. She is working with the Quad-City Interfaith Council who is also affiliated with the Coalition for Compassion and Justice and the Salvation Army and U.S. Vets. Quad Cities Interfaith (QCI) is a grassroots coalition of congregations and community groups.  Contact Gail re donating or volunteering. gacooklotus56@hotmail.com   928-899-2407 

Stepping Stones – Donations, Sanitizing Supplies
Stepping Stones, 6719 E. 2nd Street, Ste. A · Prescott Valley – 24/7/365 advocacy services, including safe shelter, to adults and children affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and other forms of victimization in West Yavapai Co. Hotline – 928-445-HOPE.  Website 
Their Prescott (408 W. Goodwin St.) and Prescott Valley (2651 N. Industrial Way) thrift store hours beginning March 31 through April 30 will be:Tue – Sat 10 am – 4:30 pm  Donation drop offs and pickups can be found at their website.
They ask for your support for local families with a donation (and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit through Arizona’s Charitable Tax Credit donation program). Click here to donate online.Emergency supplies currently needed for their shelter location include: Bleach cleaning supplies (bleach, Clorox spray, Lysol WITH bleach), Antibacterial soap. Rubbing alcohol (at least 70% – to clean thermometers), Disposable thermometer covers, Toilet paper.
These items can be dropped off at their Administration Office (6719 E. 2nd Street, Suite A in Prescott Valley) Monday – Thursday 9am – 4pm; and Friday by appointment only. Call 928-772-4184.

The Kino Border Initiative, Nogales, AZ assists migrants on both sides of the border. A faith-based organization, it fosters humanitarian assistance, education and advocacy. They need acetaminophen, anti-bacterial gel, lysol, vitamin C, Caladrl, hospital masks and rubber gloves.  If you can assist them, it would be best to order on-line and send to: Kino Border Initiative, 81 N. Terrace Ave., Nogales, AZ  85621. Website and facebook page is available.
County/City/Town Resources

Employment Opportunities (Yavapai Co.) and Resources in Sedona and the Verde Valley – GYCC Newsletter – includes application links
 
Chino Valley – The Town of Chino Valley has put emergency measures in place.
     The Senior Center will be open 10am-1pm. To-go meals will be offered to all and are strongly encouraged. If dine-in is necessary, people are encouraged to leave as soon as possible.  Other restrictions are in place. Public computers have been shut off, although free Wi-Fi is available for the public on their own personal devices.
     The Chino Valley Library is closed for regular business hours until April 1.  A curbside service is available. Reserve your materials on line or by calling928-636-2687 (Main) or 928-636-9115 (Children’s Library). When you arrive at the library to pick up your materials, knock on the door.  Mon – Fri 9a – 6p and Sat 10a-2p.
     Other town information can be found on their facebook page.
City of Prescott – The city’s facebook page has frequent updates about Covid-19. Mayor Greg Mangarelli posts frequent video updates. On Tues., March 24, he announced all playgrounds in the City of Prescott have been closed. All public restrooms at outdoor City facilities have also been closed. Parks, and trails remain open, however we are urging social distancing measures.  The City of Prescott closed Kayla’s Hands playground through the end of April to install a large shade cover over the playground.  City webpage: www.prescott-az.gov/covid19
     Prescott Chamber of Commerce encourages purchasing gift cards from our local businesses and purchase their products and services on line, if possible. They encourage the use of credit/debit cards and not cash because it is safer.
     The Prescott Public Library is open with modified services (curbside services; check their website). The library will remain closed until at least Monday, April 13, at which time the situation will be reevaluated.

Prescott Indivisible – If you need help, please post what you need on the Prescott Indivisible Facebook page and we will do what we can to assist, or to help you find assistance. Alternatively, if you can be a helper, please post that also.
Prescott Valley – All the information re the town’s comprehensive protective measures can be found on their website.      The Prescott Valley Library will be closed until April 1.  They will continue to provide many digital services, such as e-books and e-audiobooks; free access to magazines and newspapers; and research. The Library’s Ask a Librarian question platform can also be accessed online or by calling 928-759-3040. Other resources may be found at www.pvlib.net/
     Town Parks and Recreation facilities will remain open, but pubic restrooms and playgrounds will be closed for use.
     The town’s emergency declaration can also be accessed on the above page.   
Yavapai County has a hotline where you can get real answers about this ongoing crisis. Call 928-442-5103. Available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (I have called three times to inquire re the status of testing kits. Keep getting ‘all circuits are busy’. If you get through and get info, please let me know via email: IndivisibleAZ4@gmail.com) 
Yavapai County Community Health Services: www.Yavapai.US/CHS

Arizona 
     The State has setup a COVID-19 hotline that is open 24-7. Simply dial 211. 
     State website: www.AZDHS.gov
     Gov. Doug Ducey’s website has many resources on the home page.  His many press releases can be found at azgovernor.gov, click on news. Look for info on relief for renters, homeowners, etc.Information on Store Hours
      Costco opens 8a-9a Tues and Thurs for seniors with membership cards. No guests.(Be advised of long lines. On 3/24 they had over 1,000 in line. Unless you are an earlybird, you might want to shop another time.
 Trader Joe’s – New hours 9am-7pm daily. Seniors are given priority 9-10am. It is suggested to come in after 2p–much less traffic. Items are limited to 2 each per shopper. Only 50 at a time in the store; ‘revolving’ entrance – as soon as one shopper leaves, another enters.  
Sprouts, both locations – 7am-8p daily; Natural Grocers – 8:30a – 7:30p daily; Fry’s, all locations – 7a – 9p daily. Sr. hours 6-7a Mon. through Fri.; Safeway, all locations 6a – 9p daily. Sr. hours 6-9a Tues/Thurs. Walmart, all locations 7a – 8:30p, Sr. hours at all locations – 6-7a daily.
     Thank those who serve us in grocery stores, drugs stores, take-out at restaurants and at other essential services. 
One AZ Credit Union is accepting applications from community non-profits for COVID-19 Community Impact Grants in the amount of $2,000.  Application process here.
Other Community Resources

Chino Valley Food Bank, 840 E. Rd. 1 South, Chino Valley  (928)636-8478.  Hours and Days remain the same.  Produce, packaged bread, baked good (when available) will be included in food boxes (they will not be distributed separately).  There is curbside pick up only. Show your card at the door and volunteer will bring the food out.  Facebook.
Prescott Community Cupboard, 313 E. Goodwin St., Prescott (928) 778-2531  Website
Donating to those who don’t have other means to feed themselves and their families. Due to a shortage of food, small families (up to 2 people) receive one 11-pound bag of food. Bags include protein filled foods as well as vegetables. Families of 3-5 people receive two 11-pound bags of food and famlies of more than 6, receive three 11-pound bags of food. 

Prescott Meals on Wheels Information,Keeping Seniors and Volunteers Safe in Our Community amid COVID-19 Click HERE to read about our temporary process for home delivered meals
     At this time, we do not need additional volunteers to help with meal delivery. We are practicing social distancing with our volunteers and homebound clients and are delivering meals to them once a week one hot meal and five frozen) and calling often to make sure that they are healthy and safe.   Contact – Prescott Meals On Wheels, 1280 E Rosser St, Prescott    PMOWcares@gmail.com   928-445-7630.  
Ways that you can help seniors our community: 

• Utilize the Curbside Meal to-go service- click here for details
• Contact The Salvation Army and arrange for Operation Food Box assistance by calling 928-778-0150 — a food box will be dropped at an individual’s door, reducing the amount of face-to-face exposure. 
• Set up a grocery pick up by ordering online and pick up groceries when ready
• Work with neighbors on putting together a phone list to call and check up on one another or start a conversation during social isolation

Prescott Valley Food Bank, 8671 E. Spouse Drive, Suite A, Prescott Valley. Open Mon – Fri noon – 2:45 pm  Phone: 928-772-4490
Walk-ins served. No referral required. Photo ID and proof of address. Must meet federal poverty guidelines.

Yavapai County Food Bank, 8866 E Long Mesa Dr. Prescott Valley, Open Tues and Wed. 3-5pm and Thurs and Fri. 1-3pm
(928) 775-5255  Please refer to their Covid-19 Guidelines.  Clients cannot enter the food bank’s lots before serving times. No walk-ins until the end of March. If you do not have Yavapai Co. Food Bank Card, contact them and get an emergency ticket.

Contact Information for your elected representatives: