Columbus Community Resources COVID-19
General Information
United Way supports 211, a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Locally, if you are in need of assistance during this time, you can call 211, or text your zip code to 898-211 or visit www.211uwcv.org.
Coronavirus Information
The state of Georgia has a main hotline for any concerns about the virus 1-844-442-2681.
The Health Department has an information line. You can leave a message and the health department will respond within 24 hours 1-855-962-0955, or you may view information on the website www.dph.georgia.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/
Coronavirus Testing
Columbus
Because our area is limited in test kits, not everyone will be tested. The Health Dept has a screening hotline 706-321-6300 or 1-855-962-0955. They will determine if you meet the criteria to be tested and will refer you for testing at either the Health Department drive thru testing or Mercy Med. People cannot go to Mercy Med or Piedmont Hospital to get tested; they must be screened first.
Cascade Hills/Mercy Med
The testing site, located at Cascade Hills Church will operate Friday April 3 & Saturday April 4 from 9-6, Sunday April 5 from 1-6, and Monday April 6 from 9 – 6 or until supplies are depleted.
Phenix City
Alabama Health Dept hotline is 1-888-264-2256. They are requesting that people call the hotline first and then they will be referred to a testing site if symptomatic. You can also go online for information at adph.org.
Veterans/Active Duty/Dependents
Call the nurse advice line for screening at Ft Benning Covid19 Hotline 762-408-2819.
Mon-Fri, 0900-1630
Food
Enrichment Services Drive - thru food pick-up, Saturday, April 18th at Cascade Hills.
ST. Anne’s Community Outreach - Next food distribution will be April 11 from 9am to 11am.
SNAP is not opened to offer services face-to-face - For Georgia, individuals should apply online at https://gateway.ga.gov/access/ as in person options are closed for now. They can also call directly at Customer Contact Center Toll-Free: (877) 423-4746.
Grocery Delivery/Pick-up Options (require phone/app/internet) *order delivery may take a few days and has a fee
Instacart https://www.instacart.com/ Will deliver, with a fee, from the following stores: Publix, Aldi, CVS, Sam’s Club, Petco, The Fresh Market, Target
Wal-Mart Grocery Pick-up is free/Delivery with charge
Sam’s Club for those seniors and at-risk will take your list and shop for you during special hours Tuesday and Thursday 7:00-9:00
Feeding Program for School Children
Muscogee County School District will extend free “grab and go” meal services for students, 0 to 18 years old, during the system-wide closure for the remainder of the school year. Here are the sites and times:
Student meals will be provided each of those days, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the following schools:
- Baker Middle School
- Carver High School
- J.D. Davis Elementary School
- Dawson Elementary School
- Double Churches Middle School
- Fox Elementary School
- Key Elementary School
- Spencer High School
- Jordan High,
- Midland Academy
- Hannan School
Buses also will deliver meals during that time period at the following sites:
- Elizabeth Canty Apartments
- Chase Homes
- Eagle Trace Apartments
- Jordan Vocational High School
- Kendrick High School (front of school area)
- Midland Academy
- Warren Williams Apartments
- Whisperwood Apartments
-
Wilson Apartments
Transportation
Metra Buses and Dial-a-Ride
Metra is still running the same routes and times for their buses. They are sanitizing the buses and asking people to practice social distancing on the bus.
Rent/Utilities
GA Power
GA Power will not do any residential disconnections for the next 30 days. Ages 65 and older can receive up to $24 a month off their bill. Be aware of any fraudulent calls where someone is demanding payment over the phone; this is not GA Power.
Columbus Water Works
Service disconnections will be suspended until April 13th.
St. Anne Community Outreach
The March waiting list for help is full, but the rental assistance line will re-open at 11 a.m. April 21 (706-568-1592).
Hope Harbour
This program provides resources and housing for those experiencing domestic violence. They expect an increase in domestic violence during this time. Their hotline is 706-324-3850.
Safe House SafeHouse Ministries at 2101 Hamilton Road has opened an emergency shelter.
The emergency shelter will operate daily from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. and is accepting anyone in need of shelter regardless of their situation. No questions will be asked and no one refused.
Contact Neil Richardson, executive director of SafeHouse Ministries, at 706-575-1483 for more information.
New Horizons is still assisting the disabled homeless population (706) 596-5500 *ask for Virginia
Enrichment Services – Priority for this month’s utility assistance is given to the elderly population.
Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry
The ministry is closed to the public until further notice, but will continue to offer Direct Service assistance through telephone interviews, focusing on rent and mortgage assistance. Leave your name and contact information at 706-327-2836 to schedule an appointment.
Salvation Army
The Columbus Salvation Army offers rent and utility payment assistance. Call 706-327-0275 for more information.
SafeHouse
SafeHouse Ministries at 2101 Hamilton Road has opened an emergency shelter.
The emergency shelter will operate daily from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. and is accepting anyone in need of shelter regardless of their situation. No questions will be asked and no one refused.
Contact Neil Richardson, executive director of SafeHouse Ministries, at 706-575-1483 for more information.
Prescriptions
CVS is now offering delivery.
Nugent Pharmacy Woodruff Farm Shopping Center is offering delivery.
Veterans/Active Duty may opt to have prescriptions temporarily routed to Walgreens (currently accepting Tricare) by calling your nearest Walgreens and asking the pharmacy to obtain your prescriptions from Martin Army Community Hospital. Please note: some medicines will have co-pays.
Note: You may call your primary care physician and request refills to stock up
Internet/Wi-Fi Options
Charter/Spectrum is offering 60 days free wifi for all K-12 students (844) 488-8395
Comcast--Internet Essentials Free to New Customers: As announced yesterday, it’s even easier for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign-up for Internet Essentials, the nation’s largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program. New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month. Additionally, for all new and existing Internet Essentials customers, the speed of the program’s Internet service was increased to 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. That increase will go into effect for no additional fee and it will become the new base speed for the program going forward. New Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service if they apply by April 30, 2020. After promotion, regular rates apply. https://www.internetessentials.com/apply
Find Georgia public wi-fi at the link below:
https://broadband.georgia.gov/georgia-internet-access-covid-19-update
Other
Goodwill Career Center:
Phone: 706-256-1837
Remotely processing taxes at https://www.goodwillsr.org/vita
Access 2 Independence—by phone at (706) 405-2393 or email info@access2independence.com
Aging and Disability Resource Connection Hotline
Offers resources for seniors and those who have disabilities.
1-800-615-4379
(706) 256-2900
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency is not open to the public but they may be able to assist clients that are currently receiving employment services (706) 649-7400
Small Business Owners:
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
Unemployment:
https://dol.georgia.gov/regular-unemployment-insurance-ui
Georgia Health Department:
Website: www.westcentralhealthdistrict.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestCentralHealthDistrictGA