Physical Wellness

The City of Kearney has created a direct email address for all inquiries related to COVID-19, Email: covid19@kearneygov.org.and a website for city updates: Click Here for Website

Covid-19 Testing

Test Nebraska: Test Nebraska

TestNebraska is an initiative in partnership with our state leaders and private corporations. See their website or call 402-207-9377 for most updated information on testing sites and availability.

Hy-Vee Pharmacy: https://www.doineedacovid19test.com/

The COVID-19 tests and test results are coordinated by eTrueNorth. The tests are free and are administered via
a Hy-Vee pharmacy drive-thru testing process. Individuals do not need to exhibit COVID-19 symptoms to be
tested, but they must register online to receive a test voucher number, testing site and appointment time.

State Resources

State Hotline for COVID-19 Information: (402) 552-6645
8AM – 8PM CST – 7 Days a Week

Nebraska Health and Human Services: Find health directives and info for Nebraskans: dhhs.ne.gov

Statewide COVID-19 Resources: Ne Children and Families Foundation

Health Care Resources

• CHI Coronavirus online resource/hotline:
  • https://www.chihealth.com/coronavirus
  • Resource Hotline: 1-844-355-2273
  • Address: 211 W 33 rd Street, Kearney, NE 68845
  • Local Clinic Phone: 308-865-2141
• Kearney Regional
  • kearneyregional.com/covid19/
  • Phone: (308) 455-3600
• NE Children’s Physicians Clinic – Kearney
  • Address: 211 W 33rd Street, Kearney, NE 68845
  • Phone: 308-234-5613
• NE Total Care (managed care contractor for Medicaid), community and medical resource for their clients. Contact for information on rewards or benefits
  • https://nebraskatotalcare.auntbertha.com/

• Wellcare Nebraska (managed care contractor for Medicaid), community and medical resource for their clients. Contact for information on rewards or benefits
  • Kelsey Isom: 1-845-453-4373
  • Mindy Spray: 1-402-216-2315
  • Nurse Line: 800-919-8807
  • https://www.wellcare.com/nebraska/

• United Healthcare (managed care Medicaid provider for NE)
  • https://www.uhc.com/

Mental Wellness

We know that recent events has created an unease about the future. Click the following link to find local resources: Click here

For Parents 

School Resources: 

We encourage parents to check their childrens local school website for updated guidelines and restrictions for reopening:

Kearney Public Schools: https://www.kearneypublicschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1787288&type=d&pREC_ID=1961816

Shelton Public Schools: https://www.sheltonbulldogs.com/main/

Gibbon Public Schools: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/832570/COVID_Plan_2020.pdf

Amherst Public Schools: https://amherstbroncos.org/

Pleasanton Public Schools: https://pleasantonbulldogs.org/

Ravenna Public Schools: https://www.ravennabluejays.org/district/return-to-school-plan

Elm Creek Public Schools: https://sites.google.com/elmcreekschools.org/ecbuffs/district

Education Resources

Mask Picture Book For Young Children: Click here for book. Help young children understand why people are wearing masks.

Supporting Your Child as they get ready to go to school: Click here for resources

Social Emotional Learning Resources: During these stressful times for students, families, and educators Second Step has put together a list of resources you can use to help young people learn the social-emotional skills they need to get through these challenging events: Click Here to view resource list

Click Here For: How to Support Your Child Through COVID-19

Free Audible For Kids

Audible by Amazon is offering kid stories for FREE to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet for as long as schools are closed: https://stories.audible.com/discovery

Free Internet Access

The city has designated places with free wireless connection. The Kearney public library is also reopening which has access to internet and devices. Click here to find info

Free Online Education Resources

Check this website for a list of free online learning resources for children: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/family-life/preparing-your-family-for-emergencies/online-learning-resources-while-schools-are-closed

Virtual Museum Tours

12 famous museums are offering virtual tours for free: www.travelandleisure.com/attractions

Kearney Public School Family Resoures

https://www.kearneypublicschools.org/news/covidresources.html

Free Education Websites for Kids Pre K – 6 grade

Click Link for Free Educational Websites

Volunteer

**NEW** Christmas Meal

For the past 48 years, the First United Methodist Church of Kearney, Nebraska has served a community Christmas meal. This year, they are partnering with Hot Meals USA and various local nonprofits to expand this meal’s reach and make sure our community receives a FREE Community Christmas Dinner in the Kearney area. If you would like to volunteer: www.signupgenius.com/go/60b084daeaa29a0ff2-christmas or donate: www.paypal.me/kfumcne for the Christmas Meal, check out these links.

Food Box Distribution November and December

We need help supporting the local pantries in Buffalo County. If you would like to help with the Farmers to Families food box packing/distribution check our link for updated times and dates: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d48ada82ca2fec43-food

Financial Supports

• Short Time Compensation, program helps prevent layoffs by allowing employers to uniformly reduce affected employees’ hours by 10 to 60 percent while permitting the employees to receive a prorated unemployment benefit: Please see the government website for updated information: https://dol.nebraska.gov/stc
• Small Business Admin: Small business less than 500 employees can apply for a payroll protection loan: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
• Unemployment Insurance:NEworks.nebraska.gov You can access the site through your computer or mobile device, or download the NEworks App. For Unemployment Insurance questions you can email NDOL.NICHelp@nebraska.gov and include your contact information. A chat function is also available on NEworks site
• Internet Services Fact Sheet: Internet Providers Updated 8/10/20_
• Local Business Resources *New Guidelines for Reopening Businesses: Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce
• Frequently Asked Questions: Employee Benefits and other business topics. HUB Document Link
• Free Legal Help For Nebraskas: Nebraskans who have questions or are experiencing legal problems due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 public health emergency now have an easy way to get legal advice and help. Callers will be connected to the Hotline voicemail. Callers should leave their name, phone number, brief details of the problem and the assistance needed, and in what county they are located. Callers will receive a call back from experienced Legal Aid staff.
  • 1-844-268-5627.
  • legalaidofnebraska.org/2020/03/24/covid-19-information-resources/

   

Food. Transportation. Housing

Food

Local Pantry and other Food Updates

Food Pantries in Kearney

Peterson Senior Activity Center – sponsored by Community Action Partnership of Mid NE, City of Kearney and South Central Area Agency on Aging

• Monday through Friday, curbside meal pickup, starting Monday, June 8
• 24-hour advance reservations required by calling (308) 233-3278
• Adults age 60 and over, there is a suggested donation of $4.50 per meal
• Adults under 60 years of age, a payment of $6.00 per meal is required
• Accepting checks and cash (exact amount) and pre-paid punch cards
• Meals may be reserved by the day, week or month

Kearney Meals on Wheels – sponsored by Kearney Housing Agency (KHA)

• Monday through Friday, meals delivered to home bound
• Call to determine meal qualifications (308) 234-3000
• Cost – $5.77 per meal, accepting checks and cash
• There may be financial assistance for home delivered meals, or if you are home bound and need meals delivered, please contact South Central Nebraska Area Agency on Aging by calling (308) 234-1851 to discuss options; regardless of age. Or contact your assigned DHHS case worker.

 Rural Community Resources

Gibbon

• Gibbon Little Free Pantry Accessible 24 hrs./day — 705 Court St. Gibbon, NE 68840, (308) 468-5323
• Food Pantry – Gibbon Faith United Church : Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6:30pm – 8pm, Head Start Basement 1021 First St. Gibbon. Contact: Pastor Mike, (308) 468-5521. Address:1021 First Street Gibbon NE 68840 Located in the Head Start basement

Ravenna

• Ravenna Love in Action Food Pantry: Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 9:30am-3:30pm—502 Grand Ave Ravenna, NE 68869 Contact: Marty Russel, Program Director,(308)452-4361. Address: 502 Grand Avenue Ravenna NE 68869.
• Ravenna Senior Center – take- out meals and home delivery for individuals 60 or a spouse of someone who is eligible. Contact Roberta at 308-452-3105. Reservations need 24 hours in advance. Meal service is Monday –Friday and the suggested contribution is $5.50 and for under 60 (ineligible) $7.00.

Shelton

• Shelton United Methodist Church Food Pantry: Hours: 8am-1pm Tuesday through Friday and 5:30pm-7pm Tuesday. Closed Monday, Saturday, Sunday. Contact: Pastor Carla (308) 230-0822 or Amanda (308) 647-6741. Address: 207 A Street Shelton NE 68876. Services: Food available for those requiring food assistance.

Contact your local school district for information if you live in Elm Creek or Pleasanton.

Mail Order Meals

Home Style Direct www.homestyledirect.com

• Order meals delivered to your door, direct pay or Medicaid eligible

Mom’s Meals www.momsmeals.com

• Order meals delivered to your door, direct pay or Medicaid/Medicare eligible. Financial assistance for meals may be available by calling South Central Area Agency on Aging (308) 234-1851

Financial assistance for meals may be available by calling South Central Area Agency on Aging (308) 234-1851

Farmer’s Market

• Kearney Farmers Market – Saturday 8am – 1pm, Wednesday 2pm-6pm; located at Kearney Hilltop Mall Parking lot
• Senior vouchers available for Farmer’s Market produce, contact Sue Hutsell, South Central Area Agency on Aging (308) 234-1851
• Shelton Farmers Market  – 5pm-7pm every Wednesday evening at Shelton Park Pavilion.

Food Security

• If you are unable to find a meal program that fits your individual or family need, please contact Erin Davis (308) 234-1851 at South Central Area Agency on Aging to see if you qualify for other food assistance programs in the community. If you are home bound and need a meal delivered to your home, contact Erin (308) 234-1851 to be connected with a Helping Hands volunteer.

Emergency Food Assistance Program for people with Cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis: Team Rubicon — Emergency Food Assistance Program

Local Grocery Store Shopping Hours

List of Buffalo County grocery stores with special COVID19 hours. 

Local Food Updates:

Community Action Partnership of Mid Nebraska has created a list of local organizations, what they are providing, and who to contact. Visit their site for the full list: http://communityactionmidne.com/agency-and-community-updates-covid-19-pandemic-2020/

Housing

Your community is working together to offer tools to rebuild a housing foundation for those displaced due to COVID19 which brings us challenges and will take partnerships across the community.

At the state level;

• The Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA)—This program makes available $158 million to assist Nebraska low-income households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nebraska residents (except those in Douglas or Lancaster Counties) can apply now at:
  • https://coronavirus.nebraska.gov/EmergencyRentalAssistanceProgram?fbclid=IwAR0C2V89Xlc8jX6EuvPl3iZ-HJMuLY7fPD757va11QQe5nkVTtpx2Gkc_Hk
• Information for renters on how to apply:
  • https://bcchp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ERA-Renter-Flyer.pdf
  • https://bcchp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ERA-Landlord-Flyer.pdf 

At the county level;

• The Kearney Housing Agency launched a housing resource website to assist residents in learning about housing programs in our community.  To access this information log on at http://www.kearneyhousingagency.com/covid19/.  Resources are also available in Spanish.  An on-line form is available to assist the task force in better understanding the housing needs of our community, and offer their knowledge of resources.  To access the form visit the bottom of the page in the above link.
• Persons who are homeless after hours and weekends are to contact law enforcement at (308) 237-2104 to determine if they would be qualify for one night of lodging supported by vouchers from the Salvation Army. A wonderful partnership between law enforcement and the Salvation Army and SAFE Center.
• Buffalo County Emergency Shelters
  • Crossroads Shelter: 1404 E 39th Street Kearney, NE 68847, (308)236-5688
  • SAFE Center: (for individuals of domestic violence or sexual assault), 620 E 25th St, #14 Kearney, NE 68847, (308)237-2599
• Other Temporary Housing Assistance Programs: It is important that you call ahead to learn about these different housing programs. Presenting information to these organizations on the conversation between you and your landlord will be very helpful in understanding your long-term housing plan.
  • The Salvation Army, 1719 Central Avenue, Kearney, (308)234-9998
  • Jubilee Center, 2523 Avenue A, Kearney, (308)234-3880
  • Community Action Partnership of Mid Nebraska, 16 W 11^th Street, Kearney, NE 68848, (308)865-5680. To view Community Action Partnership’s Housing List: http://www.kearneyhousingagency.com/public/assets/CAPMNE-Housing-List.pdf

Some churches in the community are able to assist and work very closely with the above-mentioned housing assistance programs.