COVID-19 Basic Resources
Due to City of Dallas regulations regarding COVID-19, Big Thought Headquarters is closed to the public and we are suspending in-person programming until further notice. We will continue to update this page with helpful resources during this uncertain time.
Stay Informed about COVID-19
Global Health Information:
National Health Information:
- CDC Guidelines & Resources for COVID-19
- CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- CDC Traveler’s Health Notices
State & Local Health Information:
- State of Texas: Texas Health and Human Services
- Collin County Health and Human Services
- Dallas County Health and Human Services
- Denton County Health and Human Services
- Tarrant County Health and Human Services
- Baylor Scott & White Health: Information About COVID-19
- Dallas Region Hospitals Ready for Coronavirus with Visitor Screenings, Restrictions, and Online Screening Tools
Are you in crisis? Take a few deep breaths and reach out to one of these hotlines.
Genesis Domestic Violence Hotline – (214) 946-4357 or consult the website https://www.genesisshelter.org/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1 (800) 273-8255 or consult the website https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
North Texas Behavioral Health Authority Crisis Line (866) 260-8000 or consult the website: https://ntbha.org/
In the case of an immediate emergency, please call 911.
Financial Assistance
City of Dallas is trying to coordinate delayed billing and utility cut-off during this time. Click here to learn more about specific providers.
The IRS has resources to extend your tax filing deadline and other related payments. Please visit their website for more information and instructions.
Amazon is hiring during COVID-19 to keep up with online delivery schedule. Find our more information.
Food and Basic Needs
CitySquare Food Pantry is still open with adjusted hours and service. See adjusted schedule.
Dallas County Health and Human Services Older Adult Services Program is providing meals delivered to home-bound seniors or drive-thru hot meal service at select senior centers. Call (214) 819-1860 for more info.
Dallas ISD Grab-and-go Meals are FREE to all children and youth through age 18. Location, dates and menus are available on the Dallas ISD website.
Diaper Day Distribution: Friday, March 27, 2020, 10am – 1pm; Park South YMCA, 2500 Romine, 75215. Free. Diapers for ages 0 – 3 will be distributed by Drive-Thru while supplies last. Each family receives 50 diapers & wipes, or 1 pack of Pull-ups; and 2 sets of socks & underwear. First-come, First-served basis. SUPPLIES ARE FOR THOSE IN NEED, ONLY. Sponsors: I Look Like Love, Carter’s House, Seasons of Change.
Harmony CDC Food Distribution: Mondays, 2pm – 6pm; Tuesdays, 4pm – 6:30pm; Thursdays, 10am – 2pm; Harmony CDC, 6969 Pastor Bailey Drive, #300, 75237 (across from Concord Baptist Church). Free. Food boxes will include nutritional foods based on family size. No geographic or zip code requirements. Volunteers are also needed to unload trucks and stock shelves. Gloves and other protective gear provided. Contact: 214-467-6770
North Texas Food Bank is prepping family meal boxes and distributing through community partners. They are also hiring folks who are out of work through Shiftsmart. Find out more info on their website or call (214) 330-1396.
School meals are also being provided in other area districts. Find your on the School Meal Finder.
Internet & Technology
AT&T is waiving data overage fees to all customers so that families and students can stay connected during the pandemic. They will not terminate service of any customer over the next 60 days. All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet, can use unlimited internet data.
Charter-Spectrum is offering free internet for 60 days for households with students K-college: To enroll in the service you can call 1-844-488-8395, the company says it will waive installation fees for student households.
Comcast is offering new customers 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service. To sign up, applicants can simply visit www.internetessentials.com. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
Sparklight has made unlimited data available on all internet services for the next 30 days. Late fees are waived for customers for the next 60 days. Customers who call to make arrangements can obtain payment deferrals. Sparklight plans to reassess after 30 days based on the continued impact and evolving nature of the virus. Sparklight’s Wi-Fi hotspots are open to the public across Sparklight’s footprint. Customers can call 877-692-2253 for more information and to set up arrangements.
Suddenlink: For households with K-12 and/or college students who may be displaced due to school closures and who do not currently have home internet access, Altice USA is offering its Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution for free for 60 days to new customer households within its footprint. Eligible households interested in this solution can call 888-633-0030 to enroll in the Suddenlink region, which includes Texas.
Verizon is waiving late fees and committing to no discontinuation of service during the next 60 days.
Connections for Displaced Workers
Many employers have critical hiring needs at this time. If you’re currently seeking employment, please utilize these resources below:
Displaced and/or Furloughed Workers:
For workers who have been displaced and/or furloughed, file for your Texas unemployment benefits with the Texas Workforce Commission.
Job Opportunities:
Grocery & Food
- Kroger
- Tom Thumb/Albertsons
- 7-Eleven
- Walmart/Sams Club
- Whole Foods
- HEB/Central Market
- Sprouts
- Target
- Domino’s Pizza
- Papa John’s Pizza
Amazon
Healthcare
- DFW Medical & Healthcare – ALL
- UT Southwestern
- Medical City
- Children’s Hospital
- Texas Health Resources
- Methodist Hospital
- Parkland
- BaylorScott&White
- Texas Scottish Rite
- Census 2020
- Say Yes to Dallas – Jobs
- Jobs in Texas
- Uber Works
- North Texas Food Bank Paid Volunteers: The North Texas Food Bank is closing volunteer shifts to the public next week and using a new, paid volunteer infrastructure through ShiftSmart that employs people in the hospitality, transportation, and restaurant industry who have lost income as a result of slowed consumer activity.
Other
- Baylor Summer VISTA Workers Needed: This 10-week, Summer Associates program ensures that summer food services continue for students on free or reduced lunch programs by creating plans, designing outreach and educational materials, and implementing activities for children. Application Deadline: April 14th.