Living through the coronavirus pandemic is scary, confusing, and people are often left uncertain of what comes next. From parents and guardians homeschooling for the first time to setting a new record for consecutive days spent in your house, this new way of life is a big adjustment for everyone. This change has brought new circumstances that can make times even tougher for people in already difficult situations. Despite how overwhelmed you may be feeling, there are still several resources that offer help to get you through this trying time.
Family Services
Family Services is a non-profit organization that offers support to individuals who have or are currently experiencing sexual assault, family violence and domestic or child violence. They have two 24-hour crisis lines, one for sexual assault and one for general crises, and a shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children, all of which are open during the coronavirus. They also offer counseling services on a sliding fee scale, a way of paying for services based on how much a person can pay instead of having a flat rate, for people that live or work in Forsyth County.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 336-722-4475
Crisis Line: 336-723-8125
Samaritan Ministries
Located at 414 E Northwest Boulevard, Samaritan Ministries provides food for all, shelter for men and substance abuse recovery support. Their soup kitchen and Samaritan Inn are open all day, every day of the year. They also have a list of supplies they need at this time, including deodorant, soap bars and rain ponchos.
Soup Kitchen Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 11 am-1 pm
Sunday: 12 pm-2 pm
Shelter Hours:
Sunday-Saturday: Check-in is 7 pm-8 pm, Check-out is 7:30 am
United Way of Forsyth County
The United Way of Forsyth County offers help to navigate public services and provide basic needs for Forsyth County. They compile websites that help people find resources for housing and shelter, utilities, healthcare, food, mental health, substance use, household goods, clothing, disability services and employment opportunities. Their website also includes other local organizations that work to better the community as well as current supplies needed for those organizations.
Bethesda Center for the Homeless
Bethesda Center for the Homeless provides day, night and emergency shelter 365 days a year. They also provide case managers that make sure each person is receiving the services they need and help guests that are seeking permanent housing. They are located at 930 N Patterson Avenue.
WSFCS Resources
WSFCS is still supplying food pick up at select schools and delivery throughout the school closures. They also have instructional videos for eLearning and technology resources for parents and students that are transitioning to online learning.
Second Harvest Food Bank
The Second Harvest Food Bank gives people in Northwest North Carolina access to meals. They are providing children 18 years and younger free meals at certain meal sites and have other meal sites for service workers who are not working or whose hours have been reduced because of the pandemic. Childcare for infants to children up to 12 years old whose parents are a part of the emergency response for coronavirus or whose regular childcare has fallen through because of coronavirus is also available, in addition to help for applying for unemployment and food and nutrition services (food stamps). They also have allergy-friendly food.
Meal distributions are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 5pm-7pm.
For childcare call 1-888-600-1685.