Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • Seattle Turns Soda Tax Revenue into Emergency Grocery Vouchers During Pandemic Audio icon

    When Seattle passed its tax on sugar-sweetened beverages like soda in 2018, the program met a lot of resistance. But now, amid the coronavirus pandemic, the city is drawing on this tax revenue to provide $800 emergency grocery vouchers to families in need.

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  • Mission-Driven Lenders Already Providing Assistance to Vulnerable Businesses During COVID-19

    The Business Center for New Americans, a nonprofit that offers loans with a focus on immigrant-run businesses, is going above and beyond to make sure its lenders get through the COVID-19 economic crisis. They are offering tailored support on how to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, sharing other grant and loan opportunities, and using its status part of the SBA’s Microloan Program to offer new loans.

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  • Why More Homeless Shelters Are Welcoming Their Clients' Pets

    Studies show that between 5-10 percent of people living in homelessness are believed to have a pet, which could be a barrier to folks looking to spend the night in shelters that do not allow animals. Springs Rescue Mission in Colorado Springs is one of a number of shelters that are beginning to allow pets to board along with their owners in an effort to bring more people in. Animal companionship is a very important relationship and source of comfort and stability for someone experiencing homelessness. Some barriers still exist, however, like shelters that have little funding for sheltering pets.

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  • Coronavirus Closures Are Wiping Out Artists' Income. These Cities Want to Help

    In the state of Massachusetts, both Boston and Cambridge are offering financial relief to artists who have lost their source of income due to the social distancing guidelines mandated by the coronavirus pandemic. Boston established their artist relief fund on March 12, 2020, offering no-strings-attached allocations of $1,000. The city of Cambridge is matching funds with donations from the Cambridge Community Foundation, New England Development, and other donors. Both immediately received hundreds of applications and are acting now to secure more funding. The city of Denver, CO is also following their lead.

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  • San Antonio Food Bank on Front Lines of Coronavirus Preparation

    As the novel coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, the San Antonio Food Bank is working with other organizations to get more food out into the community. Although volunteer turnout has decreased, the Texas food bank has partnered with groups like Pre-K 4 SA to hand out food to students and their families. Every day, the food bank says it is sending $500,000 worth of food into the community.

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  • In The Age of Coronavirus, Libraries Are Getting Books Into People's Hands — Without Touching

    As public libraries in the United States are forced to close their doors in response to the coronavirus outbreak, librarians are trying new methods of (safely) getting books in the hands of community members. From organizing curbside pickups to books-by-mail services, librarians are adjusting and improvising.

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  • How Bartenders and Wait Staff Are Making Up for Lost Tips During COVID-19 Quarantine

    Bartenders and restaurant workers rely heavily on tips and often work off the books, which puts them in a unique disadvantage when trying to collect financial aid during this pandemic. Some have thought of creative ways to stay in touch with regular customers to ask for tips and others have sought relief from Restaurant Opportunities Centers United which has a membership of 30,000 restaurant workers and has provided half a million dollars in funding. The organization has sought to provide immediate help and is also pushing for long-term structural change such as paid sick leave.

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  • In Seattle, School Is Out, But Lunch Is Still In

    After Seattle schools closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, school staff quickly mobilized to ensure there would still be a way to distribute free food to students and their families. As the crisis unfolds, the distribution model will likely evolve to best meet the need, organizers explain.

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  • Bodegas and Corner Stores Are Part of Crisis Response — They're Also Uniquely Vulnerable

    Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, bodegas offer local supplies in many food deserts across the country. While the bodegas struggle to find funding and stay in business for their neighborhoods, they also fight their way into policy discussions and micro-loan programs to stay afloat for low-income neighbors needing healthy food options.

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  • Can Volunteer-Run Online Platforms to Support Neighbors In Need Meet Demand? Audio icon

    As social distancing becomes increasingly important as cities and states work to control the coronavirus outbreak, people in New York are finding creative ways to communicate in order to help one another. In New York City, community members are utilizing a website where volunteers are matched with their vulnerable neighbors' requests for errands, while in Brooklyn, community organizers are using a spreadsheet to connect and find support.

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