GROCERIES AND FOOD
Takoma Park Silver Spring Coop is taking orders online, for curbside pickup. They are also open to the public. See their website for more details: https://tpss.coop/.
See our Delivery page (under "Links and Resources") for information on grocery stores that deliver.
If you are a member of the Village of TP, and need help picking up groceries, please call us at 301-646-2109. We have volunteers who can help!
See also our web page "Food Matters" for information on food resources (Meals on Wheels, Manna, etc.).
And see Montgomery County Food Council's website for information on food resources during the pandemic. https://mocofoodcouncil.org/covid-19-local-food-system-resources/#unique-identifier
INFORMATION SOURCES:
Note that the situation is continually changing. Some trusted sources for up-to-date information are:
Center for Disease Control: cdc.gov
Montgomery County: montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19
Maryland Dept. of Health: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/Pages/Novel-coronavirus.aspx
Covid Act Now (covidactnow.org) is a multidisciplinary team of technologists, epidemiologists, health experts, and public policy leaders working to provide disease intelligence and data analysis on COVID in the U.S.. They work in partnership with the Georgetown University Center for Global Health Science and Security, Stanford University Clinical Excellence Research Center, and Grand Rounds. You can sign up for daily emails with up-to-date data and links to articles.
The New York Times and Washington Post are offering free access to their coronavirus coverage. See nytimes.com/coronavirus and washingtonpost.com/coronavirus.
MASKS:
How to Find a Quality Mask (and Avoid Counterfeits)
How to Reuse N95, KN95, and Other Disposable Masks
RESOURCES: HOW TO GET HELP
See: https://bit.ly/d20services, a list from the office of District 20 State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, with information on help with food, unemployment insurance, health care, mental health resources and more. Note that this list was last updated in 2020, so some information may be out-of-date.
RESOURCES: HOW TO GIVE HELP
See https://bit.ly/d20givinghelp, a list from the office of District 20 State Delegate Lorig Charkoudian, for places to donate and volunteer. Here are some additions to this list:
SCAMS
Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding COVID-10. For more information on scams and fraud, visit the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing. And see our page on Scams and Frauds - scroll to the bottom of the page.
STAYING CONNECTED AND COMBATING LONELINESS:
Help from the Village: Do you live alone? Would you like a Village volunteer to check in with you by phone on a regular basis? If so, and you're a member of the Village, please call us at 301-646-2109.
Help from the City of TP: The City Recreation Department is also connecting folks in this time of social distancing. If you'd like to receive a call, or help make calls, email JavonteM@takomaparkmd.gov or call the Recreation Department's senior coordinator Paula Lisowski at 240-687-4132.
Senior Call Check Program (1-866-50-CHECK) is a free, opt-in, telephonic service to check on Maryland’s older residents. The program is also currently providing messages and updates regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and where to find support if needed. https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/senior-call-check.aspx
The Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) is a 24/7 toll-free, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This resource provides multilingual, and confidential crisis support. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Well Connected (877-797-7299) is a free program offering activities, education, support groups, and friendly conversation over the phone or online. https://covia.org/services/well-connected/
AARP Community Connections - aarpcommunityconnections.org/ - is a new online platform you can visit to receive support from groups that already existed or have emerged to meet the crisis created by the virus. The site is free; AARP membership not required.
For additional ongoing programs offering calls to seniors, see our Senior Check-In Services page.
TAKOMA PARK EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND
The City of Takoma Park has an Emergency Assistance Fund that provides financial support to income-eligible residents in crisis. Anyone who is in need of assistance or wishes to donate, can find more information here.
TESTING
Montgomery County is offering free COVID-19 tests for Montgomery County residents. There's no need for a doctor's referral. For more information (including links to other testing options), see montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/testing.html or call 240-777-1755 8 am - 6 pm 7 days a week. The nearest test site to Takoma Park is the Dennis Avenue Health Center, 2000 Dennis Avenue, Silver Spring, More COVID-19 information from the County is available at montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/.
SamedayHealth at 8303-A Georgia Ave., Silver Spring (near Georgia and Rt. 410) offers PCR tests (free with insurance) with results in less than 40 hours, less than 16 hours for an additional $75 fee. They are open daily, including Saturday and Sunday. For more information, and to schedule an appointment, see https://samedayhealth.com/covid19-testing.
This site is now permanently closed, according to a check of its website in June 2023.
CVS and Walgreen's offer at-home test kits as well as testing on site.
For updates on access to free rapid tests through the US government and from Montgomery County Public Libraries, see https://montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/testing/rapid-tests.html
To check on extended expiration dates of at-home covid tests, go to: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagn
COVID VACCINE INFO
COUNTY:
Montgomery County COVID-19 information portal: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/.
STATE OF MARYLAND:
Maryland CovidLINK https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine - click on “Find a Vaccination Site”
DRUGSTORES:
GIANT
SAFEWAY
CVS - book an appointment online or call (800) 746-7287
WALGREENS
| Disclaimer: Note that in its "Links and Resources" pages, the Village of Takoma Park seeks to share information passed along by presenters at our Aging Well events and gathered from the City and County governments, area non-profits, and friends of the Village. Please be aware this is not an exhaustive list, nor are we endorsing particular resources. |