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.
2020 IMPACT
This has been a year of struggle and hardship for so many families who have lost their jobs, lost their childcare, and lost their sense of stability. THRIVE is here to offer help and support to keep families afloat.
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The Market at THRIVE & THRIVE To-Go🛒 Book a visit to The Market at THRIVE The Market is a free grocery-style food pantry where you choose all your own items including fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable foods. Open to residents of Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, and Poquoson. No income limits. One visit every 30 days. 🌙 Market late hours (until 6:15 PM) are offered 2–3 times per month. Those appointments are posted the Monday before at 11 AM - mark your calendar! 🚪 All visits are by appointment only - no walk-ins. 🌙 Book a THRIVE To-Go Food Locker for pre-packed groceries you can pick up at your convenience. This option is great for those who need a flexible window of time to pick up or need to visit outside of normal business hours. 💡 If you need immediate help, visit hrfoodbank.org/need-food for other local food distribution options. HELP! I'm trying to book an appointment, but there is nothing available all month! 📅 New appointments are added daily (except Thursdays) in the early morning. We recommend checking the site first thing in the morning. If you don't see any appointments, check back tomorrow. 📞 If no appointments are available, call 757-877-6211 x2 to join The Market Wait List. 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.
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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.*
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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.
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Benefits - Apply for SNAP, Medicaid, etcWe will help you apply for the following programs: SNAP (food stamps) childcare assistance Medicaid other benefits Book an appointment for this service
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Vital Documents - 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
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Legal Documents - Will, Power of Attorney, Advanced Medical DirectiveThis program is offered for free in partnership with Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia. Legal Aid services are free based on household income. Call Barbara at 757-866-3910 to see if you qualify.
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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