GREENFIELD — Look4Help, the online public resource directory launched last summer by Community Action, recently added a COVID-19-focused section to its list of resources.
The COVID-19 section of Look4Help.org connects users to up-to-date resources pertaining to food, housing, transportation, employment, and other social services as they are affected by the COVID-19 crisis. It also includes a link to where users can find the latest updates from the state and federal governments.
Conway resident Mary McClintock said the COVID-19-focused section grew out of a demand for current information on various local social services. She said at the Community Action food pantry, for example, people were asking about other places they could get food.
“Things are changing so fast that we can’t keep up… It’s changing every day,” said McClintock, Community Collaboration Coordinator at Community Action Pioneer Valley. “That’s why I created this COVID-19 section.”
The COVID-19 section offers resources for those seeking virtual meetings for addiction recovery, and it provides a directory of numbers to call for victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse. Users can also find information on whether certain state and local agencies or nonprofits are open and how they are operating on any given day, as well as updates on the courts and court services.
McClintock said she receives many of her updates from regular virtual meetings with the Franklin County Resource Network, a group that represents over 60 social service providers in the county, according to the Community Action website, which sponsors the network.
“The folks doing all the service providing are trying really hard to meet the expanded need, while working under challenging conditions,” she said. “The need is only going to increase.”
McClintock also noted the additional difficulty of nonprofits and service providers to meet their needs, as they have had to cancel recent or future fundraisers and events that support the services they provide. Those updates can be found on Look4Help’s site, too.
Clare Higgins, executive director at Community Action, said the organization is doing what it can to help in this unprecedented time.
“We’re keeping these resources up to date and encouraging everyone to check frequently as programs and services adapt to meet the need,” she said.
Conway said the community is urged to send suggestions for services that have not been included on the Look4Help site, COVID-19-related, or otherwise. This can be done directly through the site by clicking the “Add/Update Listing” tab at the top of the page, or by emailing McClintock directly at mmcclintock@communityaction.us.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263