Coronavirus Update
THRIVE PENINSULA SERVICE UPDATES & NEEDS
Page updated: 2/4/2022
There is no more critical time to serve those in need than during a crisis. Those we serve are some of the most vulnerable people in our community and they will be some of the hardest hit. Many of us can overcome lost hours at work or extra medical expenses but this population largely cannot. Instead they are at risk of facing hunger or becoming homeless. That’s why we’re here.
THRIVE is remaining fully operational, serving families with emergency bill assistance, financial coaching, and food relief.
EVICTIONS & UTILITY CUT-OFFS
The federal and state moratoriums on evictions and utility cut-offs have expired, except for families receiving WIC, TANF or other state aid with past-due Dominion Energy bills.
2021 COVID-19 RELIEF (Jan - Dec)
THRIVE is continuing to operate at full throttle, serving food, financial assistance, and financial coaching five days per week. Since the start of the pandemic, we have maintained expanded open hours, and added capacity to serve nearly twice as many families through all of our services compared to pre-pandemic times. Plus we have opened up our critical bill relief program to any request that supports financial sustainability such as car repair, or work boots, or childcare expenses. But that's not all.
In December 2021, THRIVE offered Christmas assistance to 427 children through our Let Christmas THRIVE Program. This program began in 2020 when one of our financial coaches realized that families he was working with, who faced hardship due to COVID, did not have any means to provide Christmas presents for their children. As a result, the program was born! Click here to learn more.
We have initiated a food delivery program to reach families who are in quarantine or who struggle with transportation. Since the pandemic began, non-profit partners and churches have picked up and delivered food from our pantry but we know there is still unmet need in our community. That's why we're closing the gap by having a new set of volunteer drivers deliver food to the unreached. In 2021, we delivered groceries to 300 families.
Our facility renovation project is complete! Thanks to grantors, we have increased our cold storage by adding a 3-door commercial fridge which houses produce, milk, and eggs and increased our dry storage by removing built in cabinetry. In fact, we are currently buying an distributing 50 dozen eggs and 50 half gallons of milk. To replace our cabinetry, we ripped out a bathroom and created a new kitchenette which is stocked with beverages and snacks to fuel our 65 weekly volunteers and 4 staff members. Click to view photos of the project.
On July 1 we began administering funds for the Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot, thanks to our partnership with the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula. With these funds, we can assist families that have limited income and other barriers that prevent them from becoming stable and provide ongoing case management. We are thankful for this opportunity to assist more families in crisis.
Thank you for your critical support. All of our efforts to enhance our services for Peninsula families have been made possible by the generosity of our donors. Scroll to the bottom of the page for links to follow us on social media or to subscribe to our newsletter.
2020 COVID-19 RELIEF
Hover your cursor on the slideshow to pause.
-
Visit The Market at THRIVENew appointments are added to the booking page calendar on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays during the early morning hours. We recommend you check the site first thing in the morning. Appointments typically take longer to fill up on the weekends. 🌙THRIVE is open late until 6:30pm 2-3 evenings per month. Those appointments are released the Monday before at 11am so visit the website then to book your slot. 2024 Scheduled evening dates are as follows: August 29, September 12 and 26, October 10, 17 and 24, November 7 and 21, and December 5 If you visit the book page, and there are no appointments available, that means they have already been booked. Please try again tomorrow! All shopping visits are by appointment only - no walk-in's. If you need immediate food assistance, visit https://hrfoodbank.org/need-food/ for other food distribution site info If you are unable to get an appointment, you can call 757-877-6211 x2 and ask to be put on the Market Wait List Click here to book a visit to The Market at THRIVE. What is The Market at THRIVE? It's a free food market where you can pick out 100% of the food you bring home. We focus on fresh foods and stock a variety of fresh and frozen items, as well as shelf-stable goods. This Market is open to anyone who is a resident of Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown or Poquoson. There are no income restrictions to book a visit. Anyone is eligible to shop for groceries every 30 days. Statement of Non Discrimination: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
-
Financial Assistance (rent, utilities, childcare, transportation, etc.)Requirements for applicant to receive assistance* have household income that exceeds monthly rental cost by $500 or more per month. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED. be experiencing an emergency situation with no other way to pay the bill, having exhausted savings, retirement, family help resident of Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, or Poquoson name of applicant is on bill bill is a critical need such as utilities, rent, childcare, etc., which is linked to household sustainability (transportation, car repairs, work uniform or equipment) applicant can supply a portion of the total amount requested TAKE OUR ELIGIBILITY SCREENER to see if you qualify for help CLICK HERE to answer a short questionnaire. If you meet the basic qualifications, you will be linked to our application. *There is no guarantee that we will be able to assist you. THRIVE receives a high volume of requests and has a limited amount of funding available. At the core of THRIVE’s ministry is financial coaching services. Applicants who are extended an appointment for assistance will be required to bring in paperwork that demonstrates your complete household income and expenses for a financial coaching session.*
-
Level Up Financial CoachingLearn how to balance your budget, get out of debt, improve your credit score, or reach your personal financial goals. Plus, you can earn incentives when you reach financial milestones through our new Level Up program. Call us today to be paired with a coach: 757-877-6211 ext. 4. This is a free service and all coaches sessions are 100% judgement-free and confidential.
-
Help Getting IDs/ Birth Certificates / Social Security CardsWe will help you obtain copies of the following documents: lost I.D.s birth certificate social security card Book an appointment for this service
-
Benefits Help - Apply for Food Stamps, Social Security, Medicaid, and other resourcesWe will help you apply for the following programs: food stamps social security Medicaid other benefits Book an appointment for this service
-
Free Legal Documents: Will, Power of Attorney, Advanced Medical DirectiveBook an appointment to start the process. This program is offered for free in partnership with Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia.
-
Who Else Can Help Me?There are two main referral lines in the community that can direct you to other helping agencies. United Way Community Assistance Network: 757-229-2222 Housing Crisis Hotline: 757-587-4202