Covid-19 Resources

The Homeless Services Consortium, City of Madison, and Dane County are coordinating efforts with Public Health Madison & Dane County to develop protocols, best practices and next steps for serving people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that people experiencing homelessness are more vulnerable to infectious diseases and want to provide the most up to date information possible. This guide is intended for homeless services providers to find resources and information on cancellations and closures in one place. It will be updated as new information comes available. Please go to Public Health Madison & Dane County for the most recent information on what is happening in our community.

Nutrition Programs

Woman Infants & Children Program (WIC)
(608) 267-1111
WIC offices are currently closed, however, they are able to take new clients by phone

FoodShare Program (SNAP, “Food Stamps”)
(608) 242-7441
FoodShare Helpline: (877) 366-3635
New participant applications are now being done over the phone. If you or a family member lost your job due to COVID-19, you may qualify.

Aging & Disability Resource Center
(608) 240-7400
Information, meal sites, and home delivery of meals in Dane County for people 60 years of age and older, and for individuals 18-59 years of age with disabilities.

Meals on Wheels
(608) 276-7598
Noon or evening meals delivered to anyone who is homebound every day of the week and every week of the year. No age requirement. Minimal cost and financial assistance available.

Child Nutrition

Madison Metropolitan School District
(608) 663-5240
Bagged lunch and breakfast for the following day provided Monday-Friday.

The River Food Pantry
(608) 661-1223
MUNCH program provides lunch for children Monday-Saturday. Find a distribution site.

East Madison Community Center
(608) 249-0861
Bagged lunches provided Monday-Friday for all children.

Boys and Girls Club of Dane County
4619 Jenewein Rd. (Allied Family Center) and – 2001 Taft St. (Taft St. Site)
Free boxed meals proved Monday-Friday.

USDA “Find Meals for Kids
Find free meals for children during school closures

Food Delivery

First United Methodist Church
(608) 257-4407
Must reside in Dane County. Call to request delivery.

The River Food Pantry
(608) 442-8815
Must reside in Madison and Monona. “Food Bridge” program for low-income adults >60 years.

Middleton Outreach Ministry
(608) 836-7338
Home delivery for registered clients in the Seniors Program.

Food Pantries/Meal Sites

Downtown Madison

Bethel Lutheran Church
312 Wisconsin Ave – (608) 257-3577
By appointment only.

Grace Episcopal Church
312 Wisconsin Ave – (608) 257-3577

Luke House (MEAL SITE)
310 S. Ingersoll St. – (608) 256-6325
Lunch Provided Monday-Thursday and dinner provided Sunday-Thursday.

The Beacon (MEAL SITE)
615 E. Washington Ave – (608) 826-8040
Friday meal(1:00 PM) and Saturday meal (9:00 AM) provided in parking lot.

East Madison

Bashford United Methodist Church*
329 North St. – (608) 249-9222

Bridge Lake Point Waunna Neighborhood Center
1917 Lake Point Dr. – (608) 441-6991

East Madison Community Center
8 Straubel Ct. – (608) 249-0861

Goodman Community Center*
149 Waubesa St. – (608) 249-8049

Personal Essentials Pantry Atwood*
2401 Atwood Ave
Personal and household hygiene products (no food).

Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center (Pantry +MEALSITE)
953 Jenifer St. – (608) 257-4576
Saturday Lunch provided in parking lot.

North Madison

Lakeview Lutheran Church*
4001 Mandrake Rd. – (608) 244-6181

The River Food Pantry*
2201 Darwin Rd. – (608) 442-8815

South Madison

Catholic Mulicultural Center (PANTRY +MEALSITE)
1862 Beld St. – (608) 661-3512
Dinner provided Mon-Fri from 4:00-5:00 PM.
Lunch provided Sat & Sun from 11:00-12:00 PM.

Good Neighbors Personal Essentials
2509 McDivitt Rd. – (608) 832-6388
Personal and household hygiene products (no food).

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church (PANTRY + MEALSITE)
605 Spruce St. – (608) 256-8463
Must reside in Dane County.
Lunch Provided at the door.

St. Vincent de Paul*
2033 Fish Hatchery Rd. – (608) 442-7200
Must reside in Dane County.

Allied Partners
4619 Jenewein Rd.- (608) 233-8506
Must reside in 53711, 53713, or 53719 zip code.

Good Shepard Lutheran Church
5701 Raymond Rd. – (608) 271-6633
Must reside in 53711 or 53719 zip code.

Lussier Community Education Center*
55 S Gammon Rd. – (608) 833-4979

Outside Madison

Belleville Food Pantry
24 W Main St. Belleville – (608) 424-3341
Must reside in Belleville School District

Countryside Communities Center*
11010 Blackahawk Dr., Blue Mounds – (608) 437-8680

Cambridge Community Activities Program*
403 Blue Jay Way, Cambridge – (608) 423-8142
Must reside in Cambridge School District.

McFarland Community Food Pantry*
5404 Anthony St., McFarland – (608) 658-0927
Must reside in McFarland School District.

Mount Horeb Area Food Pantry*
102 E Lincoln St. Unit D, Mt. Horeb – (608) 437-7887
Must reside in Mount Horeb School District.
Income requirements temporarily removed.

Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM)*
3502 Paramenter St., Middleton – (608) 836-7338
Service area boundries expanded to zip codes: 53562, 53528, 53705, 53717, 53719, and 53597.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors (Mobile Pantry)
9542 CO Hwy S, Mt. Horeb – (608) 437-6114

Oregon/Brooklyn Food Pantry*
1902 Union Rd., Oregon – (608) 291-0709
Must reside in Oregon School District.

Sun Prairie Emergency Food Pantry*/Sunshine Place (PANTRY + MEALSITE)
18 Rickel Rd., Sun Prairie – (608) 291-0709
Must reside in Sun Prairie School District.
Meal Provided Monday from 5:00-6:00 PM.

Badger Prairie Needs Network*
1200 E Verona Ave., Verona (608) 848-2499

Dwelling Intervention Grants & Sustenance

Porchlight’s Dwelling Intervention Grants & Sustenance program (DIGS) provides housing-related emergency assistance to individuals and families in Dane County who are facing eviction and therefore at risk of becoming homeless. Additionally, DIGS offers financial support to those who have secured affordable housing but need assistance with first month’s rent and security deposit. DIGS is taking referrals from Coordinated Entry.

Individuals and families seeking eviction/homelessness prevention funds should call the Tenant Resource Center at (608) 257-0006, option 7. Each household will be assessed and placed on a coordinated priority list, then will be contacted by the program for which the household is eligible.

Eviction Prevention /CORE 2.0

Dane CORE 2.0 can pay for many housing costs for eligible households, such as rent, utilities, and internet – but cannot pay for cable, phone bills, capital expenditures, or homeowner mortgage payments. You may also qualify for Security Deposit and Future Rent Payments if you meet extra requirements. For eligibility requirements, and access to the application, visit the Dane County website.

Keep Wisconsin Warm

Primary participants in the kww/cf are those experiencing a significant energy burden where other available resources are inadequate. Participants whose gross income is within the Wisconsin home energy assistance program (wheap) gross income guidelines may qualify for supplemental support from the fund. You can apply online or you can call 1-800-891-9276.

Porchlight - Safe Haven

Safe Haven is a day shelter for adults with mental illness on Madison’s east side. Shelter guests have access to two meals per day, showers, laundry, bus tickets, mail, and phone services. Safe Haven also provides housing-focused case management and crisis stabilization services funded through Medicaid. The staff specializes in building rapport with vulnerable individuals who may not otherwise engage in mainstream services.

Inclement “weather nights” may go into effect when temperatures are forecasted to drop to 20 degrees or lower, or in other cases of severe weather, such as extreme heat. On weather nights, guests may access shelter even if they are suspended from services, unless they have been notified otherwise.
Weather nights will be posted on the Homeless Services Consortium of Dane County website.

DAIS

If you or someone you know may be in a violent or controlling relationship, or if you have questions about getting help, call DAIS’s 24-Hour Help Line at (608) 251-4445, or (800) 747-4045.

Scheduled appointments should report to the 24/7 security entrance. DAIS will not be able to provide any walk-in services for the foreseeable future. Those needing services should contact their 24-hour Help Line at (608) 251-4445. Please note that call volumes may be higher during this time.

The Salvation Army Women’s Shelter

The Salvation Army of Dane County offers our community’s only shelter for individuals identifying as women experiencing homelessness. Due to COVID-19, The Salvation Army of Dane County now operates shelter 24/7 for single women at 630 East Washington. Guests are provided 3 meals/day and have access to shower/laundry facilities.

Shelter Check in is from 4:15-5:00 pm.Health screening of guests is conducted during check in and is a prerequisite for use of the shelter. All guests must be in the building by 9:00 PM unless arrangements have been made ahead of time. If a woman is working, going to school or has a mandatory meeting at the time of sign-in, she may call to reserve a bed at 608-250-2200, but must call by 4:00 pm that day. She will need to show proof of employment, school or mandatory meeting, and complete a full COVID-19 screen with staff before entrance into shelter.

On nights of extreme weather conditions or cold (i.e. 20 degrees or colder), all single women in need are welcome to use shelter despite usual capacity or shelter night limits. Space may be crowded, but we will not deny shelter to any woman in need. Behavioral issues and rule violations may result in suspension of shelter access even on these nights.

The Salvation Army Emergency Family Shelter

The Salvation Army of Dane County offers a family shelter for up to 35 families experiencing homelessness. Family shelter operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no time limit on length of stay. Guests are provided 3 meals/day, and have access to shower/laundry facilities.

Families in need of shelter should call the family shelter intake line at (608) 250-2298 leaving name, family size, and contact information. Families who call in for shelter using the intake line are contacted by the Diversion Specialist within 24 hours to help families assess alternative options to shelter. If no alternatives are identified, the family is added to the family shelter waitlist. Families are asked to call-in once a week to remain active on the waitlist. Families can expect to receive a call back once a week to confirm they are still on the waitlist.

Briarpatch

Due to COVID-19, Briarpatch has implemented the following protocols:

All youth and family members receiving services at Briarpatch are asked to wear a face mask. Persons who choose not to wear a face mask will be asked to leave the Briarpatch building.
Youth and family members receiving services at the Briarpatch building will be asked to have their temperature taken with a no touch thermometer. Persons with a fever, or persons who choose not to have their temperature taken, will be asked to leave the Briarpatch building.
Youth and family members are asked to bring their own face mask when coming to Briarpatch for services.
The Briarpatch Youth Shelter is open with social distancing protocols in place.

Please call 608.245.2550 or 608.251.1126 with any questions.

Dane County Job Center

We’re continuing to support customers remotely in an effort to maintain social distancing. We’re still available to help with career coaching, resource referrals and services information and to help you transition to where you need to be post-coronavirus.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, contact a WorkSmart Network staff nearest you.

Catholic Multicultural Center

Employment Search Assistance

Tuesday 10:00 to 1:00pm
Thursdays 1:00 to 3:00pm

CMC staff are offering help with finding and applying for available jobs, assistance applying for unemployment benefits, other employment related matters, and general community resource navigation. Assistance is available by phone or by calling Lilliam to make an appointment to meet in person.

Immigration Legal Services

Staff continue to serve all clients, both current and new clients, by appointment only. Appointments are available for a virtual or in-person meeting. For more information or to make an appointment call 608-441-0114.

Daily Free Meal

Weekdays 4:00 to 5:00pm
Weekends 11:30am to 12:00pm

The meal is distributed to-go from the CMC parking lot.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Classes

CMC is offering online tutoring for beginner to advanced levels. In person classes for beginner to advanced levels take place Monday/Wednesday from 11:00am-12:30pm or Tuesday/Thursday from 10:00-11:30am. Please note, since the building is locked students must arrive right at class start time to be let into the building. For more information or to register, call the ESL coordinator at (608) 441-0117. Students may also register online for virtual and in person classes.

Food Pantry

Tuesday 2:00 to 3:30pm
Thursdays 10:30am to 12:00pm

Food pantry sign-up and distribution will happen in the CMC parking lot. Each guest may visit up to once a week. You will be asked to provide your name, birth date, how many people live in your household, and your full address including zip code. Personal essentials items will be distributed Tuesdays during food pantry time. Each household may receive a set of personal essentials items once a month.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Weekdays 2:00pm to 5:00pm

The CMC Bilingual Vaccine Resource Navigator is available to help anyone in need of a COVID-19 vaccine or booster find out where to make an appointment, find accurate information about the vaccine in their first language, or help family members or other loved ones receive their vaccine. The Navigator can refer people to community vaccination clinics in their neighborhood, at CMC, or for appointments at a clinic or pharmacy.

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Dane County

The lobby of the ADRC is now open for members of the public looking for information or applying for publicly-funded long-term care services. Information and applications continue to be taken over the phone at 608-240-7400 or Toll-Free at 855-417-6892 or by email to: ADRC@countyofdane.com.

Visitors to the ADRC are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face covering. A mask will be provided if needed. Visitors can expect to speak with a staff member by phone from a private room. As we maintain social distancing practices, visitors may be asked to wait outside the ADRC or in their vehicle until it is their turn to enter.

211 - United Way

Whether you need financial assistance, food resources, housing search, addiction treatment, health care, mental health, or heating and utilities assistance, our specialists will talk to you to find out what you need and walk you through all the options to find the right service or program to fit your needs. Just dial 211 to connect.

The Beacon is a day shelter for those experiencing homelessness, and a hub for services. At this time, because of Covid-19 cases, many of The Beacon’s partner agencies are not available in person, but can be accessed remotely. To get an accurate account of what resources are available there, call them at 608-826-8040.

Covid-19 Testing and Vaccines

COVID-19 Vaccination and Boosters

Who’s Eligible?

For more information on eligibility and for any questions you may have please visit the Dane County Public Health website.

Where can I get vaccinated or boosted?

There are several options some of which include:

Area pharmacies Community pharmacies and those participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program might have vaccine availability. Check with your local pharmacy such as Pick-n-Save or Walgreens
Your healthcare provider Visit your provider’s website for more instructions. Keep in mind that there is a limited supply, so it may take time to get an appointment.
The Alliant Energy Center Vaccine appointments for people 5+ are available at the Arena at Alliant Energy Center, which is now run by AMI Expeditionary Healthcare. Appointments are encouraged.

Free COVID-19 Testing

Many free covid testing cities have opened in Dane county, not all are listed here. For a more complete list visit the DHS website.

Located at 1900 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713. Public Health Madison & Dane County is supporting the Wisconsin Department of Health Services-contracted private testing provider. Appointment preferred. For more information visit the Dane County Public Health site.
Making An Appointment and Registering
There are three steps to getting your test:

STEP 1. MAKE A TESTING APPOINTMENT AT THE ARENA

STEP 2. REGISTER ONLINE

Registration should happen no more than 72 hours before your appointment – this has to happen close to your appointment time so that we have current information about signs and symptoms you may be experiencing.

Step 3. Arrive at our testing location in time for your test appointment.
When:
Monday – Friday: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Check online to see if it is open on Saturday and Sunday

Located at 2230 S. Park Street, Madison, WI 53713. South Madison Community Test Site will test anyone, regardless of citizen status, 1 year of age and older, though minors must be accompanied by an adult. By appointment only. For more information visit the Dane County Public Health site.
Making An Appointment and Registering
There are three steps to getting your test:

STEP 1. MAKE A TESTING APPOINTMENT AT 2230 S. PARK STREET

STEP 2. REGISTER ONLINE

Step 3. Arrive at our testing location in time for your test appointment.
When:
Tuesday – Saturday*: 8:00am to 4:00pm

*If going on Wednesday, check the hours, they may change.

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order #4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
How:
To place your order, visit this site and fill out the form.

No-cost COVID-19 testing is available to patients ages 3+. Patients will not receive a bill from Walgreens or any lab partner. If you receive a Diagnostic Test and have insurance, you will be asked to show your insurance card at the appointment and the lab may bill your insurer. Click here to find a Walgreens near you.
How the COVID-19 testing process works

Complete a quick questionnaire.
Choose a location and time for your COVID-19 test (based on the type of test you want).
Go to the testing location and remain in your vehicle with the window rolled up.
Show your confirmation email, a valid state ID or driver’s license, and insurance card or voucher.
Perform the nasal swab yourself under the direction of a pharmacy team member. Patients ages 3-18 will need a parent or legal guardian while they self-administer the COVID-19 test.
Get results from PWNHealth.†

Availability in some states is limited due to extreme demand. Check daily for available times
Who qualifies?
For rapid-result testing (results within hours), patients must be 5 years of age or older. For lab testing (results within days), patients must be 10 years of age or older. Minors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
How it works

Visit here, and answer a few questions to see if you qualify for COVID-19 testing.
Select a test site and available time. Fill out the registration form.
Insurance card and proof of identity are required, as well as test confirmation email or text message. Be sure to have your mobile phone in case we need to reach you.
Upon arrival, follow instructions posted at the site. For rapid result tests, an onsite MinuteClinic provider will call with next steps, and patients may be asked to come into the clinic depending on their results. For lab tests, your sample is sent to one of our lab partners. Average turnaround time for receiving results from lab tests is 1-2 days.
We’ll text you a secure link to view and download your results for 5 days. We’ll also send you emails to activate a MyChart account, which will give you permanent access to your results.

Hy-Vee is offering COVID-19 testing at select Hy-Vee pharmacy locations. All patients must register ahead of time in order to receive a test voucher and select a testing site and appointment time.
How it Works
Find a location and schedule your appointment here. The test type will depend on the testing location.