March 25, 2020

During the State of Emergency, the City of Lansing will be sending daily COVID updates at 5pm to everyone on the Neighborhood News list and posting to the city’s social media channels.

We are getting many calls about how we can help our neighbors during this time. We will include opportunities to help each other and resources where help is available. If you have information that you would like included, please send it to DeLisa Fountain at DeLisa.Fountain@lansingmi.gov by 3pm. This emergency is changing daily and we are committed to making sure our neighbors have the information necessary to care for themselves, their neighbors, and our community.

Newly Added Info & Resources

This section will highlight the latest information and resources that are new to our daily updates.

A Message from Mayor Schor

On March 13, 2020, Mayor Schor declared a local State of Emergency for the City of Lansing. During this time, essential City of Lansing services will continue to be provided. Lansing residents are encouraged to continue practicing good hygiene, social distancing, and refrain from hoarding. These measures are meant to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and ensure those in need have access to necessary resources. Mayor Schor is working with U.S. Rep. Slotkin and several other partners to secure federal and state funds to help our small businesses. To hear the entire message, please click here.

Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives.

COVID-19 Safety Practices

The Mayor is urging citizens to continue to take the following basic measures to prevent the spread of the virus:

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Avoid contact with people who are sick.
If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.

State of Michigan Community Mitigation Strategies Website.

Statewide Coronavirus Hotline — (888) 535-6136
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services launched a statewide hotline to respond to your health-related questions about COVID-19. The hotline is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Public health and other experts will answer your questions and direct you to the resources available in your local communities and in other state government departments.

Local Coronavirus Hotline- Ingham County Health Department
Have questions or concerns about coronavirus?
Call us at (517) 887-4517 or visit us on the web at hd.ingham.org/coronavirus

How can I Help?

Capital Area United Way Emergency Relief Fund
Donate now at www.tinyurl.com/micauwef

The American Red Cross faces a Severe Blood Shortage
Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood. Please schedule your appointment to donate blood HERE using your zip code to locate the closest location.

Greater Lansing Food Bank
Support the Greater Lansing Food Bank with monetary donations. Please donate at the following LINK

Volunteer Opportunities Available
Volunteers are needed for Lansing area shelters. If you are available to volunteer, please contact Renee Jones at Holy Cross by phone 517.489.5278 or email: rjones@hccsnet.org

Also, the Tri-County Office on Aging is looking for volunteers to safely deliver meals to seniors in the area: https://www.tcoa.org/volunteer

Combating Price Gouging
Effective Monday, March 16, until Monday, April 13, Michigan is cracking down on businesses and individuals that engage in price gouging on consumer food items, emergency supplies, and other goods and materials. Residents are urged to report any price gouging or other violations of the Consumer Protection Act online by clicking here or by calling (877) 765-8388.

City Rescue Mission of Lansing

The City Rescue Mission is currently seeking the following items for donations: Thermometers, Canned Vegetables, Takeout Containers, Pre-Packaged Food Items (granola bars, individual bags of chips, fruit snacks, etc.), Plastic Utensils, Kleenex, Disposable Gloves, Tylenol, Advil, and Dayquil.

Those items can be taken directly to their donation drop-off site at 607 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing 48912. There is a delivery entrance behind the building that is accessible from Pere Marquette (just past the Larch and Michigan Avenue intersection). Preferred donation hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Homemade Masks - Instructions & Drop-Off Locations
After receiving many offers from Lansing residents to produce homemade masks, Mayor Andy Schor announced that the City of Lansing will provide drop-off locations for homemade masks. Donated masks will be distributed to first responders, healthcare workers, homeless shelters and others that work with vulnerable populations. Please click here for instructions on how to make a mask at home.

Individuals and organizations with N95 protective masks and other personal protective equipment are encouraged to donate these items.

Takeout Tonight Spotlight

Brain McGrain, Director of Economic Development and Planning, encourages you to support our local businesses. Last night, he picked up some spirits to go from Michigrain Distillery and American Fifth. Both businesses are offering free hand sanitizer with all takeout orders. Be sure to call ahead to place your order!

Michigrain Distillery: (517) 220-0560
American Fifth Spirits: (517) 999-2631

Takeout available at Michigrain Distillery and American Fifth!

How Can I get Help?

For Assistance Call 211
2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in over 180 languages.

https://www.mi211.org/

Referring people to 211 is the best way to connect them with services. It also allows us to track community requests for support and properly respond.

Staying Home is Different for Everyone

While Michiganders are being asked to stay at home for the next three weeks, it’s essential to recognize that staying home can mean different things for many across our community. During these uncertain times, stress levels may be high for many people. In times of financial stress, domestic violence and child abuse tends to increase. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please review the following resources:

End Violent Encounters (EVE) 24/7 Crisis Hotline (517) 372-5572
National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 Hotline 1-800-799-7233, available in more than 200 languages
Both resources listed above offer online chat options too.

Federal Income Tax Information
The Treasury Secretary announced that the deadline to file 2019 federal income taxes has also been delayed until July 15, 2020. In addition, the deadline for federal estimated income tax payments for 2020, which was previously April 15, 2020, has been delayed until July 15, 2020.

You can read the announcement here.

State Income Tax Collections
Michigan Department of Treasury is offering collections assistance to newly unemployed Michiganders currently paying on past-due state tax debts or other state debts.

Effective immediately, individuals who have been laid off or had their place of employment closed due to COVID-19 should reach out to see what options are available. To receive assistance, individuals are encouraged to contact Treasury’s Collections Service Center at 517-636-5265.

To learn more about Michigan’s taxes and the collections process, go to www.michigan.gov/taxes or follow the state Treasury Department on Twitter at @MITreasury.

Unemployment Assistance
If you lose your job during the coronavirus outbreak, you can apply for unemployment assistance here. You can find a fact sheet with more information here. Please go to the following site for more information: michigan.gov/UIA

Meal Assistance for Seniors
If you are a senior living in Ingham County, you can contact the Tri-County Office on Aging at 517-887-11440 or by visiting them online here.

While all TCOA Congregate Senior Dining Sites are currently closed due to the risk of spreading COVID-19 through large group gatherings, individuals age 60 and over and their caregivers are eligible to participate in a food pick up opportunity at locations across the region in all three counties.

Meal pick up must be arranged in advance by calling Tasha Stetler at 517-887-1393 to schedule a pickup appointment.

Expanding Access to Telemedicine
Michigan residents receiving Medicaid benefits can now take advantage of telemedicine health services from their home. In addition, most major health insurers have announced that they will cover and encourage the use of virtual care, while waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing. Call your health care provider for more information.

Student Loans

During this National Emergency, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid has set the interest rate of all federal student loans to 0% for a period of at least 60 days.

The Department of Education’s press release from March 20, 2020 states “borrowers will have the option to suspend their payments for at least two months to allow them greater flexibility during the national emergency. This will allow borrowers to temporarily stop their payments without worrying about accruing interest.”

For borrows that are seeking the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program or those enrolled in a repayment plan, it may be in their best interest to continuing making monthly payments.

The full press release can be read here.

The following list contains the names and contact information of loan servicers for loans that the U.S. Department of Education owns:

Loan Servicer Contact Information
CornerStone
1-800-663-1662

FedLoan Servicing (PHEAA)
1-800-699-2908

Granite State – GSMR
1-888-556-0022

Great Lakes Educational Loan Services, Inc.
1-800-236-4300

HESC/Edfinancial
1-855-337-6884

MOHELA
1-888-866-4352

Navient
1-800-722-1300

Nelnet
1-888-486-4722

OSLA Servicing
1-866-264-9762

ECSI
1-866-313-3797

Utilities and Eviction Assistance
Persons must file a State of Emergency Relief (SER) application with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Apply online at: https://www.mibridges.michigan.gov/access/
DHHS phone number: 1-855-275-6424

Pre-Eviction Prevention Program
Public Housing and Section 8 tenants at risk of eviction due to late rent, and fees are scheduled for a Citizen Intake to determine their eligibility for financial assistance. A judgement and SER determination from DHHS, proof of income, and identification is required for an appointment. Call (517) 487-4477

Utility Assistance (in partnership with LBWL and St. Vincent DePaul)
Assist families with paying the LBWL bill to avoid shut-off and prevent eviction. A SER determination from DHHS, LBWL bill, proof of income and identification is required for an appointment. Call (517) 487-4477

Lansing Board of Water and Light

Customers may pay their bill online, through the mail or over the phone. More information on ways to pay your bill can be found at www.lbwl.com/paybill.

The BWL has suspended electric and water shut-offs until further notice and COVID-19 is better controlled. Customers are encouraged to contact customer service to setup a bill payment plan to not fall behind when the moratorium is lifted by emailing customerservice@lbwl.com.

Consumers Energy

For the health and safety of our employees and customers, we’ve reduced service at our 13 direct payment offices to drop box and drive-thru only.

Payments left in drop boxes will be processed the same day and receipts will be mailed to customers' homes. Customers are also encouraged to pay online or find another payment location.

We are ensuring our most vulnerable customers have the services they need during this state of emergency by suspending shutoffs for non-pay for low-income and senior customers beginning March 16, 2020 through April 5, 2020. These time-frames could be adjusted depending on the spread and severity of the virus.

Senior citizens and qualified low-income customers already enrolled in our Winter Protection Program have already had their end dates extended through May 3, 2020, without any additional actions required on their part.

UPDATED LANSING SCHOOL DISTRICT FOOD LOCATIONS

Each location is first come first served while supplies last.

There are changes to the Lansing School District food distribution times for a couple of locations. Mount Vernon is now from 11 a.m - 12 p.m and Summer Place is from 3:05 - 3:35 p.m.
Click on the link for the latest full list.
http://www.lansingschools.net/food

Additional Food Resources for Students

The Michigan Department of Education has developed an online tool for families to help ensure children who rely on food provided by schools still maintain access to the meals and resources they need. To find schools serving meals in your area, you can use the tool by clicking here.

FOOD PANTRIES

48906

All Nations Christian Church Food Pantry

1205 E Saginaw Street, Lansing

(517) 371-2222

Catholic Community of St. Jude (serves north Lansing zip 48906)

409 Wilson Street, DeWitt 48820

(517) 669-8335

Cristo Rey Community Center

1717 North High Street, Lansing

(517) 372-4700 x 249

Northwest Lutheran Food Pantry

Saint Stephen Lutheran Church

2900 N Waverly Road, Lansing

(517) 853-0453

Society of Saint Vincent De Paul - Saint Gerard

(West of MLK only)

4437 West Willow Hwy, Lansing

(517) 853-8132

Society of Saint Vincent De Paul - Resurrection

1601 E Grand River Avenue, Lansing

(517) 371-4380

Society of Saint Vincent De Paul - Saint Therese

102 West Randolph Street, Lansing

(517) 482-0765

48910

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

549 E Mt Hope Avenue, Lansing

(517) 485-3613

Bethlehem Temple Church

1518 South Washington Avenue, Lansing

(517) 485-4209

Christ Temple Church

1033 Lenore St, Lansing 48910

(517) 484-0578 or submit request online at www.ctcLansing.org

Lansing Area AIDS Network (Must be HIV+)

913 W Holmes Road, Suite 115, Lansing

(517) 394-3560

LMTS

808 Southland Street, Suite B, Lansing 48910

Hours 9 am – 1 pm, M-F (By appointment only)

Call (517) 483-2604 (allow 24-48 hours for a response)

Mount Hope Presbyterian Church

301 West Jolly Road, Lansing

(517) 393-2211

The Salvation Army South Corps

701 W Jolly Rd, Lansing 48910

(517) 394-6945

48911

Lansing Church of God in Christ

5304 Wise Road, Lansing

(517) 882-2335

Pagans in Need - Lansing

5655 South Washington Avenue, Lansing

(517) 258-4575

48912

Allen Neighborhood Center Breadbasket/Food Pantry

Every Monday, produce, bread and other baked goods are available to Eastside residents

1:00 pm- 5:00 pm (517) 367-2468

Eastside Community Action Center

1001 Dakin Street, Lansing

(517) 853-0414

Salvation Army North

525 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Lansing

(517) 484-4424

48917 (These pantries are actually in Eaton County)

Lansing Seventh Day Adventist Community Service Center

5400 West Saint Joseph, Lansing

(517) 321-8238

Society of Saint Vincent De Paul - Saint Gerard

4437 West Willow Hwy, Lansing

(517) 853-8132

Financial Empowerment Center

The Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) is a partnership of the City of Lansing and Cristo Rey Community Center. Our trained, professional financial counselors will sit down with you one-on-one to help you achieve your financial dreams and goals. We will help you create a budget, reduce money stress, improve your credit, pay down your debt, access affordable bank accounts, and save money for the future.

All counseling services, including credit report analysis, is free of charge. There are no income limits or residency requirements.

You can schedule an appointment online or call (517) 449-5842 , Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

All appointments will take place on Zoom or over the phone. Once you have scheduled an appointment, someone from the FEC will be in contact.

FREE OR LOW-COST INTERNET SERVICE AND OTHER RELATED RESOURCES (DEVICES AND CONTENT)

AT&T’s “Access by AT&T.” Available in 21 states. One family member must be eligible for SNAP. COVID-19 response: AT&T has committed waive data overage fees in response to Covid-19. For more information click here.

MetroNet Available Free to New Student Subscribers for Two Months

We are offering free 500Mb/500Mb Internet service for 2 months to new residential households in which a student resides. If any of your families are interested in signing up, please have them visit www.metronetinc.com/studentspecial and click order now. After entering their address, they will need to check ‘yes’ for student in order to receive the discounted rate. They will need to provide either a valid student ID or virtual learning email message from the school.

Other Resources

Census 2020

10 Minutes 9 Questions Determines Funding for the next 10 years!

The City of Lansing is currently at a 26.7% response rate

The U.S. Census Bureau produces timely local data that are critical to emergency planning, preparedness and recovery efforts.

It's so important that we take 10 minutes to respond to 9 simple questions that will deliver 10 years of benefits to our community.

The public is strongly encouraged to respond to the 2020 Census online using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and can also respond by phone or mail.

More info: lansingmi.gov/1860/Be-Counted-Lansing-2020-Census

Lansing Parks and trails are still open, except for the Fenner Nature Center which is currently closed.

Capital Area Housing Partnership (CAHP)
Housing counselors offer free, individualized guidance, and work with clients to develop a plan to understand their options and connect with resources, helping them reach their financial goals. CAHP’s office will be closed to the public until April 6, 2020. CAHP will be open remotely during that time and answering phone calls at 517-332-HOME (4663) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Virtual Rental Counseling Now Available
If you or someone you know has fears about paying rent, utility bills, eviction, foreclosure, debt or credit impacts please call CAHP to schedule a free virtual appointment to discuss options.

Our housing counselors offer free, individualized guidance, and work with families and individuals to develop a plan to understand their options and connect people with resources, helping them reach their financial goals.

Call 517-332-HOME (4663) to schedule a virtual appointment. Click here to learn more.

Online Homebuyer Education Workshop Available
For those with an eye on home ownership, we are offering our Homebuyer Education workshop online! The online workshop satisfies requirements for a homeownership education certificate to qualify for down payment assistance.

https://www.capitalareahousing.org/resource-guide

Capital Area District Library

The Storytimes at our branches might be canceled, but the fun isn't! Starting this Wednesday, we're hosting virtual storytimes on Facebook Live. Tune on on Mondays & Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., or watch our CADLtales TV show anytime. https://bit.ly/33GCQ8a

CATA
CATA will suspend all regular bus-route service, effective Monday, March 23, through Sunday, April 5, or until further notice. Instead, CATA will offer free demand-response service for the community’s most vulnerable populations, as well as its essential workforce, key government employees and those who support our critical infrastructure.

Customers in need of a free curb-to-curb ride should call 517-999-2549

Updates will continue to be posted to Rider Alerts at CATA.org and @rideCATA on Facebook and Twitter.

Other Resources

MEDIA COVERAGE

For more information, please visit lansingmi.gov/coronavirus.

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The Neighborhood News will be used for daily COVID-19 updates during the Local State of Emergency. *************************************************************************************

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March 25, 2020

Table of Contents

Newly Added Info & Resources

A Message from Mayor Schor

Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives.

COVID-19 Safety Practices

How can I Help?

How Can I get Help?

Other Resources

Other Resources

MEDIA COVERAGE