KY coronavirus help: Here’s where you can find assistance in Lexington, Central Kentucky.
From suddenly-unemployed workers to work-from-home parents, many of us are finding that we need help dealing with the economic and life fallout of the fight against coronavirus. While many traditional safety nets are strained, help is available throughout Central Kentucky.
We’re pulling together a collection of resources for workers, parents, renters, homeowners, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus outbreak. This list will be updated as needed. If you have a resource that can be added, please send it to Josh Moore at jmoore@herald-leader.com.
Also, check out the CivicLex COVID-19 Community Information Hub, which includes information on basic needs, staying helathy, help for small businesses and non-profits and more.
Commerce Lexington
Includes help links for individuals and businesses searching for assistance and guidance during the pandemic. https://www.commercelexington.com/coronavirus-resources.html
Economic Injury Disaster Loans
EIDLs are available to qualifying small businesses in all 120 Kentucky counties. Businesses can determine if they qualifying and can apply for loans through the Small Business Administration’s website (https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela) or by calling 800-659-2955.
Help with rent, housing
Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky Inc., provides free legal help in civil matters, including housing, in 37 counties in Eastern and Southern Kentucky. Click on https://www.ardfky.org/ or call 866-277-5733.
Feeding Kentucky
If you need help with food, Feeding Kentucky’s regional food banks serve all 120 Kentucky counties through partnerships with local food pantries and shelters.
A directory of local food pantries is available at https://feedingky.org/find/help/ or by calling (502)699-2656.
Feeding Kentucky also is trying to keep track of all food resources at www.feedkingky.org/coronavirus.
Food Chain
The non-profit commercial kitchen in downtown Lexington is distributing meals. Visit its website at http://foodchainlex.org/ or donate money via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=jUq7IfBpXB-HzFYG4NARR6H43GSPbyvGFN7JPrAXd7jJs_qBcGHcXKCxI7KLKZl57K-cUG&country.x=US&locale.x=US
God’s Pantry
God’s Pantry Food Bank, based in Lexington, serves food pantries in 50 counties in Central, Southern and Eastern Kentucky. The non-profit has a list of food pantries in those counties.
Monetary donations can be made at https://godspantry.org/donate/covid19/
Governor’s School for the Arts
The Kentucky GSA program has scheduled periodic virtual classes and meet-ups with and for artists in need of education or guidance. Events are listed on its Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/kentuckygsa/
Immanuel Baptist Church
IBC is accepting donations at the Recreational Outreach Center on its Tates Creek Road campus. Donation drop-off and pick-up hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. M-F and a list of requested materials can be found at https://ibclex.com/bethechurch
The Jockey Club
The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation is asking for donations to assist backstretch workers affected by the pandemic. All donations made to the fund will be designated for COVID-19 relief until further notice. https://bit.ly/2UmZVd8
Kentucky Career Center
Visit here for unemployment insurance claims: https://uiclaims.des.ky.gov/ebenefit/eben.htm
Lexington Mutual Aid
A local Facebook group that allows people to post what their needs or requests or what people have to offer in resources. https://www.facebook.com/groups/199450304659978/?multi_permalinks=203415737596768¬if_id=1584974412921588¬if_t=group_activity
Lex Stick Together
A compilation of local businesses that includes links to purchase gift cards. https://barleyandrye.co/lexsticktogether/
Mask Match Kentucky
A Google form created to help pair members of the public who have personal protective equipment with health-care professionals. https://bit.ly/3bxpKNx
Restaurant Workers Relief Program
Effective March 26, Great Bagel & Bakery’s location at 3650 Boston Road from 5-7 p.m. daily will be converted to a food and supply pick-up for out-of-work restaurant employees. Dontations can be made at LeeInitiative.org.
Rex Chapman
The former University of Kentucky and NBA star’s foundation for opioid relief has partnered with the Blue Grass Community Foundation to establish a relief fund for COVID-19. It will provide funds to any non-profit organizations that are providing support and aid to those impacted nationally. https://bgcf.givingfuel.com/rcf
Support local restaurants
With the help of VisitLex, which publishes an annual local dining guide called Beyond Grits, we’ve pulled together a list of local places offering take-out, curbside pickup, delivery and delivery via a third party service such as GrubHub, UberEats or DoorDash. Check it out here: https://www.kentucky.com/lexgoeat/restaurants/article241278906.html
World’s Biggest Tip Jar
Fireball Whisky is using GoFundMe to raising money for bartenders and service industry members. Donations will go to organizations like the USBG Bartender Emergency Assistance Program. Donations can me made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/BiggestTipJar
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 1:54 PM.