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

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 

Education 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

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

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

Volunteer

Thank you for wanting to volunteer in the community. We are asking people to register with their church volunteer coordinator to volunteer for the elderly. Check to see if they are participating in the zoom volunteer coordinator calls, every Monday at 10am. If they are not, and you would like additional information, contact Denise, dzwiener@bcchp.org.

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: 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_
• Kearney Area Employee Emergency Relief Fund application:This emergency fund is for employees in the Kearney area. Approved applicants are eligible for up to $500 every 30 days. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBCZ9rOOZnuhUTEF34NdcrrCo37Hdge5LVKmtQBQyZSXvrPA/viewform
• 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/

   

Short Term Unemployment Fact Sheets

     Worker Fact Sheet 12-18-19 STC

     Employer Fact Sheet STC (1) (1)

Food. Transportation. Housing

Food

Local Pantry and other Food Updates

Food Pantries in Kearney

East Lawn Ministries Tuesdays & Thursdays 4pm-6pm — East Lawn Trailer Court 2900 Grand Ave #342 Kearney, NE 68847, Pete Ludowese, (308) 293-0100

Faith United Methodist Church Pantry – Please call to set up appointment to get food. In office 7:30 am – 12, Call: 308.237.2550 

Helping Hands 2-4pm every 2nd Sunday of the month If you need food during the rest of the month (Call First) — 1724 1st Ave Kearney, NE 68847, (308) 627-4859 Mary Lyons

Hope Evangelical Free Church Mon.-Fri. 1-5pm located at 907 C Ave Kearney, (308)234-4673 Open for attendees of Hope church

Kearney eFree Storehouse By appointment only — 4010 7th Ave Kearney, NE 68845, (308) 455-3302, Justine Tschetter

Kearney Jubilee Center Monday: July Hours* 1pm-5pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & 9am-1pm Tuesday : CLOSED Saturday & Sunday — 1920 Central Avenue Kearney, NE 68847 (308) 234-3880, Cheri Clark  * Fresh Produce boxes on Wednesday from USDA program

Little Free Pantries Accessible 24hrs/day, 1623 Central Ave Kearney, NE 68847 (Behind Faith United Methodist Church) and110 W. 24th St. Kearney, NE 68847 (Behind 24 Hour Tees), (308)-237-2550 Erin Davis or Shannan Kramer

Prince of Peace Church – Currently Closed

The Salvation Army Thrift Store Building – Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm– 1719 Central Ave Kearney, NE 68847, Lisa Lieth, (308) 236-5812

UNK Big Blue Cupboard Monday-Friday: 7am-7pm Saturday-Sunday: 11:30am-7pm — UNK Nebraska Student Union Office of Student Diversity & Inclusion 1013 W 27th St. Kearney, NE 68849, (308) 865-8127, open this Summer for UNK Students.

Community Action Partnership – All these are by appointment only. Participants are encouraged to call Leslie at 308-627-3945 to make their appointment ONLY on the week of the mobile. Using an appointment-drive thru-load out model.

JUNE 12, 10:00 PHELPS COUNTY AG CENTER, 1308 2ND ST, Holdrege

JUNE 26 at 9:00 COMMUNITY ACTION FOOD BANK, 114 E 11th St, Kearney

JULY 10 at 9:30 MINDEN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 340 Newell Ave, Minden (TBD)

JULY 31 AT 9:00 COMMUNITY ACTION FOOD BANK, 114 E 11th St, Kearney

Starting Monday, June 8 the Peterson Senior Activity Center began serving curbside meals.

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.

Kearney Public Schools – Summer Lunch Program

• Serving “Grab and Go” Breakfast and Lunch from Bryant, Central and Emerson Elementary schools
• Monday through Friday from 11:00 to 12:30.
• Children must be present to receive the meals.  If an adult with a child present wants to purchase meals, the cost will be $2.50 for breakfast and $3.50 for lunch for a total of $6.00.
• Accepting checks or cash for exact amount only.

 Rural Community Resources

Amherst

• School lunch program is serving free grab and go lunches Monday through Friday for children 1-18 years of age.   Call the school kitchen at 308-826-3131 to request a meal.

Gibbon

• Gibbon school is providing meals Monday provide 2 meals, Wednesday 2 meals, Friday-1 meal until July 31^st from 11:30am-12pm for Gibbon residents under 18 providing free lunches. Location at 1030 Court St Gibbon, NE 68840 (backside of the building)
• Gibbon Little Free Pantry Accessible 24 hrs./day — 705 Court St. Gibbon, NE 68840, (308) 468-5323
• Food Pantry – Gibbon Faith United Church Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6:30pm – 8pm, Head Start Basement 1021 First St. Gibbon. (308) 468-5521    Pastor Mike

Ravenna

• Ravenna Love in Action Food Pantry Tuesday-Friday: 9:30am-3:30pm—502 Grand Ave Ravenna, NE 68869, (308)452-4361
• 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

• School lunches for anyone 18 years old or younger at no cost until June 26. No family meals are offered. No breakfast or dinner meals at this time.
• Hot meals are picked up between 11:30 and noon at school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Bagged lunches for Tuesdays and Thursdays are given at the same time with their Monday and Wednesday lunches.
• To receive the free lunches, they have to contact Sue Bombeck, the head of the lunch program.
• Food Pantry at the Shelton United Methodist Church Tues.-Fri. 8am-1pm, and Tuesday 5:30-7:00 pm. Located at 207 A St.   Phone is (308) 230-0822 Pastor Carla or (308) 647-6741 Amanda

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

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
• Ravenna Farmers Market—Opened June 5^th. Open Fridays from 5-7 Downtown Area (in front of True Value Store) (308)430-5481

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 Restaurants Selling Extra Food 

Restaurants Selling Food

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

The Buffalo County Emergency Housing Task Force was formed to pull together a housing resource website to assist residents in learning about shelters and housing assistance programs in our community. They are meeting weekly to discuss housing priorities in order to identify unmet needs among shelters and housing assistance programs. Those interested in joining the Buffalo County Emergency Housing Task Force can contact Denise Zwiener, at dzwiener@bcchp.org for information on the next meeting.

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;

• Governor Ricketts has shared the state will provide lodging for health care workers, first responders, correctional officers and others on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic who don’t want to go home and risk exposing their families or picking up the virus from the community.  People interested in the option should contact their employer or call 833-220-0018. The phone line will be staffed 24 hours a day.
• As part of an agreement between the University of Nebraska system and State of Nebraska, two UNK residence halls are prepared as potential care sites for individuals in quarantine, isolation or recovering from COVID-19. The Nebraska National Guard, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, area hospitals and others are utilizing these alternative care sites during the coronavirus pandemic. DHHS will determine who receives care at the alternative care sites. Individuals should apply online at https://cip-dhhs.ne.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=K97PH77LYL. Additional inquiries can be directed to DHHS at 1-833-220-0018. The state does not intend to use UNK housing for emergency responders or health care personnel.

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.