COVID-19: Resources to support yourself and your family during a crisis.
Many schools and public events are closing down over concerns of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Families may experience increased stress and anxiety during this time. There are many services available to keep you and your family healthy and safe during a crisis. Here at Extension we are grateful to share the knowledge published by our network of Cooperative Extensions from across the county.
Resources for you and you family include:
Tips to relieve stress and anxiety while staying home.
Grocery Store Updated Services/ Hours
Mass 2-1-1 Social Service Assistance
Unemployment and Food Assistance
MassHealth Application Assistance
Local Food Pantry and Meal Options
Emergency Daycare Services and Parent Support
Local Transfer Stations Updated Services/ Hours
Household Hazardous Waste Assistance
1. Practice self-care. This is important to do all the time, not just in a time of crisis. Read a book, take a bubble bath or do something else that helps you feel calm. Going outside and taking a walk around the neighborhood or open space parks and trails is a great way to relieve stress. Remember to practice safe distancing and beware of ticks! Check out tips and information on preventing tick bites.
2. Keep up a routine. Even if children are not in schools, it is important to keep a routine with some flexibility. Routines and predictably help children feel safe, especially in times of uncertainty. Check out some tips from Upworthy on how to create a schedule for children at home.
3. Talk to your child. Take the opportunity to share accurate information with them about the situation. Check out this article from PBS on talking to young children about COVID-19 or this comic from NPR. You can also find more resources for talking to your child from the Child Mind Institute, National Association of School Psychologists, National Child Traumatic Stress Network, Kids Health, and ADDitute (specifically for children with anxiety).
4. Connect with loved ones. Reach out to friends and family to check on them, and to also get support for yourself and your family. Set up times to video chat and catch up with family. Social connections are crucial for our health.
5. Acknowledge your fear and anxiety, and then find ways to divert your attention. Children learn from watching others and will pick up on your worry and stress. Show them healthy ways for managing these emotions by acknowledging that you feel a certain way, and then move on to another activity that helps you focus on something else. Maybe you can read together or make something crafty with your child. Be sure to check out other ideas for things to do at home with your child from 4-H!
(tips provided by NH Extension)
Grocery Store Updated Services and Hours
There are many small and family-owned grocery stores and restaurants that can remain open during the outbreak, and/or offer take-out or delivery service. Please visit this Love Live Local page for a growing list of Cape Cod services.
Student Meal Options, Pickup Sites and Services
Cape Kids Meals is distributing food throughout the Cape.
Meal Service and Pickup Sites from EOS Foundation
Barnstable Public School Student Meals OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF RESIDENCE
Nauset Public Schools: Brewster, Eastham, Orleans, Wellfleet
Monomoy Public Schools: Chatham, Harwich
Dennis-Yarmouth Public Schools DELIVERY OPTION AVAILABLE
Cape Cod Tech Regional High School
MASS 2-1-1: Mass 2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number that will connect you to information about health and human services available in your community. It will help you find government benefits and services, nonprofit organizations, support groups, volunteer opportunities, donation programs, and other local resources. All calls are confidential and the service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit www.mass211.org.
Unemployment and Food Assistance
*College students displaced by campus closures can apply for SNAP!
Apply for unemployment benefits here. As of March 18, 2020, the 7-day waiting period to apply for unemployment benefits has been eliminated
DTA (Department of Transitional Assistance) has partnered with local organizations to assistance in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/SNAP applications. Visit their website to start your online application here or contact the local organizations below:
Harbor Health in Hyannis is happy work with those looking for food assistance/ SNAP. Visit their website here for info and contact Camila Barbosa directly at (508) 778-5413.
Falmouth Service Center provides assistance with SNAP applications. Visit their website for updated hours and services.
WIC provides a range of services for qualified families. From nutrition and health education to food and support, all services are free. Visit their website here for info and the online application.
Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) is available to assist anyone who may need help with housing during the COVID-19 crisis. Contact them directly via phone at (508)771-5400 or www.haconcapecod.org.
Community Development Partnership (CDP) in Eastham offers assistance and guidance in securing housing, from rentals to home ownership. Click here for their website.
Lower Cape Outreach offers financial assistance for essential household services. Visit their website here.
Falmouth Service Center offers financial assistance for essential household services. Visit their website here.
Falmouth Service Centers offers assistance in applying for MassHealth. Visit their website here.
MassHealth information and online application can be found at the state website here.
The Cape Cod Family Table Collaborative is serving meals throughout the Cape. Check the Facebook Feed here https://www.facebook.com/CapeCulinaryIncubator/ for updated times and locations.
The Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center has resources for food and meals for veterans and their families.
Common Table on the Outer Cape offers meals and delivery.
Bourne
20 Commerce Park, Pocasset, MA 02532
508-759-3351
Sandwich
331 Cotuit Rd, Sandwich 02563
Tel: 508-888-3816
Mashpee
St. Vincent de Paul/Christ the King Food Pantry
Route 151 & Jobs Fishing Rd., Mashpee, MA 02649
508-477-7700
Mashpee Good Neighbor Food Pantry
1st Pentecostal Church, 258 Main Street, Rt. 130, Mashpee, MA 02649
Tel: 774-521-4364
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Food Pantry
483 Great Neck Road South, Mashpee, MA 02649
Tel: 508- 477-0208 Ext. 189
www.mashpeewampanoagtribe-nsn.gov/food-pantry
Falmouth
611 Gifford Street, Falmouth, MA 02540
Tel: 508-548-2794
Barnstable
Calvary Baptist Church Pantry Kitchen/Pantry
25 Lincoln Rd., Hyannis, MA 02601
508-775-1830
Salvation Army/Hyannis Pantry & Soup Kitchen
100 North St. Hyannis, MA 02601
508-775-0364
Vets Association of Cape & Islands Pantry
247 Stevens St., Suite E, Hyannis, MA 02601
508-778-1590
All veterans & their families
St. Vincent de Paul/St. Francis Xavier Church
21 Cross St., Hyannis, MA 02601
508-775-3073
Yarmouth
Yarmouth Food Pantry
Lighthouse Landing, 845 Main Street (Rte 28) – Unit 16, S. Yarmouth, MA 02664
508-394-0880
Dennis
68 Route134, South Dennis, MA 02660
508-394-4630
Meals on Wheels
Lower Cape Outreach Food Council: Harwich, Brewster, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, Provincetown
Lower Cape Outreach Council Food Pantry
508-240-0694 or 866-879-5262
LCOC P-Town Pantry
United Methodist Church, 24 Shank Painter Rd., Provincetown, MA 02657
LCOC Truro Pantry
Truro Council on Aging, 7 Standish Way, North Truro, MA 02652
LCOC Wellfleet Pantry
Grace Chapel Wellfleet, 25 Lieutenant Island Rd., Wellfleet, MA 02667
LCOC Eastham Pantry
United Methodist Church, 3200 Rte. 6, Eastham, MA 02642
LCOC Orleans Pantry
United Methodist Church, 73 Main St., Orleans, MA 02653
LCOC Chatham Pantry
St. Christopher’s Church, 625 Main St., Chatham, MA 02633
LCOC Brewster Pantry
Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631
LCOC Harwich Pantry
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 310 Rte. 137, Harwich, MA 02645
Harwich
133 Queen Anne Rd., Harwich , MA 02645
508-432-6519
Hand of Hope Outreach Food Pantry
49 Rt. 28 W. Harwich, MA 02671
508-432-1312
Brewster
St. Vincent de Paul/Our Lady of the Cape
468 Stoney Brook Road, Brewster, MA 02631
508-385-7582
Orleans
St. Vincent de Paul/St. Joan of Arc
61 Canal Rd., Orleans
508-255-8080
Provincetown
Soup Kitchen in Provincetown (SKIP)
24 Shank Painter Rd., Provincetown United Methodist Church
Tel: 508-487-8331
AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod
96-98 Bradford St., Provincetown. 508-487-9445
428 South Street, Hyannis. 508-778-1954
Clients only
Emergency Daycare Services and Parental Support
Cape Cod Children’s Place is offering daily Facebook live-feed assistance with all kinds of questions! Tips and conversation on calming tantrums, anxiety, and general support for parents can be found here.
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care has put together a list of designated emergency daycares that will remain open to care for the children of first responders, health care workers and other essential employees. It will be up to families to apply to a daycare, and up to that daycare to determine who qualifies for a slot, in consultation with the EEC’s regional office.
Cape Cod locations (home-based and center-based) currently include:
Barnstable
Only Cape Cod Healthcare Employees can utilize the services at the Cape Conservatory:
2235 Iyannough Road, Route 132
West Barnstable, MA 02668
508.362.2772
Centerville
Marilia Sousa, 37 Longboat Drive, Centerville, 774-287-7315, mariliasereia@hotmail.com
West Barnstable
YMCA Cape Cod Children’s Crossing, 2245 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable – Denise Graham-Reardon, 508-802-1298, dgrahamreardon@ymcacapecod.org
Hyannis
Cristiane Lacerda, 250 Sudbury Lane, Hyannis – Cristiane Lacerda, 774-836-0220, happykids2008@live.com
Rafaela Fonseca, 313 Castle Wood Circle, Hyannis, 508-280-1803, rafaela_aff@hotmail.com
Verdiana Molina, 97 Old Town Road, Hyannis, 203-781-6512, veridianamolinausa@gmail.com
Bourne
Cherri -Ann Strom, 7 Easting Road, Bourne, 774-836-2532, stromcb@comcast.net
Crayon College at Bourne, 254 Shore Road, Bourne – Meghan Muratore, 781-336-8675, directorbourne@crayoncollege.us
Brewster
Ellen Brookhart, 283 Bog Pond Road, Brewster – Ellen Brookhart, 508-221-5718, e_brookhart@aol.com
Kristine Taylor, 18 Ebenezar Lane, Brewster, 508-896-6549, ktebenezar@gmail.com
YMCA Cape Cod Stony Brook, 384 Underpass Road, Brewster – Denise Graham-Reardon, 508-802-1298, dgrahamreardon@ymcacapecod.org
Falmouth
YMCA Cape Cod Falmouth Hospital Campus, 67 B Ter Heun Drive, Falmouth – Denise Graham-Reardon, 508-802-1298, dgraham-reardon@ymcacapecod
YMCA Cape Cod North Falmouth Early Ed. Center, 155 Old Main Road, Falmouth – Denise Graham-Reardon, 508-802-1298, dgrahamreardon@ymcacapecod.org
Harwich
YMCA Cape Cod Harwich Elementary, 263 South Street, Harwich – Denise Graham-Reardon, 508-802-1298, dgrahamreardon@ymcacapecod.org
Sandwich
Julie Coughlan, 14 Tyler Drive, Sandwich, 508-648-0305, busylilbees@gmail.com
South Dennis
Little Stars Learning Center, LLC, 434 Route, Unit E, South Dennis – Tonya Stump, 614-519-6602, Tonya@starpreschools.com
National Alliance on Mental Illness – Cape Cod and The Islands
The Samaritans on the Cape and the Islands
As many of us are home, we’re starting to notice a lot more trash and waste! Transfer Stations are still operating, but with updated guidelines to keep everyone healthy. Please see below for your town’s website with the most up-to-date services.
Barnstable Transfer Station
45 Flint Street, Marstons Mills, MA 02648
Tel: 508.420.2258
https://townofbarnstable.us/departments/solidwaste/
Covid-19 Info: https://townofbarnstable.us/departments/solidwaste/Notice%20of%20Change%20COVID-19%2019MAR2020%20Transfer%20Station%20DWS.pdf
Bourne Transfer Station/ISWM
201 MacArthur Blvd, Bourne, MA 02532
Tel: 508.759.0600 ext. 4
https://www.townofbourne.com/integrated-solid-waste-management
Covid-19 Info: https://www.townofbourne.com/integrated-solid-waste-management/news/seasonal-schedule
Brewster Transfer Station
201 Run Hill Rd, Brewster, MA 02631
Tel: 508.896.3212
https://www.brewster-ma.gov/departments-mainmenu-26/brewster-recycling-center
Covid-19 Info: https://www.brewster-ma.gov/documents-a-archives/coronavirus-covid-19-information
Chatham Transfer Station
97 Sam Ryder Rd, Chatham, MA 02633
Tel: 508.495.5156
https://www.chatham-ma.gov/transfer-station
Covid-19 Info: https://www.chatham-ma.gov/home/pages/covid-19-coronavirus-information
Dennis Transfer Station
100 Theophilus F Smith Rd, South Dennis, MA 02660
Tel: 508.760.6230
https://www.town.dennis.ma.us/department-public-works/solid-waste-recycling-division
Covid-19 Info: https://www.town.dennis.ma.us/home/news/coronavirus-covid-19-information
Eastham Transfer Station
555 Old Orchard Rd, Eastham, MA 02642
Tel: 508.240.5970
https://www.eastham-ma.gov/public-works/pages/transfer-station
Covid-19 Info: Not listed
Falmouth Waste Management Facility (curbside pick-up)
458 Thomas B Landers Rd, East Falmouth, MA 02536
Tel: 508.457.9353
http://www.falmouthmass.us/170/Waste-Management-Facility
Covid-19 Info. http://www.falmouthmass.us/1059/Flu-Coronavirus
Harwich Transfer Station
209 Queen Anne Rd, Harwich, MA 02645
Tel: 508.430.7558
http://www.harwichhighway.com/Departments/DisposalArea/tabid/79/Default.aspx
Covid-19 Info: Not listed
Mashpee Transfer Station
380 Asher’s Path E, Mashpee, MA
Tel: 508.839.1420
https://www.mashpeema.gov/transfer-station
Covid-19 Info: https://www.mashpeema.gov/sites/mashpeema/files/uploads/transfer_station_coronavirus_covid-19_response_plan.pdf
Orleans Transfer Station
56 Lots Hollow Rd, Orleans, MA 02653
Tel: 508.240.3770
https://www.town.orleans.ma.us/transfer-station
Covid-19 Info: https://www.town.orleans.ma.us/https%3A//www.town.orleans.ma.us/health-department/pages/coronavirus-informationlinks
Provincetown Transfer Station (curbside pick-up)
90 Race Point Road, Provincetown, MA 02657
508.487.7076
https://www.provincetown-ma.gov/103/Transfer-Station
Covid-19 Info: Not listed
490 Route 130 Sandwich, MA
Tel: 508. 888.1969
https://sandwichmass.org/217/Transfer-Station
Covid-19 Info: https://sandwichmass.org/DocumentCenter/View/6116/Transfer-Station-Modified-Operation?bidId=
Truro Transfer Station
115 US-6, Truro, MA 02666
Tel: 508.349.6339
https://www.truro-ma.gov/public-works-transfer-station
Covid-19 Info: Not listed
Wellfleet Transfer Station
370 Coles Neck Rd, Wellfleet, MA 02667
Tel: 508.349.0335
https://www.wellfleet-ma.gov/transfer-station-recycling-center
Covid-19 Info: https://www.wellfleet-ma.gov/home/covid-19-information
Yarmouth Transfer Station
606 Forest Road, South Yarmouth, MA 02664
http://www.yarmouth.ma.us/136/Waste-Management
Covid-19 Info: http://www.yarmouth.ma.us/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=p-stylefontsize16pxCoronavirus-Update-To-11
Household Hazardous Waste Collections
We all have household hazardous waste! Think over cleaners, pool chemicals, and oil-based paints. Now is a great time to go through supply closets, the kitchen sink cabinet, and the garage to get rid of unused or expired product. Visit www.LoveYourLocalWater.org for your town’s collection schedule and information on what you can bring to the collections and what is not accepted.