The SKCP Blog
Filtering by Tag: coronavirus
Washing Machine? Oven? Broccoli Steamer?
Does putting a reusable mask in the oven for 30 minutes at 165 degrees Fahrenheit kill the virus that causes COVID-19 and other pathogens? If not, how do I clean it?
2020 Real Estate Tax due date policy
South Kensington Community Partners
To offer relief to Philadelphia homeowners during the COVID-19 coronavirus emergency, the City of Philadelphia has moved the 2020 Real Estate Tax due date to June 15, 2020.
Similarly, the Department has extended the deadline to apply for an installment payment plan for 2020 Real Estate Tax. All senior citizens over the age of 65, and eligible low income homeowners can apply for this installment plan by June 15, 2020.
For more information about applying for a Real Estate Tax installment plan, please visit:
http://www.phila.gov/real-estate-relief
COVID-19 INFORMATION
South Kensington Community Partners
Download here the complete details.
Philadelphia has launched a new website that allows residents to search for food and meal sites around the city
Food sites in the neighborhood
Student meal sites in the neighborhood
Senior meal sites in the neighborhood
Coalition Against Hunger
SNAP Hotline at 215-430-0556, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Coronavirus Testing sites for anyone with symptoms.
Testing sites in the neighborhood:
Click here to access the map
This tool can help you find a free COVID-19 test in Philadelphia.
(See our FAQ for more information about who should get tested.)
SKCP staff connects you to resources
South Kensington Community Partners
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the office is closed to public visits until further notice, SKCP staff will be working remotely.
SKCP staff are specially trained to connect folks with resources related to housing, health insurance, utilities, food assistance, and other increasingly critical support, and will continue to be responsive to:
email info@southkensingtoncommunity.org
phone calls (215-427-3463), please be sure to leave a detailed message with your name and phone number, so we can provide you with as much service as possible in these trying times.
SIGN UP FOR THE NEIGHBOR SUPPORT TEAM
SKCP COVID 19: MORE WAYS TO HELP
RED CROSS Blood Drive
South Kensington Community Partners
WMGK & The Fillmore to host Red Cross blood drive
29 E Allen Street
May 28 and 29
8.30am - 1.30pm
The Fillmore and 102.9 WMGK are stepping up to host a special two-day blood drive with the American Red Cross on May 28 and 29, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to help ensure hospital patients continue to have access to lifesaving blood during the coronavirus pandemic. The drive will be held at The Fillmore, located at 29 E. Allen St., Philadelphia. In alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance, donation appointments are required to observe social distancing, and donors must wear a face covering. To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org (click on "see times") and enter sponsor code Fillmore or call 1-800-REDCROSS.
As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, all who come to give blood or platelets May 15-31 will receive a special Red Cross “We’re all in this together” T-shirt, by mail, while supplies last. Donors must have a valid email address on file to claim their T-shirt.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to safeguard donors, volunteers and employee
Availability of Donation Appointments
To support social distancing, appointments are now required. With thousands of blood drives cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are working hard to open new donation sites. If you don’t see available appointments near you in the near future, please search 7-10 days out. The need for blood is constant - patients need your help.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
South Kensington Community Partners
Download here the complete details.
Philadelphia has launched a new website that allows residents to search for food and meal sites around the city
Food sites in the neighborhood
Student meal sites in the neighborhood
Senior meal sites in the neighborhood
Coalition Against Hunger
SNAP Hotline at 215-430-0556, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Coronavirus Testing sites for anyone with symptoms.
Testing sites in the neighborhood:
Click here to access the map
This tool can help you find a free COVID-19 test in Philadelphia.
(See our FAQ for more information about who should get tested.)
If you are reporting on a project in the neighborhood, have questions or concerns send to: rco@southkensingtoncommunity.org
Philly 311 Hours
Philly311’s contact center remains open from 8 a.m. to 8 pm Monday through Friday and will also be open extended hours of 9 a.m. to 5 pm this weekend, May 8 and 9.
Residents can place a service request by calling 3-1-1ordialing (215) 686-8686 or through submitting service requests online.
Language translation services are available
COVID-19 NEWS & INFORMATION
South Kensington Community Partners
Philadelphia has launched a new website that allows residents to search for food and meal sites around the city
Find free food and meals during Covid-19 (in several languages) clicking here.
+Food sites in the neighborhood:
West Kensington Ministry, 2140 N Hancock St (Philabundance)
Residents can get one box per household
Eligibility: Any resident is eligible. No ID or proof of income is required
Pickup details:
Monday 10AM - 12PM non-perishable items only
Thursday 10AM - 12PM fresh produce only
+Student meal sites in the neighborhood:
Kensington Creative & Performing Arts High School, 1901 N. Front St. (Philadelphia School District schools)
Eligibility: All children and youth are eligible. No ID is required.
Pickup details: Thursday 9AM - 12PM, 10 meals per child
John F. Street Community Center, 1100 Poplar St. (Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) community centers)
Eligibility: All children and youth are eligible. No ID is required.
Pickup details:
Monday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
Tuesday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
Wednesday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
Thursday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
Friday 9AM - 12PM Breakfast and lunch
William H. Hunter School, 2400 N. Front St. (Philadelphia School District schools)
EligibilityAll children and youth are eligible. No ID is required.
Pickup details
Thursday9AM - 12PM10 meals per child
+Senior meal sites in the neighborhood:
Lutheran Settlement House, 1340 Frankford Ave. (PCA-supported sites call 215-426-8610)
Eligibility: Adults 60 and over are eligible at sites supported by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Seniors must call ahead to reserve meals prior to pickup.
Northern Living Center, 827 N Franklin St. (PCA-supported sites, 215-978-1300)
Eligibility: Adults 60 and over are eligible at sites supported by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Seniors must call ahead to reserve meals prior to pickup.
CHCS Norris Square Center, 2121 N. Howard St (PCA-supported sites 215-423-7241)
Eligibility: Adults 60 and over are eligible at sites supported by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA). Seniors must call ahead to reserve meals prior to pickup.
Coalition Against Hunger
SNAP Hotline at 215-430-0556, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Coronavirus Testing sites for anyone with symptoms.
Open to all ages: Where anyone with symptoms can get tested for coronavirus in Philadelphia. You can call for an appointment at 32 locations across the city.. [BillyPenn Staff].
Click here for more details and use the interactive map.
Testing sites in the neighborhood:
Call your doctor before visiting if you may have COVID-19. Source: CDC
American Family Care (AFC) Urgent Care
180 W. Girard Ave. (below Acme at 2nd & Girard), call (267) 319-804711th Street Family Health Services
850 N. 11th St. (11th and Parrish), call (215) 769-1100Health Center #6
301 W. Girard Ave call (215) 685-3800PHMC Health Connection
1900 N 9th St. #104, call (215) 765-6690
Resources for Immigrants During COVID-19:
A new blog post that highlights information and resources for immigrant and refugee communities is available on the City’s COVID-19 website, where you can find additional translated information. It also includes information about other services offered by our community partners. The resource is available in many languages. And, to make sure that it remains relevant, we will make sure to keep it updated.
You can also visit the main COVID-19 website or call 311 if you have more questions about city services. Interpretation services are available when calling 311.
Philly COVID-19 FAQ
This site is an effort to provide easy access to accurate information and reporting that addresses the questions Philadelphians have about the coronavirus pandemic’s effects on life and work in the city. It is populated with reporting from local newsrooms across the city, and includes frequently asked questions, answers to which have been sourced from verified government sites or institutions.
We are not able to address medical or urgent questions, or those unique to your personal situation.
If you have questions of a medical nature, please call 1-800-722-7112.
If you’d like to submit a question please visit our submissions page or text COVIDphl19 to 73224.
The contents of this FAQ can be easily and cleanly embedded into your organization/company website with a simple line of code. If you’d like to make this information available to your website visitors, please contact julie@resolvephilly.org
More here.
TRANSIT SERVICE UPDATE
Regular Schedules RESUME - Sunday, May 17/Monday, May 18, 2020
Service returns on all Bus*, Trolley, Market Frankford, Broad Street and Norristown High Speed Line Routes following the timetables in effect before the COVID-19 crisis began. FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CLICK HERE.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
PUA provides up to 39 weeks of benefits to qualifying individuals who are otherwise able to work and available for work within the meaning of applicable state law, except that they are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work due to COVID-19 related reasons, as defined in the CARES Act. Benefit payments under PUA are retroactive, for weeks of unemployment, partial employment, or inability to work due to COVID-19 reasons starting on or after January 27, 2020. The CARES Act specifies that PUA benefits cannot be paid for weeks of unemployment ending after December 31, 2020.
Click here to file PUA claim and click here for PUA Claimant Guide
How a Philly Chef Is Using Tamales to Support Immigrant Workers During Coronavirus
South Kensington Community Partners
Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé, phillymag.com
In collaboration with Lost Bread Co., Ana Caballero has cooked up a plan to help restaurant workers who are not eligible for government support. “I was just sitting at home feeling so helpless,” she said. “There are a lot of people I work with who are undocumented, or for other reasons, unable to get support from the government — even though they have taxes taken out of their paychecks just like everybody else. I wanted to do something to actually put some money in their pocket, because it’s crazy to think that people can survive for two or three months without even a lick of income.” In partnership with Lost Bread Co., Caballero came up with Proyecto Tamal (details here) a weekly sale of tamales which she makes in collaboration with a different family each week.
Read more here.
FOOD RESOURCES
South Kensington Community Partners
FOOD
An initiative to boost Hispanic restaurants during the Coronavirus Crisis by marketing their availability for delivery and "take-out".
The Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GPHCC), in partnership with Finanta, Community First Fund, Widener University SBDC, and Aclamo, has created an initiative to help Hispanic-owned restaurants market their availability for takeout and delivery services called Dine Latino Take-Out Weekend, to be held April 3-5th. The open call for restaurants to sign up starts now via GPHCC’s dedicated website.SNAP HOTLINE: SNAP hotline and other resource for those who need and those who want to donate. Residents of Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia counties can call 215-430-0556, Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. More here.
Where to find free, nutritious food during COVID-19. An up-to-date list of sites is available here, This map includes food sites The public is encouraged to verify sites by calling 311
Food distributors now sell restaurant quality meat and produce directly to consumers. More here from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Philabundance: Get Involved
The faces of hunger are varied and plentiful - so are the number of ways you can help. Click here for details to volunteer.
What to know about the coronavirus stimulus checks — and how and when you get your money
South Kensington Community Partners
Christian Hetrick, Philadelphia Inquirer
Many Americans will soon receive direct payments from the federal government after the U.S. Senate passed a $2.2 trillion rescue package late Wednesday to combat the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The House was expected to pass the measure Friday, the largest economic stimulus in modern American history. The money could especially help Philadelphia, the nation’s poorest big city, where many people work in hotel, airline, and restaurant industries ravaged by the halt in economic activity.
Click here for answers to some common questions about the coronavirus stimulus checks
City of Philadelphia Resources & Information Available
South Kensington Community Partners
Find free meals for students while schools are closed. March 14, 2020
Sarah Reyes Office of Children and Families, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Office of the Mayor
To ensure that students can still have nutritious meals while all schools are closed, the School District of Philadelphia, several charter schools, and the Philadelphia Housing Authority are coordinating with the City’s Office of Children and Families to provide grab-and-go meals for children and youth throughout the city.
Beginning Monday, March 23, families can pick up meals at 80 locations listed here.. Please note the new schedule and locations.
Meals are available from 9 a.m. to noon only. All children and youth are eligible, and no ID is required.
What’s open, closed, or canceled at Parks & Rec sites
Darren Fava, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Here’s the latest update from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation about what’s open to the public, and what’s not.
These actions are part of the City’s effort to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus in Philadelphia.
Please note that the information applies through at least Friday, March 27. A precise end date has not been determined. Note that the meal distribution at Recs has been cancelled.
More details click here.
Utilities and Housing
PECO suspends shut-offs and late fees till May 1, click here.
PWD is suspending water service shut offs and restoring water service through May 15th, click here.
Public Utilities Commission (PUC): PUC Prohibits Utility Terminations, Consistent with Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency Related to Covid19, click here.
Foreclosure and Evictions suspended for 60 days, click here.
PHA suspending evictions
Pennsylvania Workers Affected by COVID-19 May be Eligible for Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation Benefits. 03/16/2020
Harrisburg, PA – Workers in Pennsylvania who are impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for Unemployment and Workers' Compensation benefits, Secretary of Labor & Industry (L&I) Jerry Oleksiak announced today.
Unemployment compensation claims should be submitted online for faster processing
More details here.
Using sick leave in Philadelphia, March 9, 2020
Sarah Reyes Board of Health, Department of Public Health, Mayor’s Office of Labor
Right to Sick Leave: Employers with 10 or more employees are required to provide paid sick leave, and employers with nine or fewer employees must allow unpaid leave. Infographics in English for workers and employers, and Spanish for workers and employers.
Click here to download the infographics in English and Spanish as PDF
More details click here.
Unemployment benefits in Pa. during the coronavirus pandemic: How to apply and who is eligible
Juliana Feliciano Reyes, Philadelphia Inquirer
If you’re one of the workers who has been affected by the pandemic — say, your employer had to shut down because of Mayor Kenney’s Monday order or you’re in self-quarantine and can’t work — there’s a good chance you’re eligible for unemployment benefits from the state.
More details here.
What you need to know about filing for unemployment in PA right now
Layla A. Jones, BillyPenn
You might be able to get benefits even if you’re not yet laid off. If you’re out of a job because of coronavirus-related business closures, you could get unemployment or worker’s comp pay. Apply for benefits immediately if you’re in that situation, Philly and Pennsylvania officials say. In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the state has changed requirements so more people will qualify for benefits. Details here.
Engaging PHL COVID-19 Updates: Essential City services remain open for residents
South Kensington Community Partners
We are facing a difficult time because of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. While non-essential City operations are halted to help stem the spread, many City services are available for residents.
Below you will find resources, tips, and guidance from Mayor Kenney on how we can all stay safe and informed during this outbreak.
If you have any questions about the City's response to the COVID-19 virus, please email our office at public.engagement@phila.gov
A message from South Kensington Community Partners
South Kensington Community Partners
UPDATE ON COVID-19
South Kensington Community Partners is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation in our region. The safety and wellbeing of our neighbors and staff is of the upmost importance to our organization.
Operational Updates:
Until further notice, the SKCP office will remain open to the public. We ask that any visitors refrain from shaking hands, hugging, or any other physical contact with SKCP staff. Additionally, we request that visitors practice good hygiene by regularly and thoroughly washing their hands and coughing or sneezing into their elbows.
We ask that any community members in need of assistance who are experiencing cold or flu symptoms remain at home and call (215-427-3463) or email (info@southkensingtoncommunity.org) the office instead. If necessary, video conferencing arrangements can be made.
As of today, the Census Action Day scheduled for March 21th, the Census Informational Meeting for March 23 and the Community Zoning Meeting Scheduled for March 25 will proceed as planned. Attendance at both events is anticipated to be below the 250 person threshold at which the City of Philadelphia has recommended cancellation. If you will require remote attendance accommodations due to illness or health vulnerability, please call or email the SKCP office as soon as possible.
Any members of the public seeking to use SKCP's on-site computer will be asked to thoroughly wash their hand before and after use.
Seeking Medical Assistance:
If you have cold or flu symptoms and are in need of medical assistance, call ahead to your medical care provider. They will provide guidance on how best to avoid potentially spreading the virus in crowded waiting rooms.
If you are severely ill and need medical attention right away, call 911.
A list of urgent care and health centers is available here. Again, please call ahead if you are experiencing symptoms.
If you work in the City of Philadelphia, you are entitled to take sick leave. Many residents are entitled to paid sick leave. For more information, see this article.
Resources:
What to Expect from COVID-19
What you can do
Updates on the City of Philadelphia's response
Planning guidance for businesses and nonprofit organizations
All City of Philadelphia COVID-19 resources
Additional Information:
Worried about coronavirus? If your loved one is over 60.
Coronavirus Scam Alert: Watch Out For These Risky COVID-19 Websites And Emails
To get coronavirus coverage in your inbox every evening, sign up for The Philadelphia Inquirer Coronavirus Updates newsletter here.