COVID-19 Resources for Eastsiders

Friday, November 20, 2020



Dear Neighbors,
I hope you’re staying well and safe.
With COVID-19 cases spiking, hospitals full, healthcare worker shortages rampant, and Minnesota’s death toll passed 3,000, it’s essential we take united action together on combatting the spread. In response, Governor Walz is asking Minnesotans to hit pause on social activities, in-person gatherings, sports, and gyms- where we are seeing the largest rate of transmission- for four weeks.









Earlier this year, Congress approved the CARES Act to provide needed economic relief to Minnesotans. These dollars are being used to provide housing assistance to renters and homeowners, financial relief to child care providers and small businesses, as well as to purchase critical medical supplies and PPE for our front-line workers. The need for an additional robust pandemic response in Minnesota will continue well into 2021. I’ve joined my colleagues and the governor in urging quick approval of a new federal COVID relief package so that we can continue our efforts in Minnesota to combat the virus and help weather these economic storms.

Additional Resources for Eastsiders 
Up to $5000 from East Side Funders Group Small Business Covid-19 Relief Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide COVID-19 relief grants to small businesses on the East Side of Saint Paul that have BIPOC ownership or a majority of BIPOC employees. See details and registration here.
 
Public Health Grant Program for Disability Services Providers created to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to people with disabilities and staff who support them. See details here.
 
UPDATED COVID-19 Waiver to Extend Eligibility for Refugee Cash Assistance. Details found here.
 
Landlord Assistance: Landlords may be eligible to receive a one-time grant for up to $20,000 per rental unit for tenants missed payment.  To learn more about it, please visit here.
 
Safe at the Winter Farmers' Market Cost-Share Program provides financial assistance to Minnesota farmers’ markets operating in the winter months to purchase supplies to keep markets, vendors, and customers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. See details here.
 
Youth and Young Adult Employment Community Conversation hosted by Ramsey County is an online community conversation about youth and young adult employment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Find details here.
 
Think Small has COVID-19 Resources and Information for Child Care Providers and Parents that can be found here. Information includes assistance with housing, schooling etc.
 
Under the Emergency Solutions Grant-COVID (ESG-CV) funds, Ramsey County, through Heading Home Ramsey (HHR), is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) from providers who have experience in providing street outreach and/or rapid rehousing services to households experiencing homelessness in Ramsey County. More information on the website here and read the detailed Notice here.



FOOD  
Thanksgiving Food Distribution for everyone through the Union Gospel. Registration and details can be found here.
 
Ramsey County has a community resource page here that includes information about food, employment, technology and more.
 
Free home meal delivery available for people impacted by COVID-19. If you are a Ramsey County resident and have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible to have up to 21 prepared meals delivered to your home for free each week. Details can be found here.

Stay in TouchPromising news about an effective vaccine is encouraging, but public health experts and vaccine producers are telling us that widespread distribution will not happen until well into 2021. In the meantime, we should follow public health guidelines to protect one another: staying home when we can; wearing a mask; washing our hands frequently; distancing socially; and getting tested.  
Please don’t hesitate to reach out anytime if you need help or have any questions at rep.jay.xiong@house.mn or 651-296-4201.
It’s an honor to serve you and our Eastside community at the State Capitol. My best wishes for a holiday filled with health and happiness.
Sincerely,
Jay Xiong
State Representative