Community Resources and Information
While our physical location is closed, library staff continues to work to provide access to resources and information. The library remains an online source of updated and reliable community information during the coronavirus crisis.
Last updated: May 9, 2020
Coronavirus resources and information
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Center for Disease Control (CDC) understanding symptoms and how to protect yourself. CDC hotline: 800-232-4636 (operating 24/7)
“What you need to know” fact sheets (CDC)
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Florida Department of Health COVID-19 information and data portal
Florida Department of Health COVID-19 call center 1-866-779-6121 (operating 24/7) and email address COVID-19@flhealth.gov
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Florida COVID-19 cases and data from the Florida Department of Health
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Orange County COVID-19 Up-to-date information and the testing sites in Orange County
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Veterans Affairs COVID-19 response plan, version 1.6, March 23, 2020
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Orlando VA COVID-19 current procedures related to the pandemic.
VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) Veterans who are concerned they may have symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), flu or cold are encouraged to contact the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center at 1-877-741-3400 (toll free).
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City of Winter Park current information for residents and businesses
Subscribe to Winter Park’s citEnews for the latest local updates via email. Additionally, follow the City of Winter Park on Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor.
Health Insurance and Other Medical Assistance
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Affordable Care Act Marketplace Special Enrollment Period from Covering Central Florida. This is an option for anyone losing employer-based health insurance. Enrollment must be completed within 60 days of a loss of coverage.
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Florida Department of Health COVID-19 information and data portal
Florida Department of Health COVID-19 call center 1-866-779-6121 (operating 24/7) and email address COVID-19@flhealth.gov
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Healthcare Marketplace Navigator Covering Central Florida offers free help to compare plans, learn about financial assistance and sign-up for the Health Insurance Marketplace.
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Orlando VA COVID-19 current procedures related to the pandemic.
VA Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8) Veterans who are concerned they may have symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), flu or cold are encouraged to contact the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center at 1-877-741-3400 (toll free).
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Primary Care Access Network (PCN) Uninsured residents of Orange County.
Forest City location of Community Health Center (407) 905 -8827
Grace Medical in Orlando (407) 936-2785
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LGBTQ Support from The Center in Orlando (407) 228-8272 or email info@TheCenterOrlando.org
Food and Housing Assistance
Food
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ACCESS Florida (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid) Florida Department of Children and Families. Program provides a website to apply for ACCESS benefits (SNAP benefits-food stamp assistance, Medicaid, and TANF benefits-temporary cash assistance) online or over-the-phone.
Help line: 850-300-4323
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OCPS Grab and Go meals for Orange County Public school students. A map of distribution sites is here.
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Free meals for Winter Park residents at the Winter Park Community Center 721 W. New England Ave. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 3 to 5 p.m. 407-599-3399 Feed the Need
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Meals on Wheels from Seniors First. For homebound individuals ages 60+. Seniors can purchase meals or apply for the free meal program wait list for Orange County. Please call 407.615.8987 to learn more or to complete an application.
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Meals of Love Central Florida seniors and adults with disabilities interested in receiving free food from local restaurants can sign up by calling: Hotline: (321) 360-6315 Español: (321) 253-4430 ext. 104 or Text/SMS: Text “Mealsoflove” to 94253
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Food Bank Locator Second Harvest Food Bank partner food pantries. Search by location.
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Heart of Florida United Way referrals for health, financial and crisis needs
Call: 2-1-1
Email: uw211help@gmail.com
Chat online with a United Way representative
Text your zip code to 898-211
Heart of Florida United Way Families can find free meals for kids under 18 by texting FLKIDSMEALS to 211–211, or call 2–1–1 and speak with a live operator 24/7.
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Jewish Family Services of Orlando Food pantry, telehealth counseling, rides to medical appointments for the elderly or disabled
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United Against Poverty Emergency food assistance, Success Training Employment Program (STEP)
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Winter Park Neighborhood Center for Families (4C) Food Pantry, employment and food stamp assistance. Use this number during office closure due to COVID-19 407-522-2252 Ext 2900
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Local nonprofits offering assistance A spreadsheet of local organizations that offer help.
Housing and Financial Assistance
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Federal Housing Finance Agency provides options for postponing mortgage payments for those affected by the coronavirus.
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CONNECT apply online for unemployment benefits from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDOE). Florida’s Reemployment Assistance Program. Call 800-204-2418
Printable paper mail-in application **now available**
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United Way Recovery Fund In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, Heart of Florida United Way has established a fund to support residents whose financial stability is being impacted. Go to the website to fill out the survey.
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Economic Impact Payment the IRS is facilitating this federal stimulus package including the one-time payment to most Americans.
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Federal Tax Deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020.
AARP Tax Aide service has been suspended. Check the website for updates.
My Free Taxes, a partnership with United Way and H&R Block, offers free online filing.
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Orange County Rental Assistance *Note: The Covid-19 Rental Assistance program is not accepting any new requests for assistance. We are working to process all the requests for assistance for residents who submitted their contact information online prior to 5:00pm on April 1, 2020. (407) 836-6500
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Salvation Army Emergency Financial Assistance. They accept calls for appointments Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 407-423-8581 x26491
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Coalition for the Homeless Offers drop in and shelter services 18 North Terry Avenue Orlando, FL 32801 407-872-5790
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Homeless Veterans Help the VA provides a list of resources by state
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Zebra Coalition assisting LGBTQ+ youth find housing and services
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Local nonprofits offering assistance a spreadsheet of local organizations that offer help.
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Utility Billing from the City of Winter Park disconnection for nonpayment is currently suspended. Call (407) 599-3220
Legal Support
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Legal Aid Society of Orange County Bar Association call 407-841-8310 (8:30am-5pm M-F)
Mental Health
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Heart of Florida United Way referrals for health, financial and crisis needs Call: 2-1-1
Email: uw211help@gmail.com
Chat online with a United Way representative
Text your zip code to 898-211
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Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19 CDC. Resources for reducing stress, improving mental health and helping children and families cope during traumatic events.
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National Association of Mental Illness COVID-19 Resource Guide Local branch can be contacted here or call 407–253–1900
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Coronavirus Sanity Guide from Ten Percent Happier provides meditations, podcasts and blog posts regarding ways of coping with stress and anxiety
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Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 to chat with a crisis counselor for free (operating 24/7)
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call or text to (800) 273-8255. Services for Spanish speakers and deaf and hard of hearing individuals as well.
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Aspire Health Partners a not for profit provider of mental health services in Central Florida. Covid-19 crisis line (407) 875-3700 ext. 2 (operating 24/7)
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Jewish Family Services of Orlando Food pantry, telehealth counseling, rides to medical appointments for the elderly or disabled
Child Support
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Remote Child Support Services during the COVID-19 crisis from the Florida Department of Revenue
Taxes (personal)
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Federal Tax Deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020.
AARP Tax Aide service has been suspended. Check the website for updates.
My Free Taxes, a partnership with United Way and H&R Block, offers free online filing.
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Orange County Property Tax The deadline for filing Tangible Personal Property (TPP) tax returns has been extended 45 days to May 15, 2020. For more information email tppinfo@ocpafl.org or call 407-836-5044.
Victim of Violence
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Harbor House of Central Florida Crisis line 407-886-2856 (operating 24/7) Provides emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, as well as counseling, legal advocacy and other services. Pets accepted. Email: contactus@harborhousefl.com
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Victim Service Center Crisis line (407) 500-4325 (24/7) or text (407) 497-6701 (8am-5pm) Provides crisis intervention for victims of rape, sexual assault and violent crime.
Immigration
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Hope Community Center While their offices are closed, individuals may call (407) 880-4673 and press 1.
Resource list in English and Spanish
Seniors
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AARP coronavirus information for older adults.
People with Disabilities
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Center for Independent Living Winter Park Home modifications, training for transitions to employment and connections to resources. During the COVID-19 crisis call (407) 623-1070 or request services through the website www.cilorlando.org.
Employment and Unemployment Benefits
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CONNECT apply online for unemployment benefits from Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDOE). Florida’s Reemployment Assistance Program. Call 800-204-2418.
From the May 5 Orlando Sentinel: "Last week, DEO released additional guidance for Floridians marked ineligible for state benefits and wondering what to do next.
Those who applied before April 4 — self-employed workers, gig workers, contractors or others — are to apply again at Floridajobs.org, select “file a claim” and request the PUA application.
If a person applied on or after April 5 and was found ineligible, he or she should wait for additional information from DEO, either through the mail, email or their “inbox” in the CONNECT system. These workers should also see an option on the lefthand side navigation menu on CONNECT to apply for the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which offers $275 a week maximum for up to 39 weeks, plus another $600 a week from March 29 through July 31."
Reemployment Assistance Resource Guide (updated May 9, 2020)
Printable paper mail-in application **now available**
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Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) available for those ineligible for the Florida unemployment benefits. First, fill out the questions at floridajobs.org and click on "file a claim." Call 833-352-7759 for more assistance.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Guide
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Career Source of Central Florida provides help for career seekers to update resumes or LinkedIn profiles, learn virtual interviewing skills, provide an individualized career plan to help secure employment, and more. 1-800-757-4598 for virtual assistance.
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Heart of Florida United Way referrals for health, financial and crisis needs
Call: 2-1-1
Email: uw211help@gmail.com
Chat online with a United Way representative
Text your zip code to 898-211
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Goodwill COVID-19 Call (407) 235-1541 or email jobconnection@goodwillcfl.org to receive services, no in-person assistance at this time. Free online learning courses here.
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United Against Poverty Emergency food assistance, Success Training Employment Program (STEP)
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Winter Park Neighborhood Center for Families (4C) Food Pantry, employment and food stamp assistance. Use this number during office closure due to COVID-19 407-522-2252 Ext 2900
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Local nonprofits offering assistance a spreadsheet of local organizations that offer help.
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Who’s hiring in Central Florida during the COVID-19 outbreak? Updated regularly by the Orlando Sentinel
Education
Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) Digital Learning
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Coronavirus Internet Offer For Students: Spectrum is offering 60 days of free internet for students K-12. Call: 1-844-488-8395 -- Installation fees will be waived
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Comcast: "Internet Essentials" Free package available for low-income customers for 60 days. Apply online.
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Distance Learning with OCPS updated information from the school district and Contingency Plan logistics and guidance for OCPS’ emergency school closures
Student Resources OCPS support for students and distance learning
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Best Practices for Distance Learning Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) directed at educators.
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Digital Learning Resources Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) free resources for families and teachers
Colleges and Universities
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Florida colleges and universities (FLDOE master list of public colleges’ responses to COVID-19
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Florida Bright Futures financial aid for Florida students
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Rollins College COVID-19 response
Home Activities for Children
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Brightly Storytime Full-length picture books read out loud from Penguin Random House
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Goodnight with Dolly Weekly bedtime story read-alouds by Dolly Parton and the Imagination Library
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KidLit TV Read-louds, author interviews, drawing demonstrations and more
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Mo Willems’ Lunch Doodles Mini doodling workshops and studio tours with children’s author and illustrator Mo Willems
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Orlando Science Center Our local science center’s videos and activities to keep young scientists engaged at home
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PBS Learning Media Videos, interactive activities, and lessons for education at home
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Read, Wonder, and Learn Author, librarian, and teacher Kate Messner’s guide to free online learning resources, read-alouds, and illustrators’ drawing demos
- Scholastic Learn at Home is offering resources for remote learning for grades K-12, including videos, articles, fiction and nonfiction ebooks and activities
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Teaching Guides Activity sheets and discussion questions for children’s books provided by publishers
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TumbleBooks Library Currently offering free ebooks and audiobooks for young readers
Affordable Computers and Internet
- EveryoneOn.org Find low-cost internet and affordable computers in your area.
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National Digital Inclusion Alliance low cost internet plans
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PCs for People Recycles business electronics and provides refurbished tech to low-income households
Business
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Winter Park Small Business Utility Assistance a utility bill assistance program that will credit the equivalent of one month’s water, sewer and electric bill up to $2,500 on the utility bill for COVID-19 affected Winter Park businesses
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Florida’s Small Business Bridge Loan Program managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from coronavirus. DEO will administer the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in partnership with the Florida SBDC Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation to provide cash flow to businesses economically impacted by COVID-19. The application period is open through May 8. For additional questions regarding loan programs, please call 833-832-4494 or email FloridaBusinessLoanFund@deo.myflorida.com or contact the Florida Small Business Development Center Network at 866-737-7232 or email Disaster@FloridaSBDC.org
FLDEO Rebuilding Florida Businesses
Florida Disaster Loan fact sheet
Business Disaster Recovery Assistance
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SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of the CARES Act. For help applying, call 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov .
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Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Information from the Florida Small Business Development Center regarding eligibility and where to apply. Must apply through a certified SBA 7(a) lender. Due date: June 30.
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Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Factsheet and Checklist from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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Unemployment Insurance information for Florida employers from FDEO
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Orlando Economic Partnership Covid-19 Assistance Center Resources for Orlando area employers.
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Licenses through the Florida Department of Business and Professional regulation, for applicants and license holders customer service continues via phone 850-487-1395 and online here.
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Florida Taxes Taxpayers adversely affected by COVID-19 are encouraged to send questions to COVID19TAXHELP@floridarevenue.com or call (850) 488–6800.
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OSHA and COVID-19 U.S. Department of Labor provides information regarding OSHA standards and coronavirus impacts on employees
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Fair Labor Standards Act Understand the effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act
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Microloans for small businesses through Opportunity Fund. Apply online or call 888-720-3215
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National Council of Nonprofits COVID-19 information that impacts non-profit businesses
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Florida Nonprofit Alliance legislative news, resources and funds for the non-profit sector
- Edyth Bush Institute Helpful resources for Winter Park and area nonprofits specific to the coronavirus crisis. Virtual offices are open, call (407) 975-6414.
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Economic Impact Payment the IRS is facilitating this federal stimulus package including the one-time payment to most Americans.
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Federal Tax Deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020. The IRS COVID-19 information page here.
AARP Tax Aide service has been suspended. Check the website for updates.
My Free Taxes, a partnership with United Way and H&R Block, offers free online filing.
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SCORE Orlando continues to offer mentors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Free PPE for Small Businesses in Orange County. Must apply through Orange County.
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Winter Park Chamber of Commerce providing daily briefings relevant to the Winter Park business community. Focus is on connecting businesses to assistance, information and resources needed to lessen the impacts of the crisis.
Securing Your Business webinar series
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City of Winter Park Building and Permitting continues to operate through the crisis. Submit plans electronically via permits@cityofwinterpark.org. Inspections will continue on a case-by-case basis. You can schedule inspections online at Epay or call 407-599-3350.
Local Information
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City of Winter Park current information for residents and businesses
Subscribe to Winter Park’s citEnews for the latest local updates via email. Additionally, follow the City of Winter Park on Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor.
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Restaurants open for curbside or takeout
Bungalower’s list by local area (call to confirm)
Visit Orlando’s master list of restaurants open (call to confirm)
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Farmers’ Market pick up available Tuesdays & Saturdays 11am-7pm at Proper & Wild Winter Park and other locations.
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Wellbeing Network from the Center for Health and Wellbeing The digital destination for curated health and wellbeing content providing tools, resources and inspiration to people in all stages of their lives and wellbeing journeys.
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Winter Park Chamber of Commerce providing daily briefings relevant to the Winter Park business community. Focus is on connecting businesses to assistance, information and resources needed to lessen the impacts of the crisis.
Government Resources
U.S. Representative Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy
Phone: 888-205-5421
Web: https://murphy.house.gov/
Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani
Phone: 407-801-4896
Web: http://www.annaforflorida.com/
City of Winter Park
City Manager, Randy Knight citymanager@cityofwinterpark.org
City Clerk, Rene Cranis rcranis@cityofwinterpark.org
City Commissioners reachable through email: mayorandcommissioners@cityofwinterpark.org
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Register to Vote by Mail The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the August 18th Primary Election is 5 p.m. Saturday, August 8th.
Scams and misinformation
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Report price gouging If you think you are experiencing price gouging or want to report price gouging please call the Price Gouging Hotline 1-866-966-7226
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FactCheck.org A nonprofit and nonpartisan resource from the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center.
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Consumer Information from the Federal Trade Commission. Reporting on what the government is doing to prevent scams. Report a scam here.