At the Women’s Resource Center, our utmost concern is the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, clients and community. News about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases daily. It is important to respond to our community’s needs, especially as those needs evolve or change during this time. Below we have provided a list of local resources that may be able to help.

WRC Resource Report

Please stay safe, and continue to follow best practices from the CDC.

News & Emergency Resources

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued its first round of implementation guidance pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFRCA). This guidance provides fact sheets for both employers and employees as well as a Q&A regarding implementation.The guidance is available in three parts:

United Way FREE Hotline

2-1-1 is a FREE service provided by United Way that connects area residents to critical health and social service resources when they need help. From help with a household bill, food assistance, or counseling for suicide prevention, calling United Way’s 2-1-1 helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Instead of searching the phone book or internet when faced with a crisis, think of 2-1-1 as your first call for help.

People can reach 2-1-1:

By phone – Dial 211

By Email – uw211help@gmail.com

By Online Chat

By Text – Text zip code to 898-211

Season of Sharing Fund

Season of Sharing helps individuals and families on the verge of homelessness who reside in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. The funds may be used for rental assistance, utility bills, child care, transportation, food vouchers and other expenses associated with helping families get back on their feet.

Individuals seeking funds, must meet with a caseworker through a social service agency to apply for the funds.

Not sure which agency matches your needs? United Way 2-1-1 assists potential clients in finding an appropriate agency.

Financial Resources:

  • The Florida Department of Children and Families waived work requirements for two assistance programs providing food and shelter. Following passage of Families First Coronavirus Act, Gov. Ron DeSantis requested work requirements be set aside to allow more participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program
  • Emergency Bridge Loan Program: The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is currently available to small business owners located in all Florida counties statewide that experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19. These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance. Read more >>>
  • U.S. Small Business Disaster Assistance
  • Business Recovery Funds
  • No Kid Hungry – Coronavirus Grant Request – We’re offering emergency grants to support local school districts and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to ensure kids get the nutritious food they need.
  • The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus.
  • Filing tax deadline has been moved to July 15th – Taxpayers can file their taxes now online for free.
  • Florida Property Tax Extension: Property tax is normally due by March 31 in the year following the year the taxes are assessed. The Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR) extended the final due date for citizens and businesses to pay property taxes in all Florida Counties from March 31 to April 15, 2020. Payments that are remitted by April 15, 2020, for the 2019 tax year will be considered paid on-time. Additional information can be found in the DOR Emergency Order 20-52-DOR-001 (Property Tax Oversight).
  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program – LIHEAP services are provided to assist families, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of their household income for home energy, meet their immediate home energy needs.
  • Resources for Restaurants Workers
  • Bartender Emergency Assistance Program

  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – An SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

  • Access – To apply for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (TANF) or Medicaid.
  • HHS COVID Fraud Alerts
  • Comcast announced will offer 60 days of complimentary no-cost internet access for new low-income customers
  • Florida KidCare – free/ subsidized insurance for children 18 and under who those may have lost health or dental insurance coverage.
  • Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.

Food Service Sites:

Mobile Pantries Available Times And Dates

  • Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club – 1790 21st St, Sarasota, March 25, 2020, 9:30 am to 10:30 am.
  • Food Pantry: Salvation Army is distributing food at their 1400 10th Street, Sarasota, location. Please call 954-Hope (4673) for an appointment. Open Monday thru Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 p.m
  • Feeding Site: Mental Health Community Centers, Inc. 240B South Tuttle Ave, Sarasota. 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Serving to go meals.

Employment Resources

For Job-Seekers

Helpful Job Searching Tools

Your Chamber Resources: 

Companies Currently Hiring for Full-Time or Part-Time Positions

Please click on the link to be directed to their open positions page to apply:

For Parents & Families

Educational Resources

Talking to Kids About COVID-19

Family Safety Guidelines and Resources

Resources for Children at Home

Self Care Resources

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