As COVID-19 infections continue to rise in Florida, including in Osceola County, county leadership has been focused on ensuring that residents have continued access to assistance that they need, ahead of what the federal government will be providing to individuals and businesses in the near future.  Specifically, in order to address the current shortage of resources at local food pantries, the county will be providing “gap funding” to key local non-profit organizations beginning the week of April 6, so they can continue to provide food to those in the community who are in need due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Residents in need of assistance are encouraged to contact the organizations directly to determine availability and distribution times. Hours of operation will vary with each organization and resources will be limited, so we encourage those in need to act calmly but please do n0t hesitate.

Among the pantries receiving emergency funding are:

· Anointed Victorious Outreach, 1901 S. Poinciana Blvd., Kissimmee 34758, 954-393-9768
· Church of Agape Love, 1548 Tallahassee Blvd., Intercession City 33848, 863-651-6878/407-319-7876
· Community Hope Center, 2198 Four Winds Blvd., Kissimmee 34746, 407-910-2216
· One United Mission, 1751 Ball Park Road, Kissimmee 34741, 407-766-4749
· Iglesia Cristiana Renuevo, 290 Competition Drive, Kissimmee 34743, 407-870-0083
· Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal M.I., 2519 Fortune Road, Kissimmee 34744, 407-922-1671
· Living Water Fellowship, 4101 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee 34746, 407-922-7725
· St. Rose of Lima, 3870 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee 34746, 407-932-5004
· Advanced Senior Center, 2260 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee 34744, 407-350-3311
· Church and Community Assistance Program, 10 S. Orlando Ave., Kissimmee 34741, 407-750-6017
· Life Changing Global Ministries, 2727 N. John Young Parkway Suite G, Kissimmee 34741, 407-339-1959
· Osceola Council on Aging, 700 Generation Point, Kissimmee 34744, 407-847-2144
· Salvation Army, 700 Union Street, Kissimmee, 34741, 407-944-9968
· St. John Episcopal Church-Trinity House, 1709 N. John Young Parkway, Kissimmee 34741, 267-650-0622
· Summit Bible Church, 1901 S. John Young Parkway, Kissimmee 34741, 407-483-1688
· St. Cloud Community Pantry, 901 Missouri Ave., St. Cloud 34769, 407-892-7070

Additional organizations may be added, and residents may visit www.osceola.org/COVID19 or here at PositivelyOsceola.com for an updated list of food pantries and other resources available.

FORECLOSURE PREVENTION AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE:
Beginning on Monday, April 6, qualified homeowners and renters who have lost their jobs or had an impact to their income due to COVID-19 may apply for foreclosure prevention or rental assistance, respectively, to assist for up to two months.

The county will accept applications for “Emergency COVID19 Housing Assistance” at Housing.Osceola.org. In order to determine if applicants qualify, they will need to provide proof of job loss, current lease, social security card, birth certificate and other documentation that will be listed on the website. Applicants will be addressed on a first-come, first-ready basis.

FORECLOSURE/EVICTION RELIEF:
Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order #20-94 on April 2, preventing foreclosure and eviction actions for non-payment for 45 days. Please note, this Order does NOT forgive or waive payments due during this time. All monies owed for mortgage or rent payments are still owed according to contracts.

‘STAY AT HOME’ LOCAL ORDERS AND STATE ORDERS
Governor DeSantis issued Executive Orders #20-91 and #20-92 on April 1, reflecting a statewide “Safer at Home” declaration. Under these Orders, residents are asked to limit movement within the state, asking residents to only leave the home to obtain or provide essentials services or conduct essential activities.

Osceola County’s current Emergency Orders are still in effect. Order #1 established a curfew for residents from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. Order #3 is the current “Stay at Home” mandate which orders residents to stay at home as much as possible, orders non-essential businesses to close but allows residents to continue to do essential tasks. For details, go to https://www.osceola.org/core/fileparse.php/7578/urlt/032720_Executive-Order-3-Stay-at-Home.pdf.

Additionally, businesses can now seek further guidance from the state to determine if they are essential by filling out this form: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/c3348d7bc8d041fdb6a19b68ee7960fa

We ask everyone to continue to abide by the stay at home order, and to consistently practice personal hygiene as suggested by the CDC. If we work together and are mindful of social distancing, COVID-19 will be in our rear view mirror, where it should be. Positively Osceola would like to thank each and every local organization who has once again selflessly committed to caring for our community, and we thank Osceola County for making this decision so quickly sop those in need can be helped, and find solace during this challenging time.