Resources During Covid
For Updated Information
- For updates about the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) schools closure and opening and additional resources please call 510-644-8931 or look at the BUSD website at berkeleyschools.net
- Berkeley Residents, call 311 (510-981-2489) for updates on ANY services available.
- Text ‘HOPE’ to 20121
- For Alameda county services call 211 (888-886-9660) for all updates or go to Alameda county resource finder
- For Contra Costa Services go to Contra-Costa county website
Meals
The Berkeley Unified School District Nutrition Department is serving FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH as take-away meals for school-age children 18 and younger.
Please continue to visit this page for schedule updates and locations.
Berkeley Ed Hub
The Ed Hub is BUSD’s centralized distribution site for all things teaching & learning during school facilities closure due to COVID-19. The drive-through site allows for BUSD students and their families to pull in, pick up essential learning supplies, and head back home while staying safely inside their car. Learn more here.
LOCATION: Berkeley Adult School (BAS) staff parking lot at the 1700 block of Curtis Street
HOURS: Open every Monday & Friday from 12 noon to 2:00 pm, Wednesday from 3:30-5:30 pm
Internet Access
If your family does not have access to a laptop or the internet, please leave a message at 510-644-8931. We are working on ways to support you. Comcast is offering free internet for 60 days for low income families, visit internetessentials.com for more information.
Food Needs
- The Berkeley Food Network’s on-site pantry will remain open during this period of COVID-19 containment as long as we are able to source food. Anyone in need of free food is welcome to visit. Be assured that our staff and volunteers are using recommended practices to ensure that everyone who visits our pantry stays healthy.
- When: Monday – Thursday 10am – 2pm; Monday and Wednesday 5 – 7pm; 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10am – 12pm
- Where: 1925 Ninth St., Berkeley (Enter through the door facing the parking lot).
- Alameda County Food Bank : 1-800-870-FOOD (3663) or 1-510-635-3663. You can also visit FoodNow
- Contra-Costa Food Bank: 1-855-309-3663 (FOOD) for help and information.
- Berkeley Food and Housing Project offers a weekday community meal program served by volunteers.
- When: Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri* 3:30–4:45pm *A free spaghetti meal is provided by the Lutheran Church of the Cross on Wednesdays from 3:30–5:30pm.
- Where: Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1744 University Ave, Berkeley, 94703
Work Concerns
- Unemployment: If you are laid off due to your business shutting down or reducing staff, you may apply for unemployment without a waiting period. Visit the EDD website.
- Disability: If you get sick and need to apply for disability, you can file a claim here with a medical provider’s authorization here
- Paid Family Leave: If your family member becomes sick and you must take care of them, you can file a claim for paid family leave and/or FMLA with a medical provider’s authorization: here
Help Paying Bills
Visit Alameda county website for assistance.
If you need help paying rent during this difficult period here are some resources:
- Alameda County Season of Sharing 510-272-3700
- Oakland residents only Catholic Charities 510-768- 3100
Medical CareFor suspected COVID-19 cases call your doctor.
You can also find a directory of medical providers for any or no insurance at: achealthcare.org |
Mental Health Services
- For psychiatric emergencies call the Mobile Crisis Number: (510) 981-5900 For support consultation or resources for uncomfortable thoughts call the Crisis Line: (510) 981-5244
- Alameda county teens who are feeling mentally unsafe can text ‘SAFE’ to 20121 between the hours of 4pm-11pm, to communicate with a counselor.
- Alameda County Suicide Prevention (Se hablan Español): 1-888-628-9454 For an immediate Alameda County mental health referral Call ACCESS (open 24/7): 1-800-491-9099
Important Social Distancing Guidance
City of Berkeley Public Health continues to help us assess social distancing guidance and other health agency directives. We are appreciative they provided information for our School Board at this week’s meeting and we look forward to their continued partnership as the coronavirus situation develops. “While this was not a public health recommendation, we know BUSD weighed many complex factors in its decision to close,” said Dr. Lisa Hernandez, the City of Berkeley’s Health Officer. “We will continue to partner with them as we work to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Dr. Hernandez advises everyone to continue to follow these important guidelines:
- WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY
- COVER YOUR COUGH
- STAY HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHERS WHEN ILL
Dr. Hernandez also emphasizes that while school is out, it is very important that everyone engage in “social distancing” to prevent the spread of the virus.
- STAY HOME AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE (EVEN IF NOT FEELING ILL)
- AVOID GATHERINGS
- STAY AWAY FROM OLDER ADULTS, such as grandparents, as well as those with chronic health conditions
You can also stay up to date on the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation at cityofberkeley.info/coronavirus
BAM PTA
The PTA understands this closure is going to be challenging to all families, and we will continue to support our community by updating our website with new resources as they become available and continuing BAM announcements to communicate important information.
As parents, we are navigating this difficult situation by finding comfort in our community. We encourage you to self-organize in your classes. A good place to start is by sharing updated contact information (phone numbers and emails) among your entire class, and to support your classmates as you feel comfortable.
We have also found the following resources that we can recommend. They are suggestions by parents and are not related to the districts own resources nor are they directly coming from the district or the school. Please use at your own discretion:
- A list of companies offering free online resources.