STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY
Local Nonprofits Provide Resources to Residents
By JACKSON KING
W
ith the spread of COVID-19/
coronavirus a big issue across the
country, several local nonprofits and
community organizations have stepped
up to provide useful information and
resources to local residents who need it
the most. These community organizations
provide a variety of services and free-to-
use programs, including up-to-date health
information, economic assistance to those
in need, food and health care providers,
and utility assistance. Here are a few of
the programs available to Brazos Valley
residents to help them deal with the
COVID-19 outbreak and its after effects.
Brazos Valley COVID-19 Relief Fund
For those who have faced economic
challenges due to CDC, state, and city
guidelines designed to contain the spread
of COVID-19, community nonprofits, in
partnership with local governments and
businesses, are launching a relief fund for
Brazos Valley residents, giving those who
need it the resources necessary to live
during this time of economic uncertainty.
Spearheaded by United Way of the
Brazos Valley, the Community Foundation
of the Brazos Valley, the Bryan College
Station Chamber of Commerce, and the
cities of Bryan and College Station, the
Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief
Fund is designed to help alleviate the
stress on those who need it most. With
the relief fund, small businesses can help
keep workers employed by funding their
paycheck through a payroll assistance
program, while grant funding will be
available to community nonprofits to
provide services for residents needing
food, rent, and more.
Small businesses or nonprofits wishing
to apply for the program can do so at
uwbv.org/covid19. Anyone can donate to
the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community
Relief fund by texting BVCOVID19 to
41444 or by donating online.
2-1-1 Texas and Option Six
The United Way will continue to facilitate
the Brazos Valley version of 2-1-1 Texas.
A program of the Texas Human Services
Commission, 2-1-1 Texas is a free
information and call center with the goal
of connecting local residents to the best
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community resources available, referring
locals to a variety of services including
food pantries, substance abuse programs,
or housing assistance. It is recommended
that people call 2-1-1 Texas first in order
to assess their needs carefully, says
Mickal Lewis, 2-1-1 resource and project
coordinator for United Way.
One area where 2-1-1 Texas has created
special accomodations is for people
looking for medical advice. For those
searching for answers regarding health
and well-being during the self-quarantine,
2-1-1 Texas has created a special hotline
as a part of their services for medical
questions regarding COVID-19. While in
the local area, people who call 2-1-1 and
select option six will be sent to a medical
These community
organizations provide
a variety of services
and free-to-use
programs
hotline where they can speak to medical
professionals about any questions they
have about COVID-19.
Comprehensive Energy Assistance
Program and Utility Assistance
For those who need assistance
with paying off their utility bill, the
Comprehensive Energy Assistance
Program is a great resource available
for anyone in the community. Part of the
energy and housing assistance programs
provided by the Brazos Valley Community
Action Programs, the Bill Pay Program
provides assistance with electricity,
natural gas, or propane bills people are
struggling to pay.
Additionally, many utility service
providers have enacted measures to assist
customers with their utility bill during
the COVID-19 outbreak. Atmos Energy
says in a press release they are going to
suspend any natural gas disconnections
temporarily, while Altice USA says they
will provide internet access to households
with K-12 and/or college students for free
for 60 days for new customers. i
Other Community Resources Available
• Texas Department of Health Services
dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
• American Red Cross — Heart of Texas Chapter
redcross.org/local/texas/central-and-
south-texas/about-us/locations/heart-of-
texas.html
• Texas Workforce Commission’s
Unemployment Benefit Services
twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-
benefits-services
• Texas Workforce Commission’s Shared
Work Program
twc.texas.gov/businesses/shared-work
• Economic Injury Disaster Loan, courtesy of
Small Business Associations, via
disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
• Meals on Wheels, a food program for the
elderly population of the Brazos Valley
capbv.org/programs/meals-on-wheels/
• The Salvation Army of Bryan College Station
salvationarmytexas.org/bryancollegestation/
• Brazos Church Food Pantry
brazoschurchpantry.org
• First Baptist Church of College Station
Food Pantry fbccollegestation.com/
opportunities-blocks/2019/9/12/food-pantry
• Twin City Mission twincitymission.org
• Brazos Valley Food Bank bvfb.org
• U-Haul 30-Day Free Self Storage uhaul.com
• Catholic Charities of the Brazos Valley
ccctx.org
• For a list of local restaurants:
experiencebcs.com/eat-local