FORT MYERS, Fla. — As the rapid spread of coronavirus increasingly impacts more parts of Southwest Florida, United Way is bumping up their relief efforts to help several local communities.
United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee is working with Lee County Emergency Management and has activated a 2-1-1 Helpline to provide current local resource information related to the COVID-19 virus.
The non-profit says trained staff and volunteers can assist callers with with local cancellations, closings, and the daily status for schools, government offices, day cares and events.
By calling 2-1-1 or (239) 433-3900, the helpline will also have information on local food distribution, safety precautions, social distancing and self-isolation.
As the COVID-19 situation evolves, United Way is also assisting businesses with food rescue. They say restaurants cutting hours or production, may need a way to reallocate excess food.
The non-profit is now helping local restaurants by coordinating the pick-up and distribution of their perishable and non-perishable food items. After, they coordinate ways to distribute the donated food to agencies working with local families in need.
Thursday morning, Fox 4 is talking with United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee at their Fort Myers campus about all the COVID-19 resources they have available.
For more information on United Way and the available services, click here.
To connect to the Facebook page of United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee, click here.
