Employment and business

COVID-19 is triggering thousands of job losses while creating demand in other areas.

Fred Meyer, Safeway-Albertsons and Amazon are all struggling to keep up with customer demand.

For job opportunities in Oregon, go to oregon.gov/jobs.

For job opportunities with Amazon, go to amazon.jobs.

If you need unemployment benefits, you find information on how to do that at oregon.gov.

Unemployment insurance is available for most workers who lose their jobs. If you’re temporarily laid off, you may still qualify.

If you need help paying bills or groceries, Deschutes County has a comprehensive list on its website for who to contact.

Small businesses economically impacted by COVID-19 may qualify for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Association. See disasterloan.sba.gov/ela for details and to apply.

Coronavirus resources for businesses can be found at oregon4biz.com/Coronavirus-Information/

Central Oregon Community College’s Small Business Development Center is offering free virtual assistance as companies navigate the COVID-19 economic landscape. Call 541-383-7290 or email sbdc@cocc.edu for an appointment.

Community assistance

Pandemic Partners-Bend on Facebook is a community group for those who need help running errands, picking up groceries, setting up technology and more can connect to others in the area who can assist. Posts are private to only those who have been added to the group, but anyone can join. Contact: j.mp/PandemicPartners.

Pandemic Partners — Prineville on Facebook is a public community group for those in need in the Prineville area for those who need help. Contact: facebook.com/groups/PandemicPartnersCrookCounty

Pandemic Partners — Redmond on Facebook is a community group for those in need in the Redmond area. Posts are visible to those not in the group, but you must be added in order to post or comment. Contact: facebook.com/groups/PandemicPartnersRedmond

Pandemic Partners — Sisters on Facebook is a public community group for those in the Sisters area to connect and get help or help neighbors with errands and other basic tasks. Contact: j.mp/PandemicPartnersSisters

Pandemic Partners — South Deschutes County is a public Facebook group focused on those living in the Sunriver, Three Rivers and La Pine areas to connect and help with basic errands and other requests. Contact: facebook.com/groups/PandemicPartnersSouthDeschutesCounty

Central Oregon Emergency Information Network will collect Personal Protective Equipment to donate to health provider. Accepted equipment includes N95 masks, NIOSH-approved respirators, surgical masks including pediatric earloop masks, isolation gowns, nitrile exam gloves, hand sanitizer (cannot have glitter), rubbing alcohol, pure aloe vera gel, lactated ringers and medical face shields. Donations will be accepted through Friday in Bend from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Bend High School and Ensworth Elementary School, in La Pine from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at La Pine High School, in Prineville from noon to 1 p.m. at the Crooked River Elementary, Pioneer South, in Redmond from 10 a.m.-noon at Redmond Fire and Rescue.

For a list of local food pantries in Central Oregon, visit: www.neighborimpact.org/providers/?_sft_services=food.

Central Oregon hotlines

Crisis and loneliness hotlines for those who are experiencing mental health crisis, or their families:

Crook County: 541-323-5530 (press ‘2’ after 5 p.m. to reach the crisis team).

Deschutes County Crisis Line: 541-322-7500, opt. 9 or 800-273-8255.

Jefferson County: 541-475-6575.

Senior Loneliness Line: For individuals throughout Central Oregon age 55 or older who might be feeling isolated or just want to have a friendly conversation, contact: 503-200-1633

YouthLine: People age 21 or younger seeking support for any problem, call the YouthLine at 877-968-8491 or text “teen2teen” to 839863.

Central Oregon’s free COVID-19 nonemergency hotline expanded its hours and is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday. Call to connect with a caregiver or county health professional. Contact: 541-699-5109.

If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, sexual assault, or sexual violence, contact the Saving Grace domestic violence hotline at 541-389-7021.

Seniors

Council on Aging of Central Oregon and Meals on Wheels is seeking volunteers for a variety of positions. Contact: councilonaging.org or 541-678-5483.

Northwest Housing Alternatives is seeking a yoga instructor to provide a free weekly yoga class to seniors at the Quimby Street Apartments in Bend. Contact: Meghaen Anderson, 503-654-1007 ext. 109 or anderson@nwhousing.org.

Oregon Long-term Care Ombudsman Program seeks volunteers to advocate for elderly and disabled residents whose home is in nursing and care facilities, to ensure their rights and quality of care. Call 800-522-2602 or oltco.org.

Redmond Senior Center is seeking volunteer Meals on Wheels drivers to deliver meals to seniors in their own homes. Adopt a route as an individual or group. Training provided. Contact: Redmond Senior Center, 541-548-6325.

Children, youth and Education Services

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) needs volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in the court system. One child, one voice…you can be that voice. Contact: casaofcentraloregon.org or 541-389-1618 ext. 1.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office — Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth needs adult volunteers to mentor children of incarcerated parents. Training class provided. Contact: deschutes.org/copy, COPY@deschutes.org or 541-388-6651.

Meadowlark Independent Living Program, a residential treatment facility for teenage girls in Bend, is seeking adult volunteers to interact with the girls and assist with projects. Contact: Teal Buehler, 541-617-9576.

Mountainstar Family Relief Nursery, a local nonprofit serving vulnerable children and families to prevent child abuse and neglect, is seeking volunteers in Madras, Prineville and Bend. Various volunteer opportunities available including therapeutic classroom, special projects and more. Contact: volunteer@mtstar.org or 541-322-6820.

Redmond High School needs volunteer tutors for math and English. Contact: 541-923-4807.

Volunteer Central Oregon connects volunteers of all ages with hundreds of volunteer opportunities throughout Central Oregon, with an emphasis on volunteering for and by children and youth. Contact: VolunteerCentralOregon.org or call Better Together at 541-693-5678.

Animals and environment

Bend Spay & Neuter Project helps animals in your community. Volunteer opportunities include trapping feral cats, helping at the clinic and fundraising. Contact: 541-617-1010 or hsco.org.

BrightSide Animal Center in Redmond is looking for help at their thrift store, and at the shelter training dogs, socializing cats, fostering kittens and puppies, helping with events and more. Contact: 541-923-0882 or volunteer@brightsideanimals.org.

Bureau of Land Management volunteer opportunities are available in recreation, range, wildlife, cultural and other areas. Get involved, take part in caring for your public lands! Contact: 541-416-6700.

Humane Society of Central Oregon has a variety of volunteer opportunities. These opportunities vary seasonally so please visit the website, hsco.org/volunteer for a complete list of volunteer needs. Contact: Billie Ameika, billie@hsco.org or 541-382-3537.

Humane Society of the Ochocos needs volunteers to walk dogs and promote adoptions. Contact: HSOVolunteerCoordinator@gmail.com or 541-447-7178.

Native Bird Care of Sisters needs volunteers to help rescue wild birds. This is a small, established avian rehabilitation facility needing help transporting birds, cleaning and disinfecting enclosures, flight cage maintenance and more. Contact: Elise at 541-728-8208 or nativebirdcare.org.

Ochoco National Forest needs volunteers for wilderness, visitor center and campground hosts, recreation, archaeology and other projects. Contact: fs.usda.gov or Paul Smith paulsmith@fs.fed.us or 541-416-6431.

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Human services

Abilitree needs volunteers for various programs, including mailroom operations, computer training and life skills instruction to support adults with developmental disabilities. Weekdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact: volunteer@abilitree.org, 541-388-8103 or abilitree.org.

Amnesty International needs volunteers to write letters on behalf of victims of human-rights violations. Contact: Philip Randall, 541-388-1793.

Bend Food Project, an ongoing food donation drive supplying local food pantries with a year-round supply of food, needs neighborhood coordinators who will help organize a small group of their neighbors to be food donors and then collect and transport the donated food to a drop-off point every two months. Contact: bendfoodproject.com.

Bethlehem Inn, a shelter serving men, women and families, needs help with meals and other projects. Contact: bethleheminn.org or 541-389-2820.

Center for Compassionate Living offers workshops, classes and practice groups on compassionate communication. Creative volunteer projects include marketing, event planning and office help. Contact: compassionatecenter.org or Beth Hansen, 541-923-6677.

Family Kitchen needs volunteers to provide hot meals to the homeless and those in need. Contact: 541-760-5677 or familykitchen.org.

Family Resource Center needs volunteers for office support, library support, telephone information and referral for parent and family services. Training is provided. Contact: 541-389-5468.

The Giving Plate, a nonprofit food pantry, is seeking volunteers for a wide variety of opportunities for both individuals and groups. Contact Ranae Staley, thegivingplateinc@gmail.com, 541-797-6883 or thegivingplate.org.

Human Dignity Coalition needs volunteers to work on social justice issues including equal rights for people with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, and racial and immigrant rights. Contact: 541-385-3320.

Hunger Prevention Coalition is seeking board members who are interested and have experience in areas of community development, advertising, design, PR and accounting. Contact: info@hungerpc.org, 541-408-1978 or hungerpc.org.

La Pine Community Kitchen is looking for volunteers to help with preparing and serving hot lunches Monday through Friday. Hours and days are flexible. A food service card is helpful but not necessary. Contact: 541-536-1312 lapinecommunitykitchen.org.

NeighborImpact invites volunteers to help the disadvantaged in their community through food collection, Head Start and special events. Contact: 541-548-2380 or neighborimpact.org.

Saving Grace needs volunteers for general office assistance and to work with survivors of domestic violence and rape. Training provided. Contact: 541-382-9227 or saving-grace.org.

SCORE is seeking mentors to help small businesses start, grow and succeed with “been there … done that” experience. Put your knowledge to work! Contact: 541-316-0662 or centraloregon.score.org.

Soroptimist International of Bend, an organization that grants local educational awards and assists with volunteer time and financial contributions to help meet the needs of Bethlehem Inn, Grandma’s House, Nancy’s House, Saving Grace, Deschutes Department of Human Services and more, is in need of volunteers. Contact: sibend.org, president@sibend.org or 503-519-5051.

St. Vincent De Paul Social Services needs volunteers to do interviews, work as receptionist and fill food boxes. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact: 541-389-6643.

Miscellany

Central Oregon Locavore, a nonprofit organization supporting local food and farmers for the health of the community and environment, needs volunteers in the marketplace and to manage educational and outreach programs. Contact: Nicolle Timm info@centraloregonlocavore.org.

Email news_tips@bendbulletin.com to let us know about other resources not listed here.