People's Alliance Members -- 

PA has signed onto several important platforms calling for a just, progressive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please sign on yourself and share widely!

• NC United for Social and Economic Survival and Beyond is demanding our state government allocate money to meet people’s urgent needs caused by COVID-19.
• Raise Up NC is calling on McDonald’s to give all its workers paid sick leave. Last week, Raise Up workers went on virtual strike for this and other demands. Hear directly from those workers on strike about why they were taking a stand here!
• The Durham Association of Educators is demanding immediate relief for NC public school employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resources for the Durham community

PA is also continuing to uplift important resources for our community members in need as well as ways to provide mutual aid. This week, we’re highlighting important resources and mutual aid for Durham families with kids, nonprofits, and small businesses.

Please note: these resources have been recommended by PA members. However, the PA has not independently verified their accuracy, legitimacy, or safety; and the PA disclaims responsibility for them. Thus, you assume any and all risks associated with accessing these resources if you decide to do so. We wish all Durham community members the best during these difficult times. Please see previous blog posts for additional resource lists.

The PA Education Team has compiled updates on Durham Public Schools and COVID-19 Response:

• Educational resources for parents can be found here.
• Resources for meals can be found here.
• The Durham Public Schools Foundation (DPS Foundation) has announced an initiative to deliver prepared meals, produce, canned goods, books, and other supplies to 1,500+ DPS families on a weekly basis for at least the next two months. Click here to volunteer or donate in support of these efforts.

(EN ESPAÑOL ABAJO) Last week, the state announced that parents who need food assistance for their children can text FOODNC to 877-877 to locate nearby free meal sites. The texting service is also available in Spanish by texting COMIDA to 877-877. After entering their address, parents will receive a text with the location and serving times for nearby pick-up and drive-thru free meal sites while schools are closed. Sites have been set up across the state for families with children ages 18 and younger, including preschool children, who rely on free and reduced-price meals at school.

El estado anunció que los padres que necesiten asistencia alimentaria para sus hijos pueden enviar el texto FOODNC al 877-877 para localizar sitios cercanos de alimentos gratuitos. Después de ingresar su dirección, los padres recibirán un mensaje de texto con la ubicación y horas de servicio de los sitios cercanos de alimentos gratuitos para llevar o recoger en ventanilla, mientras las escuelas están cerradas. Se han establecido sitios en todo el estado para aquellas familias con niños menores de 18 años, incluidos los de edad preescolar, que dependen de alimentos escolares gratuitos o a precio reducido.

The Southern Vision Alliance’s Frontlines Leaders Fund is opening up COVID-19 Community Response grants. These will be small grants of up to $500, available to neighborhood-based and local organizing efforts in response to COVID-19. Priority will be given to efforts led by workers, LGBTQ people, youth and students, Black people and people of color, rural communities, migrants, and families. Apply here.

In response to COVID-19, Duke is making a multi-million dollar commitment to establish three new initiatives that will support members of the university and our local community: the Duke Student Assistance Fund, the Duke Health COVID-19 Response Fund, and a $5 million commitment through the Duke-Durham Fund to address the needs of local residents and assist in the recovery and renewal of Durham. Community-based organizations that are addressing immediate, basic needs such as food, shelter, and childcare for individuals and families affected by the pandemic can apply to $500 - $5,000 grants from the Duke-Durham Fund. Find out more here.

The U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program offers a loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis. If you are a small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons), private non-profit organization, or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by coronavirus/COVID-19, visit their website to learn more. (Note: independent financial institutions are responsible for receiving loan applications and extending loans. There are limits on their capacity to do so.)