- Home
- Your Government
- Go Anoka County
- SHIP
- COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Resources
Please visit the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Situation Summary page for up-to-date information regarding coronavirus and the response in Anoka County.
Anoka County SHIP has compiled a variety of resources to support the community during this time. Resources are organized by topic below and include food access, physical activity, tobacco cessation, mental well-being, and violence prevention. There are also resources specific to youth/families, seniors, food shelves, schools, and workplaces. We will be updating this resource list regularly.
- Food Resources for Residents
- Physical Activity
- Mental Well-Being
- Domestic Violence & Violence Prevention
- Resources for Youth/Families
- Resources for Seniors
- Resources for Tobacco Users & Lung Health
- Resources for Food Shelves
- Resources for Schools
- Resources for Workplaces
Anoka County Food Resource Guide
- Minnesota Food HelpLine: 1-888-711-1151
- Callers can speak directly with someone to receive individualized food resources and support applying for services such as SNAP and WIC.
Minnesota Department of Human Services: Food Support Assistance Website
- The Department of Human Services has created a new website to offer resources to find emergency food support and apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- In addition, there are links to local food shelves and other state/federal assistance.
Free Meals for Kids During COVID-19 Closings
- The "Free Meals for Kids" app can be downloaded for free here, the Apple App Store, or Google Play.
- Hunger Solutions is also maintaining a map of locations offering free meals for kids.
Free Food Distribution at Select YMCA Locations
- The YMCA is partnering with Every Meal to distribute free healthy meals to families in need at select YMCA locations.
- Families may pick up food during open hours Monday through Friday at select YMCAs and choose a food bag non-perishable meal package.
- View locations and more information via link above.
- Please call ahead to confirm the food shelf is still providing services and to check changes in the schedule or distribution procedures. Hours and offerings are subject to change.
Meals on Wheels in Anoka County
- Call to see if you are eligible and to set up a drop-off time.
Metro Mobility and Transit Link are offering grocery delivery or delivery from food shelves for existing/certified clients.
- Call Transit Link at 651-602-5465 or Metro Mobility at 651-602-1111
- For details and more information, please visit the Transit Link or Anoka County Transit page.
- The four-bag limit remains in effect and a photo ID will be required at drop-off.
Anoka County Parks and Recreation
- Parks and trails are currently still open! Please maintain social distancing and minimize contact with surfaces.
- Virtual Parks: Explore the parks through self-guided activities
Staying Active During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Ideas for ways to stay active while maintaining social distancing.
Free Exercise Examples and Videos
- Free exercise videos for working out at home or in your workspace.
- Free (for a limited time) health and fitness videos including yoga, bootcamp, barre, cycling, activities for older adults, kids’ activities, etc.
Anoka County Crisis Line: 763-755-3801
- Open and here to help 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
- Free and confidential
- Support for mental health crises, anxiety, depression, COVID-19 worries, hopelessness, thoughts of suicide, etc.
- Services are free of charge to Anoka County residents and are provided via telehealth or in person using social distancing.
- Mental Health MN offers crisis support, free professional mental health support, and peer support options.
- Call toll-free at 833-HERE4MN (833-437-4466) for free, confidential, anonymous support from a volunteer mental health professional. Open 9am-9pm, 7 days per week.
- The Minnesota Warmline provides a peer-to-peer approach to mental health recovery, support and wellness. Calls are answered by professionally trained Certified Peer Specialists, who have first hand experience living with a mental health condition. Open Monday - Saturday, 12pm - 10pm. Call 877-404-3190 or text "support" to 85511.
Minnesota Department of Health: Behavioral Health and COVID-19
- There are mental and behavioral health resources available on the MDH website.
- Resources specific to COVID-19 include:
- Responder Resources
- Health Care Provider Resources
- Community Resources
- Child and Family Resources
- Mental Illness Support Resources
- Helplines
Supporting Well-Being During COVID-19
- Tips from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for individuals and families - many resources are linked in this document.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide: contains resources for anxiety, loneliness and isolation, finding a provider/accessing care, and other support.
- Resources for individuals with mental illness, friends and family members, and providers.
Mayo Clinic: COVID-19 and Your Mental Health
- Self-care strategies, tips for reducing stress, and information about recognizing stress typical and not typical stress reactions.
- General self-care and stress management strategies as well as tips for parents/caregivers, individuals at higher risk for serious illness, people coming out of quarantine, and responders/providers.
Change to Chill Virtual Care Package
- For students, parents, and teachers. Activities for de-stressing that can be done as a class, as a family, one-on-one with a child, or as an individual.
Taking Care of Yourself in Isolation
- Tips for self-care, managing stress, supporting your mental health, maintaining healthy communication, and preventing isolation.
Helplines
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free: 1-800-799-7233 and through chat.
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and through chat.
- The StrongHearts Native Helpline for domestic/sexual violence is available 7am-10pm CT, confidential, and specifically for Native communities: 1−844-762-8483.
- The Trans LifeLine for peer support for trans folks 9am-3am CT: 1-877-565-8860 This hotline is staffed exclusively by trans operators is the only crisis line with a policy against non-consensual active rescue.
- National Parent Helpline Monday -Friday 12pm-9am CT emotional support and advocacy for parents: 1-855-2736
- Crisis, safety planning, and self care resources, as well as resources for domestic/sexual violence agencies and organizations
Violence Free Minnesota
- Resources for supporting children’s emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Youth and Family Resources During COVID-19
Women’s Advocates School-Based Prevention Education
- Online learning about dating violence and family violence including a 4-part video series and 5-part video series with pre- and post-tests.
Free Meals for Kids During COVID-19 Closings
- The "Free Meals for Kids" app can be downloaded for free here, the Apple App Store, or Google Play.
- Hunger Solutions is also maintaining a map of locations offering free meals for kids.
Mental Well-Being
- Supporting Well-Being During COVID-19: Tips from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for individuals and families - many resources are linked in this document.
- Change to Chill Virtual Care Package: For students, parents, and teachers. Activities for de-stressing that can be done as a class, as a family, one-on-one with a child, or as an individual.
- Violence Free Minnesota: Resources for supporting children’s emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19
Physical Activity
- 25 Ways to Get Kids Moving at Home
- YMCA 360: On-Demand Videos: Group workout videos (free for a limited time) including Kid’s Activities
- Health Powered Kids Virtual Care Package: Ideas for keeping kids active and healthy as a class or family.
Vaping and Tobacco
- Teens, Vaping, and COVID-19: Free resources to help your child quit
Benefits and Legal Resources
- Bridge to Benefits COVID-19 Resources: Information about emergency modifications to public programs, financial resources, child care, health care, and nutrition/food access.
- Judicare of Anoka County: Resources and information about unemployment, immigration, and insurance.
General
- Youth and Family Resources During COVID-19
- Action for Healthy Kids: Resources for schools and families during COVID-19
- Anoka County Parks and Recreation
- Parks and trails are currently still open! Please maintain social distancing and minimize contact with surfaces.
- Virtual Parks: Explore the parks through self-guided activities
- List of Resources and Things to Do with Kids in Anoka County
- Free Learning Opportunities from Home
- Performances
- Virtual Field Trips
- Virtual Museums
Resources for Older Adults During COVID-19
- Resources divided by category including prescription/grocery delivery, day services, care coordination, home care, chores, elder abuse, health and well-being, home meals, social support, transportation, etc.
- Ability to filter by resource type and county.
Meals on Wheels in Anoka County
- Call to see if you are eligible and to set up a drop-off time.
- Free workout videos for seniors that focus on balance, flexibility, endurance, and strength.
- Free (for a limited time) physical activity videos including Active Older Adults and Tai Chi classes.
In general, people who smoke, use e-cigarettes, or vape are at a higher risk of lung infections and more serious illness.
- Minnesota’s new commercial tobacco cessation program is offering FREE quit-tobacco services to MN residents who use any form of commercial tobacco including cigarettes, e-cigarettes/vapes, and chew.
- Free support includes personalized coaching, email and text support, educational materials, and quit medication (nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges) delivered by mail.
- For information or to enroll, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit quitpartnermn.com
American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking Program - FREE Enrollment
- From now until April 30th (until supplies last), individuals currently enrolled or interested in enrolling in an in-person group Freedom From Smoking clinic will be eligible to receive a free one-year membership to American Lung Association’s premiere cessation program Freedom From Smoking through their online option Freedom From Smoking Plus ($99.95 value).
- Freedom From Smoking Plus is self-paced, accessible through any digital device including
smartphones, tablets, laptops or computer and designed to provide one full year of continuous support in quitting and maintaining a tobacco-free lifestyle.
Tobacco Use and COVID-19 Infographic
- Tips for talking to your teen and free resources to help them quit
UMN Extension COVID-19 Food Shelf Resource Guide
- This guide is intended for food shelves and partner organizations who support them. It contains information regarding best practices, prevention practices, resources for obtaining food, informational posters, and much more.
COVID-19 Information for Food Shelves
- Hunger Solutions will be regularly updating this page with resources for food shelves.
Curbside Pickup and Delivery Model
- This resource from UMN Extension is written for small town grocery stores; however, it contains tips for including a curbside pickup and delivery model that may also be useful for food shelves.
- The resource from UMN Extension contains suggestions for food items that are available, affordable, easy to prepare (in case someone is ill), and have sufficient caloric content. An option for food shelves or grocery stores that are pre-packing for guest pickup or delivery.
- This is just a guide for planning a two-week menu, it does not have to be followed exactly. Food shelves are not expected to provide all of the food on the food list.
- TEFAP food availability changes quickly and some foods on the list may be subject to change.
Feeding Your Family With What’s In the Box
- A helpful handout that can be included in pre-packed food boxes that includes recipe and snack ideas, cooking tips, and additional resources for finding food.
- The handout is also available in Spanish.
- Recommendations for washing fresh produce, shopping at the grocery store, delivery/takeout, and cleaning/sanitizing/disinfecting surfaces.
- Additional food safety information can be found on MDH’s Food Safety During the COVID-19 Pandemic page.
Metro Mobility and Transit Link will provide deliveries from food shelves.
- Call Anoka County Transit at 763-324-3106 for more information and to receive support with logistics for your food shelf.
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) COVID-19 Updates
- Resources for schools and families during COVID-19
- Grant Funding Available: Emergency Meal Distribution Equipment Grants to distribute food safely, create grab-and-go/curbside pick-up, and mobile delivery. Equipment could include coolers, insulated bags, carts, packaging and even personal protection equipment to be used now and into the fall. For more information and to apply, visit this web page.
Change to Chill Virtual Care Package
- For students, parents, and teachers. Activities for de-stressing that can be done as a class, as a family, one-on-one with a child, or as an individual.
Health Powered Kids Virtual Care Package
- Ideas for keeping kids active and healthy as a class or family.
Women’s Advocates School-Based Prevention Education
- Online learning about dating violence and family violence including a 4-part video series and 5-part video series with pre- and post-tests.
Small Business Association’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Now is a great opportunity to promote/utilize your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that may be offered through your health insurance
- From the Employee Assistance Professionals Association: EAPs serve organizations and their employees in multiple ways, ranging from consultation at the strategic level about issues with organization-wide implications to individual assistance to employees and family members experiencing personal difficulties.
- In general, an EAP is a set of professional services specifically designed to improve and/or maintain the productivity and healthy functioning of the workplace and to address a work organization’s particular business needs through the application of specialized knowledge and expertise about human behavior and mental health.
- More specifically, an EAP is a workplace program designed to assist: (1) work organizations in addressing productivity issues, and (2) ’employee clients’ in identifying and resolving personal concerns, including health, marital, family, financial, alcohol, drug, legal, emotional, stress, or other personal issues that may affect job performance.
Helping Employees to Reduce Stress and Improve Their Wellbeing Webinar
Supervisor Tips & Tools for Motivating Remote Staff to Stay Engaged and Productive
Protecting Employees’ Mental Health During COVID-19: Top Tips to Keep in Mind
Quick Tips to Take care of Your Wellbeing During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Six Daily Questions to Ask Yourself in Quarantine