Chicago Covid19 Resource Directory

Hiddly ho, quarantinos!

I've created this blog in an attempt to create a list (outside of a social network) tracking all potential Chicago-relevant COVID-19 resources, volunteer opportunities, donation sites, etc.

If you have a listing to add to this, please email it to me at chicagocovid19 @ gmail dot com (no spaces) and I'll get it up ASAP. Please include a brief description of the effort, contact info and how people can get involved.

I'm doing my best to keep this list accurate and up-to-date, but can't personally vet every listing. If you have concerns, please contact me at the email above.

Last updated: 4/3/2020

If you need general financial support:

• Chicago Covid Resources is a very comprehensive list of resources sorted by financial aid, job opportunities, direct goods, health and harm reduction, mutual aid and more. 
• Facebook group Northside Chicago Mom Angels is coordinating efforts to help mothers who are affected by school and business closures.
• Chicago COVID-19 Hardship and Help Page was created by Chicago organizers Kelly Hayes and Delia Galindo to offer a simple way for people in the Chicago area to ask others for assistance during this crisis.
• Physical Distancing Resources is an amazing compilation of ways to stay busy and connected while you're not able to physically be around others. 
• Chicago Current Job Openings Board is a crowdsourced list of places hiring in Chicago.
• Chicago Rental Assistance program provides financial assistance to Chicago residents, directly related to the prevention of homelessness, to eligible individuals and families who are in danger of eviction in order to stabilize individuals and families in their existing rental unit.

If you need food:

• The Chicago Food Depository's Find Food page allows users to find a food pantry, soup kitchen, mobile food distribution or shelter near their geographic location in Cook County. The Greater Chicago Food Depository can help you apply for LINK and Medicaid: call (773) 843-5416.
• All CPS schools are closed until April 20th, but are providing FREE breakfast and lunch for pickup,Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm, no questions asked. Call (773) 553-5437 for emergency deliveries or click here to read the press release.

Mental Health and Domestic Violence Resources:

• NAMI Chicago is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm and Saturday to Sunday from 9am–5pm. NAMI provides support, information, and referrals by phone: call (833) 626-4244.
• Illinois Domestic Violence Victim Services offers an Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline: call (877) 863-6338.

Medical Professional-Specific Support:

• Doctors, nurses, EMTs, paramedics and other medical personnel will now be able to ride free on Metra by showing their work ID to a Metra conductor. (Announcement here)

Volunteer + Donation Opportunities:

• My Block, My Hood, My City is organizing a senior citizen response effort. Participants are assembling and delivering care packages to those in need. To donate, volunteer or request a package, please visit https://www.formyblock.org/.
• Chicago COVID-19 Mutual Aid Volunteer Sign-up: This list is being compiled by Chicago organizer Kelly Hayes to share with groups that are doing mutual aid work around COVID-19 in Chicago. They will be sharing this list with groups doing mutual aid in Chicago, such as folks from Food Not Bombs and Chicago Action Medical, who are organizing mutual aid.
• Brave Space Alliance COVID-19 Mutual Aid Volunteer Sign-up: Brave Space Alliance will be operating a crisis food pantry for queer and trans folks on the south side of Chicago during the pandemic. Please fill out this form to sign up to provide volunteer assistance for their food drive!
• Chicago COVID-19 Hardship and Help Page was created by Chicago organizers Kelly Hayes and Delia Galindo to offer a simple way for people in the Chicago area to ask others for assistance during this crisis. (If you are financially secure and able to help, this link allows you to pick a recipient and donate).
• Many of Chicago's wards are setting up mutual aid programs and/or senior check-ins. (To find your alderman based on your street address, click here). 
• The American Red Cross reports that Illinois is facing a “severe blood shortage” due to an unprecedented number of blood drives being canceled due to coronavirus concerns. That donated blood is needed by patients undergoing surgery, in urgent care or who suffer from chronic conditions. Here is a link to find your nearest blood drive.

Donation Opportunities:

• Meals on Wheels Chicago is maintaining their critical support delivering food to seniors, and has had to cancel their fundraising events for the spring. Please consider donating to help them continue their efforts.
• Chicago Hospitality Relief Guide is a directory of restaurant and bar employee fundraisers. Please donate to support their workers while we're in isolation!
• Chicago Hospitality United is selling t-shirts to benefit Chicago's hourly workers in teh hospitality community. 
• Marillac St. Vincent, a social service agency and food pantry, has launched a COVID-19 Relief Fund to help families living paycheck to paycheck, identifying hourly workers within their network to award them $50 micro-grants. Donate here.
• Pandemic of Love is a regional mutual aid program which matches up donors with recipients. If you'd like to sign up as a donor, please submit your information here or email pandemicoflovechicago@gmail.com for more information. 

Take-out/Delivery/Farmstand & Restaurant Availability:

• Dining At A Distance aggregates a list of what restaurants are open for take-out, curbside pick-up, or delivery during the lockdown of Chicago’s restaurants and bars during COVID-19.
• Green City Market is connecting consumers directly with local family farmers and artisans who are able to offer pick-up/delivery services to bring nutritious, sustainably-grown food directly to the people of Chicago. This page tells you how to place orders.