The COVID-19 pandemic has created and exacerbated many needs in our community. More and more folks are in need of food, financial support, and physical and mental health services; local businesses are seeking funds to get them through the downturn; and all of us are looking for information to help us better understand what’s going on.

Here are a few places you can go to get assistance, as we all work to get through this together.

General

  • For assistance on a wide variety of issues, visit NCCovidSupport.org.
  • The town of Carrboro has compiled a list of available local resources; get the full list here.
  • Orange County has compiled a list of available local resources; get the full list here.
  • The Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness has compiled a list of available local resources; get the full list here. (These resources are available all the time, not just during COVID-19, and many of them are available for everyone, not just those experiencing homelessness.)

Covid Testing

  • If you need to get tested for Covid-19, Orange County holds free weekly testing Mondays through Fridays at two locations. The R-7 parking lot on MLK Boulevard, near the intersection with Hillsborough Street across from Flyleaf Books and the Root Cellar is one. The Whitted Building at 300 West Tryon Street in Hillsborough is another. Pre-registration for Covid-19 tests is encouraged and links can be found on Orange County’s Testing web page.
  • Orange County also holds free Covid testing events on a monthly basis at these locations:
    • On the first Sunday of every month, from 1p-5p, at McDougle Middle School on Old Fayettville Road in Chapel Hill
    • On the second Wednesday of every month, from 11a-3p, at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church on Buckhorn Road in Mebane
    • On the third Saturday of every month, from 10a-2p, at Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist Church on Jimmy Ed Road in Hurdle Mills
    • On the fourth Saturday of every month, from 12-4 pm, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church off Fordham Boulevard in Chapel Hill

Flu Shots

Health officials across North Carolina have said keeping flu cases and hospitalizations low amid the coronavirus pandemic will be key.

  • North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services has a general information page about seasonal influenza and its symptoms, which can be found here.
  • Orange County has more information on how you can get a flu shot through the county’s health department on its Flu Vaccination web page.

Food

The town of Chapel Hill has compiled this list of food distribution sites, including those listed below as well as many others. (Here’s the Spanish-language version, and the Mandarin-language version.)

  • There’s a food distribution every Wednesday from 10 am to noon at the Eubanks Road park-and-ride lot, hosted by a variety of organizations including the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC.
  • Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is running a “Food for Students” program, distributing meals four days a week (Mon-Thu) at 35 sites around town, to any child who shows up. Get the list of locations and times here.
  • Orange County Schools is providing meals to students every weekday at 20 locations. Get the list of locations and times here.
  • The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service offers lunch every day and dinner every weekday at 100 W. Rosemary Street. They will also provide any household with a week’s worth of groceries once per month. Call (919) 929-6380 & press 0 for information on groceries.
  • You can request food service from local nonprofits, including TABLE, PORCH, and Meals on Wheels.
  • Orange County’s Seniors Supplemental Food box program distributes a box of non-perishable groceries once a month to qualified residents over 60. To enroll, e-mail shmcpherson@orangecountync.gov or call 919-245-4243.
  • Qualifying seniors (60 and older) can also pick up a boxed lunch from Orange County on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Call 919-245-4256 to enroll.
  • If you’re experiencing unemployment, the Carrboro Farmer’s Market is offering $10 vouchers to help with your shopping. Get more info at the CFM website.
  • If your household needs other assistance with securing food, call the Orange County Department of Social Services at 919-245-2800.
  • If you’re having trouble affording pet food, Orange County Animal Services has a Pet Food Assistance program during the COVID-19 epidemic.
  • The RENA Community Center distributes bags of non-perishable food on the third Friday of every month.

Housing

  • The town of Carrboro has compiled a page of important information for tenants and landlords navigating the COVID-19 situation, especially regarding rent payments and evictions. Here’s their page for tenants; here’s their page for landlords.
  • People in housing crisis can call Orange County’s Housing Helpline, 919-245-2655. The helpline is staffed from 12-4 pm on weekdays, and overnight from 12-6 am Sunday through Thursday. (You can also email housinghelp@orangecountync.gov with questions.)

Masks and PPE

  • If you’re in need of a face mask, you can pick one up for free at the Carrboro Police Department, weekdays from 10 am-2 pm, or at the Carrboro Fire Department, Wednesdays through Saturdays from 2-5 pm.
  • The town of Chapel Hill is also giving out free masks (limit 4 per household) every Wednesday and Saturday from 2-5 pm at two fire stations: Fire Station #1 on MLK Boulevard just north of downtown, and Fire Station #3 at the corner of Franklin Street and Elliott Road.
  • Orange County’s two chambers of commerce have joined a regional partnership to provide personal protective equipment to local business. If you’re a business in need of PPE, visit ChamberPPE.com.

Physical & Mental Health

  • The American Red Cross has launched a Virtual Family Assistance Center to support families struggling with loss and grief due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. You can also call the Red Cross for help, at 833-492-0094.
  • To connect with mental health services across the state, dial **275. (That’s **ASK.)

Veterinary Care

  • Orange County Animal Services has created a new Veterinary Care Assistance Program to help residents who are having trouble affording veterinary care. Get more information and apply here.

Legal/Tax Services

  • The NC Pro Bono Resource Center is offering 45 minutes of free legal advice for North Carolina small businesses and nonprofits (less than 25 employees) with COVID-19 related issues. Get more information and request assistance here.
  • The income tax deadline has been extended to July 15. If you need help filing your taxes, the Orange County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) is offering free help for qualifying residents (incomes below $65,000 for an individual, or $90,000 for a household). Visit this page or email OCNCVita@gmail.com for more info.

Child Care

  • The state has set up a hotline for families and caregivers who need child care for children up to age 12. Call 1-888-600-1685 to be connected with resources.
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