Community Resources

Caring Committee

If you, or someone you know in the congregation needs support due to illness, injury or frailty, we are here to help.  Please contact us with your request.  We do our best to provide food support, rides, help figuring out possible resources, and contact, pastoral or otherwise. Email caring@tbhrichmond.org or call Marilyn Herzberg and she will work on organizing the help you need.

Financial Support

  • COVID-19  Related Loans. San Francisco’s Hebrew Free Loan Association just launched lending programs offering up to $20,000 in interest-free borrowing to individuals and small businesses for pandemic-related needs. Click here for more information. You can also  call (415) 546-9902 x110 or e-mail info@hflasf.org.
  • Determine eligibility and apply for public assistance programs, including CalFresh (Food Stamps), EBT, health insurance including Medi-Cal at My Benefits CalWin  24-Hour Automated Toll Free Benefits Information Telephone System  1-(877) 505-4630 (Inf0)
  • Contra Costa Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD)  1-925-957-5647
  • Federal and California income tax filings and payments are extended to July 15.  Refunds are being processed for filed returns on an ongoing basis 
  • Federal student loan servicers are directed to grant an administrative forbearance to any borrower with a federally held loan who requests one. Borrowers should contact their loan servicer online or by phone.  More information on Federal Student Aid here.
  • California Support for Small Businesses.  Numerous links. 

Food Resources

Low income households may apply to receive food at the Pantry between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays or Fridays.  It is necessary to show ID and to declare the monthly household income. For families of six or more it is necessary to show some form of ID (for example, California Medical card or school ID) for each member of the household.Once approved, households may pick up food one time per month on any Tuesday or Friday between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Meals on Wheels clients must be 60 years of age or older, homebound and unable to purchase or prepare regular nutritious meals for themselves, and have no one else available to do so.

  • City of San Pablo Senior Meal and Nutrition Programs, Church Lane Senior Center; 1943 Church Lane.

Once a week pick-up for 7 days of frozen meals.  Currently Tuesdays only 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM.  Reservations must be made the Monday before Tuesday scheduled pick-up by 12:30 PM.  More information 510-215-3098 or email seniors@sanpabloca.gov

The Souper Center is still operating, particularly with bag lunches. 

Grocery Store Changes and Accommodations for Seniors

Target 

  • Closing all stores by 9 p.m. daily
  • Reserving the first hour of shopping every Wednesday for our most vulnerable guests, including those over 65 years old, pregnant women or those defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as vulnerable or at-risk.
  • Staffing up services like Order Pickup and Drive Up. However, due to high demand, we are facing delays.

Albertsons Stores (Safeway, Andronicos) 

At a minimum, the company will reserve every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 a.m. for those vulnerable shoppers who must leave home to obtain their groceries, unless otherwise locally mandated. Customers should check their store’s hours if they’re opening on a different schedule.

Safeway  

DriveUp & Go.  Shop online and we’ll bring the groceries to your cart.

Save Mart, FoodMaxx and Lucky 

These stores have set aside every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 am to 9 a.m. for higher risk populations to shop.

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market stores will let customers who are 60 and older shop one hour at 8 AM before opening to the public at 9 AM.

Raleys

We will have two unique Senior Essentials Bags available for purchase at a discounted price. These bags can be picked up daily curbside or in-store. We will make every effort to meet demand.

Trader Joe’s 

Berkeley Bowl 

  • Changing our hours of operation (10am – 7pm) to better clean, sanitize and stock our stores.
  • All senior citizens will be able to shop at 9am (1 hour before the store opens).
  • Crowd control (Limit how many customers can shop at a time) in both stores.

Smart & Final

Store hours 8 AM – 8PM.  Seniors and others at risk 7:30-8:00 AM.  Limits on some products

Health Care Resources

NeedyMeds 1-800-503-6897 

Listings of patient assistance programs such as free, low-cost, and sliding scale clinics; disease-based assistance; camps and retreats; scholarships, drug coupons, and rebates;application assistance; and government resources

Partnership for Prescription Assistance 1-888-477-2669

At no cost, helps qualifying patients, who do not have prescription drug coverage, get free or low-cost medicines through public or private programs.

RxAssist

Resource center with information about patient assistance programs,Medicare Part D, programs for low-cost medications, and any other issues related to pharmaceutical access.

Emotional and Other Support

Jewish Family & Children’s Services

  • (JFCS) is offering a wide variety of free services including:
  • Food banks and home-delivery of groceries/supplies
  • Counseling, consultation, and advice services available by phone, video conference (including help for children and parents coping with the crisis.)
  • JFCS Bay Area Critical Help Line at 1-415-449-3700.
  • Additional assistance lines:    
  • Parents – call 1-415-359-2443
  • Families and adults – call 1-415-449-1212
  • Seniors and disabled care – call 1-415-449-3700
  • Blog posts on: Supporting Our Children in Difficult Times and Tips on How to Help Kids Feel Safe and Manage Stress
  • For JFCS East Bay assistance, call 1-510-704-7475 in Alameda County and 1-925-927-2000 in Contra Costa County

Mental Health Access Line   Contra Costa Health Service

  • 1-888-678-7277 24-hour line. Information and resource referral line for mental health and substance use service
  • 1-800-833-2900 for 24-hour crisis support.

211 (United Way)

  • 1-800-833-2900 for 24-hour crisis support.

Bay Area Jewish Healing Center is responding to this pandemic by creating spiritual care resources that can be accessed from home or phone to address the current situation.

Shalom Bayit​​​​​ is the Bay Area’s center for domestic violence prevention and response within the Jewish community. Call 866.SHALOM.7 for free, confidential support.

Resources

Extensive listing of resources in many fields, many not just for seniors, with contact information and short description of services.

Probably an abridged version of the above with names and phone numbers focused on West Contra Costa.

Employee/Employer Rights in California

If your employment has been impacted, visit the Labor & Workforce Development Agency website to review your benefits. 

  • If you lost your job or had reduced hours for reasons related to COVID-19 you may qualify for unemployment insurance. File A Claim Here
  • If you are unable to work due to medical quarantine or illness related to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) you may qualify for Disability Insurance. File a claim here
  • If you or a family member are sick or for preventative care when civil authorities recommend quarantine you may qualify for paid sick leave. File a Claim Here
  • If you are unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) you may qualify for Paid Family Leave. File A Claim Here
  • Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the coronavirus impact on the economy may apply for the UI Work Sharing Program.