COVID-19 Resources
Share Our Spare collects new and gently-used items for children ages 0-5 and donates them to low-income families living in Metropolitan Chicago. Items are not available directly: instead, Share our Spare reaches families in need by partnering with local social services organizations that provide their clients with needed social services such as parenting classes, early childhood education, housing referrals, job readiness training, and behavioral health services.
SNAP Online Purchasing Program
The Illinois Department of Human Services is offering online purchasing for more than 1.8 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers across a million households.
Online SNAP will give families easier access to food during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Busy parents will no longer have to stress about how they can pick their kids up from school and make it to the grocery store before dinner. And those working multiple jobs or the late shift won’t have to rush to make it before the store closes. All families will have another option to independently secure the food they need.
Social Distancing, Quarantine and Isolation Tips
Tips for social distancing, quarantine and isolation during an infectious disease outbreak from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Southern Illinois Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens and Mobile Markets
Southern Illinois Healthcare compiled this list of food pantries, soup kitchens and mobile markets in the following counties:
- Jackson
- Alexander
- Franklin
- Gallatin
- Hamilton
- Hardin
- Perry
- Pope
- Pulaski
- Williamson
- Johnson
- Massac
- Saline
- Union
- White
Southern Seven Health Department
The Southern Seven Health Department serves Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, and Union counties. Public health programs and services include health screenings and vaccinations, health education programs for children, teens, and adults, emergency preparedness, Head Start programs, health fairs, community events, podcasts and more.
SPARK (Supporting Parents and Remote Kids) Parent Hub
The Learning Technology Center of Illinois’s SPARK (Supporting Parents and Remote Kids) Parent Hub provides training and resources for Illinois parents and caregivers as they support students with remote learning.
Special Olympics School of Strength
Special Olympics has created a fitness video series in partnership with WWE for Special Olympics athletes, led by Special Olympics athletes. The fitness campaign targets athletes in their teens and late 20s and features four workout videos with varying levels of difficulty in flexibility, strength, balance and endurance exercises encouraging athletes to commit to a lifetime of fitness habits.
Special Shopping Hours During COVID-19 Outbreak
List of major grocery store chains with special hours for seniors, at-risk populations and pregnant women.
Springfield Mass Transit District and Access Sangamon
The Springfield Mass Transit District provides free or reduced fare programs for eligible residents with disabilities and seniors. You must meet eligibility requirements and enroll to use the Benefit Access, Access Sangamon or Reduced Fare ID programs. For the latest information, visit www.smtd.org/news.
- Benefit Access allows program members to ride any fixed-route bus free of charge. If you do not qualify for Benefit Access, you may still be eligible for a reduced fare ID. Apply for the Benefit Access program online on the Illinois Department on Aging’s website.
- The Reduced Fare ID allows people with disabilities and seniors to ride any fixed-route bus for just under half the price of a normal fare.
- Access Sangamon provides transportation for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the SMTD fixed-route bus service. Individuals with disabilities must apply to become eligible to use the service.
Springfield Office of Community Relations Resources
The Springfield Office of Community Relations provides information on where to find help with homelessness, rental and utility assistance, micro-pantries and more.
You can also contact the Springfield Office of Community Relations at (217) 789.2270 or Community.Relations@springfield.il.us