Tri-Cities residents struggling with bills during coronavirus outbreak can apply for cash

From local agencies to the federal government, help is being offered in the Tri-Cities during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Here’s the latest on applying for cash assistance, a youth contest with prizes, donations, safe grocery shopping and changes for bus riders in the Tri-Cities.

Boys and Girls Club contest

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties is launching a virtual contest for young artists.

The weekly challenge on the Boys and Girls Club’s Virtual Club will be announced on their virtual club each Monday at noon. The virtual club offers content for families and the community while clubs are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pictures or videos of projects completed by youths can be emailed to virtual@greatclubs.org, posted to social media using #VirtualBGCBFC or commenting on their website by 11:59 p.m. Thursday of the same week.

The weekly prize will be announced on the Boys and Girls Club’s Facebook page.

The kick-off challenge is creating watercolor monsters, with the winner receiving a $50 gift card from The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant and Lounge. This week’s entries are due April 24.

Second Harvest given $20,000

Second Harvest received a $20,000 donation from local Allstate agency owners on behalf of the Allstate Foundation.

The money being distributed between the Second Harvest Spokane and Tri-Cities locations.

The donation in honor of National Volunteers Week and part of a bigger effort by Allstate agency to give grants to food banks across the Northwest.

Cash help available

Tri-Cities area residents struggling to pay their electric bills may be eligible to receive money from the Department of Health and Social Services, says the Franklin PUD.

The help is available to state residents regardless of their citizenship status.

Washington residents can apply through DSHS for emergency cash to meet their immediate needs.

The federal government has approved the Disaster Cash Assistance Program in Washington state based on Gov. Jay Inslee’s emergency declaration because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The amount depends on household size, income and need, with a maximum of $363 for a single person up to $1,121 for a household of eight people or more.

DSHS estimates that 175,000 people in the state may be eligible for the cash assistance.

To apply for services call 877-501-2233, with wait times usually less before 11 a.m., or go to WashingtonConnection.org.

Grocery shopping safety

The Benton Franklin Health District has issued guidance for safe grocery shopping, urging residents to shop no more than once a week to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus..

Many stores have increased delivery and pickup options, it said.

If you go to a grocery store, wear a mask and stay six feet away from other people.

Just one person should go to the store and might consider shopping for friends and neighbors who are 60 or older, are pregnant or have underlying health conditions that put them at risk of complications from COVID-19.

Reusable bags should be sanitized, which the district said was also advisable before the new coronavirus pandemic.

Use a disinfecting wipe or wash them in hot water and dry at the highest setting.

Shoppers should wash their hand thoroughly when they get home from the grocery store, but there’s no need to disinfect groceries other than to rinse fresh produce.

“There is no evidence that COVID-19 is spreading through take-out orders or groceries,” the district said in a statement.

Boys & Girls Club receives $5,000

U.S. Cellular has given $5,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties COVID-10 Relief Fund.

The fund helps programs to continue supporting the community during the coronavirus pandemic through childcare for essential workers, food and supply distribution, and support of other nonprofits.

New Pasco transit service begins

Ben Franklin Transit has launched an on-demand transit service in West Pasco.

Riders in the new BFT Connect’s West Pasco service area can request a front door pickup and drop off through the Via mobile app for essential services such as going to pharmacies, grocery stores and health clinics. The Via app is available on the Apple Store for iPhone or on Google Play.

BFT Connect originally was going to launch six connection zones to extend access to public transit by offering shared rides on the first and last mile with the app directing customers to a nearby street corner for pickup.

Instead, the transit agency has made temporary changes in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and launched one of the zones to help with reduced bus routes.

In addition, fees also are being waived during the pandemic, only one passenger is allowed per ride, and a companion if needed, and riders must sit at the back of the bus to follow social distancing guidelines with the driver. Vehicles will be cleaned and disinfected daily.

The remaining five zones will be launched at the end of May.

Free dental work

Columbia Basin Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons is accepting applications to provide free wisdom teeth extractions through its Wisdom for Wisdom program.

Two Tri-Cities area college students will be selected in an effort to offset an additional cost while also paying for higher education.

To apply, go to https://www.cboms.com/wisdom where applicants are asked to watch a video about the wisdom teeth removal procedure, take a quiz and submit a 250-word essay about what they learned.

Columbia Basin Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons will announce the recipients and update the public on their Facebook page.

This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 2:09 PM.