Family Resources
Information and Programs To Support Families
Food Resources
You can apply for food, cash and child care assistance from home. Apply online at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. The online application does experience heavy traffic from 11am – 3pm. Please try to use the online application in the early morning or late evening hours. You can also apply for benefits over the phone. Find the number for your local DHS office by calling 2-1-1 from any phone.
Grab and Go Meal Sites
Gresham Barlow is providing breakfast and lunch to students, either through school pick-up or delivery along certain routes by school bus. Lunch and breakfast for the next day, can be picked up between specific hours at a number of school sites. During the lunch pick-up, students will also be given a cold breakfast for the next day. There is no longer a separate pick-up for breakfast. You do not have to go to your school to pick up - you can go to any location. Pick up sites were updated as of May 4. For a list of pick-up locations at schools, click here:
Meal Distribution In Neighborhoods - New Times effective 4/27
Meals are also being delivered via school bus on selected routes. Beginning April 7, there is only one delivery per day. This delivery will be mid-day for lunch. At that time, students will also be given a cold breakfast to take home for the next day. For food distribution bus routes, click here.
Food Pantries
East County Food Pantry - Grace Community Church, 800 SE Hogan Road, Gresham, Wednesdays from 12-2.
Metropolitan Family Services Food Pantries: available this week (4/27 - 5/1) - will be updated each week (MFS Hunger Relief Team).
The types of foods you can expect at these distributions will vary from day to day, but will include some combination of oil, margarine, meat, 3-6 fresh produce items, canned fruit and vegetables, canned and dry beans, cereal, shelf-stable milk, rice, pasta, applesauce, etc. There are no restrictions to shop- everyone is welcome! All sites will be held outside and are "shopping-style" (with very specific parameters set to keep clients apart and volunteers and staff safe) unless otherwise noted. Click here for more information.
Cherry Park Elementary School - 1930 SE 104th Ave. Portland 97216 Mondays 3:45pm- 5:15pm
Note: We will be handing out pre-packed bags at this site
Glenfair Elementary School - 15300 SE Glisan St, Portland 97230 Tuesdays 3:30pm-5:00pm
Alder Elementary School - 17200 SE Alder St, Portland 97233 Wednesdays 4pm-6pm
David Douglas High School - 1400 SE 130th Ave, Portland 97233 Thursdays 5pm-6:30pm
Note: This location is different from the main campus on 135th Ave.
Parklane Elementary School - 15811 SE Main St, Portland 97233 Fridays 12:30pm-2:30pm
SnowCap
Give out pre-packed boxes of as much fresh and frozen food as possible. Food boxes are being given out outside the front doors and there may be a wait. Please dress warmly.
Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm, plus Monday and Wednesday 6-8pm
17805 SE Stark St., Portland, OR 97233, (503) 674-8785 SnowCap Community Charities - Home
Sunshine Division
Free food box pick-up available near entrance, with no contact between people.
Tuesday-Friday, between 9:30 - 11, and 12:30 - 3:30. Saturday 9-1.
12436 SE Stark Street, Portland. 971-255-0834. Get Help
Sunshine Division Delivery Service beginning Monday, April 6.
A “no contact” home delivery model begins on Monday, April 6th, for anyone who is homebound, medically fragile, and/or unable to leave their home.
In the next ten weeks, Portland Police Bureau officers will home deliver 200 food boxes to families and individuals within Portland and Gresham five days a week, for a total of 1,000 home deliveries every week. This means an average of 27,000 weekly meals!
Visit this link to request a food box: https://sunshine-division.cyrkusevents.com/ and share with others in need.
Operation Share Hope Drive-Through
The Salvation Army will begin serving Food Boxes at three regional locations as a drive-thru service, starting on Monday, May 4. The public can visit any of the following three locations:
• MONDAY at Lloyd Center (2201 Lloyd Center) between 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Enter from Multnomah St. directly across from Regal Lloyd Center & IMAX.
• WEDNESDAY at East Hill Church in Gresham (701 N Main Ave) between 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
• FRIDAY at Clackamas Town Center(12000 SE 82nd Ave, Happy Valley) between 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Located on the corner of Monterey Ave. & 82nd.
For more information visit Portland.SalvationArmy.Org. For information about our services, you can call 503-794-3199.
Oregon Food Bank
Oregon Food Bank- Food Finder These are additional food distribution centers by zip-code with hours, addresses, and phone numbers. Includes some resources above as well as other locations.
Operation Gresham Connected — NEW!
For families who need delivery of food/medication/supplies, please contact GreshamConnected@GreshamOregon.gov, 503-618-2111
SNAP Benefits - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Everything is normal with SNAP and benefits will continue to be available on their regular schedule. SNAP debit cards can now be used to order food online through Amazon and Walmart for home delivery across Oregon. Please note that there are delivery fees (which SNAP benefits cannot pay for).
To apply for SNAP benefits:
Complete an online SNAP application and submit electronically
Visit an Oregon Department of Human Services SNAP office and fill out a paper or online application in person. The nearest office is 11826 NE Glisan, 971-673-0909. Call ahead to determine what social distancing policies are currently in place.
Contact Multnomah County SNAP Enrollment Specialist and set up an appointment, any time of the week at 503.320.6658 or 503.928.9689.
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) — NEW!
Households with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will receive cash benefits for the meals they would have received at school even if they have been accessing meals from schools during the closure. The benefit is equivalent to one free lunch and breakfast for each eligible child – $5.70 per normal school day for the months of March, April, May and June. Eligible SNAP households will have their March, April and May benefits automatically deposited to their existing EBT accounts in late May. Students who get free or reduced-price school meals but do not receive SNAP benefits will automatically receive an Oregon Trail Card in the mail.
Families who are not currently signed up for free and reduced lunch, but who have experienced significant income loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may now be eligible, can apply online here. If the family qualifies for free and reduced lunch, then they will also receive the new benefit through an Oregon Trail card in the mail. The funds provided through the Pandemic EBT are available to eligible households regardless of their immigration status.
Benefits will be retroactive to March 16 for students who received free and reduced-price meals when schools closed. For newly eligible free or reduced-price meals or SNAP households, benefits will start at the beginning of the month they become eligible. Eligible families will receive the following for each child: $69 for March, $126 for April, $120 in May, $69 in June.
Apply for food, cash and child care assistance from home. Apply online at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. The online application does experience heavy traffic from 11am – 3pm. Please try to use the online application in the early morning or late evening hours. You can also apply for benefits over the phone. Find the number for your local DHS office by calling 2-1-1 from any phone.
Rental/Housing Assistance
Multnomah County Restriction on Evictions: Multnomah County residents cannot be evicted for not paying rent during the entire time the county and city are under a state of emergency. This applies to anyone with substantial loss of income due to COVID-19 by way of job loss, job closure, reduction in work hours, missing work due to a child’s school closure, and missing work due to sickness or the illness of a family member. Rent owed to a landlord will continue to accrue during the state of emergency, but without late fees. There will be a six-month repayment grace period, which will begin as soon as the state of emergency ends. As of right now, this is in effect until May 31st, with possible extensions. Renters must notify their landlords the day before rent is due.
Oregon Rent Relief Program: In May, Oregon allocated $8.5 million to provide rent assistance. Rent assistance is available regardless of immigration status.The assistance is provided through 18 community agencies, including the Multnomah County Department of Human Services. To view the entire list of 18 agencies, please click here.
To apply, you must call, email, or text 211 when the wait list is open. Visit the 211info website, or dial 2-1-1 frequently to check if the wait list is open. The waitlist will open once or twice each week and about 100 applications are accepted to the waitlist each time it opens. After being placed on the wait list, household information will be shared with a community partner who will follow up for further intake and assessment. Being placed on the wait list does not guarantee assistance. To be eligible, households must have experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19 and household income must be less than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Home Forward works with community agencies to provide hotel vouchers, rent support, help with evictions and housing support for people at risk for homelessness. Offices are currently closed, but you can reach them by phone or email: (503) 802-8300 or info@homeforward.org
Families needing help with housing or rental assistance, should contact 211info, which is a resource clearinghouse phone line. Here are the ways to contact them:
Dial 211 (toll-free)
Text your zip code to 898211
Email help@211info.org (link sends e-mail) (Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm)
Search 211info.org
If you have lost housing, are doubled-up with another family due to economic hardship, living in a motel or community shelter, park, car or campground and need assistance, please contact the Gresham-Barlow Federal Programs office at 503-261-4579 or singleterry@gresham.k12.or.us.
Utility Resources
PGE, NW Natural, and Portland and Gresham Water Bureaus will not disconnect services for non-payment, or charge late fees for those who are unable to afford to right now. Amounts owing will continue to accrue, and the companies will work with customers on re-payment plans. More details can be found on their websites.
For Help Paying Utility Bills call 211 or go to 211info.org/energy. This utility assistance page gets updated daily. There you’ll find a list of organizations providing energy assistance and their application process. Most organizations ask that you leave a voicemail with your name and phone number, when their energy line opens. These energy lines can close quickly, in a matter of minutes, so it’s important to call right when the energy line opens.Leaving a voicemail does not guarantee a call back.You will need proof of household income (wages, SNAP/TANF benefits, child support, etc.), identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.), SSN’s for all household members who have one, and a copy of the utility bill. Most organizations are allowing applicants to send all documentation via text, as a picture. Something to note is that a couple of organizations receive funding from the same place, so if you have already received assistance from one, you wouldn’t be eligible to receive assistance from the other. Some ask that you wait one year to apply again.
PGE Utility Bill Assistance: Financial help for PGE bills may also be available through these organizations:
El Programa Hispano - 503-489-6842
Human Solutions - 503-405-7877
IRCO − Asian Family Center - 503-235-4932
Native American Youth and Family Center - 503-288-8177 x322
Self Enhancement Inc.- 503-713-5590
The City of Gresham has a Utility Customer Assistance Program which can provide limited funds to pay the utility bill for a customer experiencing financial hardship. Each situation is considered individually, to allow funds to help the most customers. The customer must have a Gresham utility bill account and the funds are for single-family residences only. Customer's monthly income cannot exceed 150% of the federal poverty level. For more information and to apply click here.
Comcast/Xfinity is offering wifi, hotspots & data free of charge, regardless of whether or not someone is an existing customer. They are also waiving late fees during the outbreak. A hotspot locator as well as other information is available at Comcast Announces Comprehensive COVID-19 Response to Help Keep Americans Connected to the Internet
Comcast also offers Internet Essentials for $9.95/ month (prices subject to change). For qualifying customers who apply before 6/30/2020, they are offering two months free. After that time, customers can cancel or they will be charged the monthly rate. To sign up by phone, call 1-855-846-8376 or 1-855-765-6995 (Spanish).
Oregon Worker Relief Fund
For Our Undocumented Community Members
Oregon Worker Relief Fund: Provides financial support directly to Oregonians who have lost their jobs yet are ineligible for unemployment Insurance and federal stimulus relief, due to their immigration status. This assistance does NOT need to be paid back and will NOT count in a public charge test. To be eligible you must be an undocumented immigrant who is 18 years of age or older, an Oregon resident, an Oregon worker before or on February 1, 2020, and you have lost wages due to the pandemic and are experiencing a hardship.
To apply: Starting Monday, June 15, 2020, you may contact one of the community partners below. Please only contact ONE organization. You can apply even if you don't receive pay stubs and even if you do not have an ID.
Adelante Mujeres
English, Spanish
https://www.adelantemujeres.org/
971-280-6800
Asian Pacific American Network of
Oregon (APANO)
English, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Tagalog,
Cantonese, Tagalog, Khmer, Hmong
https://www.facebook.com/APANONews/
971-238-2186
Bienestar
English, Spanish
http://www.bienestar-or.org/oregon-worker-relief-fund/
LatinoNetwork
English, Spanish
503-283-6881
Voz Workers’ Rights Education Project
English, Spanish
503-233-6787
ext. 1003
Causa Oregon
English, Spanish
Farmworkers Rental Relief Fund: Has been providing financial assistance to farm working Oregonians, since the beginning of the pandemic, regardless of their immigration status. Farm workers include field workers, landscapers, nursery workers, etc. They are one of the 18 agencies who received funding from the Oregon Rent Relief Program in May. Call 1-855-215-6158, ext. #1. If necessary, please leave only one voicemail with your name and phone number. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM
Support from these organizations may also be available:
United We Dream: NationalUndocFund
Betancourt Macias Family Scholarship Foundation
El Programa Hispano - 503-489-6842
The Oregon Rent Relief Program: If you live in Multnomah County, please contact 211
when the waitlist opens in order to apply.
Federal Coronovirus Payment Information
IRS instructions on the corona virus payments coming out to taxpayers.
Economic impact payments: What you need to know
To be eligible to receive the economic impact payments, the IRS has to verify the income levels either from a 2018 or 2019 tax return. If you did not file a tax return those years, the IRS is working on a simplified method to file a return. Another way to file quickly is to use the free file software found here if your income was below $69,000 and you can use a simple tax return.
Signing Up for Gmail
It is important that students and parents have access to a gmail account for online schooling. If you don’t have an account, you can sign up for free. Step by step information to sign up for an account can be found here: Gmail: Setting Up a Gmail Account
Diapers/Wipes Resources
ROSE HAVEN is a day shelter for women but also can help with diapers. Women-only walk-in. Please call in advance. (503) 248-6364.
CLACKAMAS SERVICE CENTER can take diaper requests. Call first (503) 771- 7914. Temporarily, CSC’s hours for direct services are Tues/Thurs between 10am-2pm; please plan on picking up diapers within that time frame
JOIN supports the efforts of homeless individuals and families to transition out of homelessness into permanent housing.Walk in diaper requests welcome, M-F 10-3. Call first (503) 232-7052.
NARA Northwest (Native American Rehabilitation Assoc. NW): Diaper requests welcome at their Child and Family Services location: 620 NE 2nd St., Gresham; Please call first (503) 936-5989.
SNOW CAP takes diaper requests for Multnomah County residents who are East of I-205. Call first: (503) 674-8785.
Free Cell Phone for OHP Members
Lifeline operates as part of the Universal Service Funds and gives either free or great discounts on monthly phone service purchased from participating providers. In addition, it is available to residents with an income that is at 135% or below of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. However, you may need to provide proof of income or proof that you have participated in the program.
For Oregon Health Plan or Medicaid member,
click here – http://www.assurancewireless.com/Public/Welcome.aspx
Applying For Oregon Health Plan
The fastest way to apply for OHP is to go to this link (multiple languages available): Oregon Eligibility Families can apply at any time. There are some pre-screening questions that will determine if they qualify, and if not, they will be directed to other resources. Families can also call 1-800-699-9075 Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm if they need help applying or have questions.
County Health Department Medical and Dental Clinics
County Health Department Clinics provide care regardless of ability to pay. Please call first to make an appointment. If you are experiencing an emergency condition, do not go to a county health clinic, please go to an emergency room or call 911.
Parkrose Student Health Center
Parkrose High School - 12003 NE Shaver (back side of building next to gym entrance).
Hours are M-F 8:30 - 5:00. School age youth only. For appointments - 503-988-3392.
Multnomah County Health Centers serve all ages regardless of ability to pay. Services include adult and child health care, women’s health and pregnancy care, and mental health care.
East County Clinic, 600 NE 8th Street, 3rd floor, Gresham.
Monday - Friday 8-7. Appointments: 503-988-5558.
Mid County Clinic, 12710 SE Division.
Monday - Friday 8-7. Appointments: 503-988-5558.
Rockwood Community Health Center: 2020 SE 182nd
Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm. Appointments: 503-988-5558
NE County Clinic, 5329 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
Monday - Friday 8-7. Appointments: 503-988-5558
County Health Telemedicine/phone consultations - 503-988-5558.
County Dental Clinic - 600 NE 8th Street, Gresham
Monday - Friday 7:30am - 6:30pm. Appointments: 503- 988-4900
Unemployment Resources
Unemployment insurance is ordinarily available for most workers who lose their jobs “through no fault of their own.” File online and do it as soon as possible – it takes a week for benefits to kick in and three weeks before payments start.
As of April 28, the Oregon Unemployment Department is providing unemployment benefits from the CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. This program is for people who may not qualify for regular unemployment benefits, for instance people who are self-employed or independent contractors. Click here to see if you might be eligible (information in multiple languages).
If you have questions about unemployment specifically related to COVID-19: https://www.oregon.gov/employ/Pages/COVID-19.aspx
COVID-19 Scenarios & Benefits Available
To file a regular claim (not through the CARES act), here is: the state's website for filing unemployment insurance claims
Mental Health Resources
Cascadia Mental Health Urgent Walk-In Clinic: Open for anyone experiencing urgent/emergent mental health needs. They are open daily from 9am-9pm. If the person needs to see a prescriber, they should arrive no later than 7pm. 4212 SE Division, Suite 100. 503-963-2575.
Mental Health Crisis Lines:
Portland Suicide Lifeline: 503-972-3456
Multnomah County Mental Health Crisis Line: 503-988-4888
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800 273-TALK En espanol: 1-888-628-9454
Crisis Text Line (text “HOME” to 741741
The Teen Line: 1-310-855-HOPE (4673)
National Youth Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-4663
Child Abuse Reporting Line: 503-731-3100
Grief Support
Providence Health Services offers free grief support groups for adults and children that meet online, as well as a summer camp for children who have lost someone close to them.
Click here for more information.Websites for Stress and Anxiety
Care for Your Coronovirus Anxiety: Care for Your Coronavirus Anxiety
The team at Shine, in partnership with Mental Health America, has vetted and compiled a wealth of research-based and helpful tools to help people manage anxiety related to current events. Contents include articles, meditations, access to mental health experts, anxiety screenings, and more.
Headspace: We're here for you
Free online guided meditations and movement activities to decrease anxiety and enhance well-being.
Educational Resources
Multnomah County Library- 6 month digital library cards are available with an online application.
There are additional learning resources available with a library card including Mango Languages which teaches multiple languages including English.
Master list of educational companies offering free subscriptions right now. Amazing Educational Resources
Scholastic Learn At Home - 20 days free access (up to 3 hours per day) with full online lesson plans for each grade level. https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html?fbclid=IwAR1IYNA7JJ5g8qca_8wx5toYliLQ-h_ZzEx4fdIaBa5Qp6PjQC1w1dNNQZ4
Mystery Science free science lessons: Mystery Science
List of Authors and Illustrators that are doing online story time. Here's the Entire List of Authors and Illustrators That are Doing Online Story Time
OPB Update to TV Schedule to include more Educational Programming
Time for Kids Digital Library free for the rest of the school year
TIME for Kids Launches Free Digital Library
Amazon Prime Kids Movies and TV Shows Free to Stream for Everyone
Other Resources
IRCO (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization) list of Resources including COVID-19 information translated into multiple languages.
Multnomah County COVID-19 information page
Emergency Relief Resources for Portland Metro. Earl Blumenauer’s office has put together a comprehensive list of resources and support for metro residents, which they are continuing to update. Includes information on housing and food, and also lots of resources for educating and entertaining students. COVID-19 Emergency Relief Resources for PDX
COVID19 UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION IN 12 LANGUAGES
https://www.safestrongoregon.org