We Are One
Somos Uno Resiliency Fund
The Tucson Mayor and Council created the We Are One | Somos Uno Resiliency Fund at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona to provide immediate and long-term support to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund allows donors to support workers, families and children, nonprofits, and small businesses impacted by the crisis.
Resources and Information
211 Arizona (State Hotline)
2-1-1
A statewide hotline is administered by 2-1-1 Arizona and the Crisis Response Network and will offer an entry point to field questions and concerns from Arizona residents about COVID-19.
CITY SERVICE IMPACTS HOTLINE
(520) 791-2540
The City Service Impacts Hotline is now active at (520) 791-2540. Please call with questions about how city business is being conducted during this community emergency. Call takers are available for both English and Spanish speakers.
Local Updates
Ward 1 Office Closure
For the safety of our community and neighbors the Ward 1 office will be temporarily closed. We will still be taking calls and checking our emails regularly. Please do not hesitate to call or email if you have any questions or concerns. 520.791.4040 Ward1@tucsonaz.gov.
Mayor Romero’s Declaration of Emergency
On March 17, Mayor Regina Romero proclaimed a local emergency to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and provide essential protections to Tucson residents, including those who are most vulnerable to infection. The proclamation, which is effective from March 17 at 8:00 p.m. to March 31 at 11:59 p.m., includes the following measures:
All restaurants, food courts, cafes, coffeehouses, retail food facilities, and other similar businesses and establishments are prohibited from serving food and beverages for consumption on premises. However, businesses are encouraged to offer food and beverages using delivery service, window service, drive-through service, or drive-up service. If a business or establishment does not have this ability, then members of the public are permitted on its premise for the purpose of picking up their order.
Bars, taverns, brew pubs, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, special licensees, clubs, and other similar businesses and establishments offering alcoholic beverages or spirituous liquor for consumption on premises are closed to use and occupancy by members of the public.
Theaters, cinemas, indoor and outdoor performance venues, museums, gymnasiums, fitness centers recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities, exercise studios, yoga and barre studios, bingo halls, bowling alleys, indoor climbing or jumping/bouncing facilities, skating rinks, and other similar recreational or entertainment facilities are closed to use and occupancy by members of the public.
Pima County Declares State of Emergency
On March 19, the Pima County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency that addresses facilities in the unincorporated county.
Food Security
Pima County Pantry Directory
The Pima County Pantry Directory for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a directory of different pantries around Tucson and southern Arizona. Hours and closings are changing daily, so please contact individual locations first.
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona’s new hours at the Country Club location, are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. They are closed Sat/Sun/Mon.
If you are healthy and able, please help by volunteering to pack emergency food boxes. The Community Food Bank URGENTLY needs volunteers to keep operations running. Email volunteer@communityfoodbank.org to get started.
School Grab-and-Go Lunch and Breakfast Meals
Governor Doug Ducey and Superintendent Kathy Hoffman announced a statewide closure of Arizona schools from Monday, March 16, 2020 through Friday, March 27, 2020. However, many school districts, including Tucson Unified School District and Sunnyside Unified School District, are offering grab-and-go breakfast and lunch.
Tucson Unified School District
Starting March 23, TUSD is offering free Grab-and-Go Mobilized Meals across via 12 bus routes making stops at 113 locations throughout the city between 10 am and 1 pm, Monday through Friday.
Sunnyside Unified School District
Starting March 23, SUSD is offering free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch to all children ages 1-18. Pick up is available Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
SUSD Locations
Craycroft Elementary School, 5455 E. Littletown Road
Drexel Elementary School, 801 E. Drexel Road
Elvira Elementary School, 250 W. Elvira Road
Los Amigos Technology Academy, 2200 E. Drexel Road
Mission Manor Elementary School, 600 W. Santa Rosa Street
Please note that per Federal Meal Program requirements, children must be present to receive meals. Meals cannot be provided for additional children that are not present. These free meals are free to all children 18 and under. There are no eligibility requirements.
In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, our office has pulled together a resource and information guide. This is in no way exhaustive, and information and availability of resources is constantly changing. Thank you to all who continue to share resources daily.
Hygiene and Social Distancing
As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Pima County Health Department, we can’t emphasis enough the importance of washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, trying as hard as possible to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and social distancing.
If you are sick, or even experiencing mild symptoms, please stay home.
Financial Resources
For help with paying rent or utilities follow this link to Tucson 211 where you can find a list of agencies supporting families financially.
Small Local Business Stabilization
From your favorite neighborhood restaurant to the local farmers markets and community retailers, Arizona’s small businesses need our support now more than ever before. Some ways to help are by purchasing gift certificates and vouchers to use at a later date. Use takeout or curbside delivery at local restaurants. Call and inquire about curbside pickup for other commercial goods.
Word of mouth is also a no-cost way to support small businesses and it goes a long way! Like, share, and comment on the social media posts by local businesses. Repost or forward updates provided by business owners. Visit their website, read their articles, and use their affiliate links. Leave them great reviews. Refer clientele to these establishments so that local businesses can bounce back from these challenges sooner. Even words of encouragement mean a lot.
Recommendations for Local Business Owners
Effective strategies that can help local business owners in times of economic challenge during the COVID-19 outbreak are as follows:
Proactively share important information with your customers using email, your website, Facebook page, Instagram business profile, or however you typically connect.
Offer gift certificates that can be issued via email for your customer’s future use.
In case you need to postpone or cancel any planned events as a result of the outbreak, try hosting a webinar or organizing live sessions on free social network platforms such as Facebook or Instagram.
Offer curbside pick up for food or other commercial goods.
If possible, establish a work from home policy.
Actively encourage employees to use sick leave - ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance, and that employees are aware of these policies.
Separate sick employees - Separate employees that appear to have respiratory illness, and send sick employees home right away.
Perform routine environmental cleaning.
For more information, a free COVID-19 Workplace Safety Guide E-Book is available from the Women’s Business Enterprise Council and MYCA Learning.
Take advantage of federal assistance.
Resources for Local Business Owners
Funding Resources
US Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance
The Small Business Administration recently approved the state's request to allow Arizona businesses to apply for disaster assistance loans. Individual businesses who apply can be eligible for up to $2 million through the program.
Government ResourcesOSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19OSHA Guidance for COVID-19 Control & PreventionCenters for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 UpdatesWorld Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Outbreak Information
Industry Resources
National Restaurant Association COVID-19 Info & Resources
United States Bartenders Guild COVID Relief and Response Information
National Restaurant Association COVID-19 Info & Resources
United States Bartenders Guild COVID Relief and Response Information
Another Round Another Rally (Hospitality Industry Non-Profit
Digital Resources
Manage your Business Digitally
City of Tucson Webinar: Navigating the Impacts of COVID-19 for Small Businesses’
Free Online Business Webinars
Local First Arizona has additional resources on their website as well as the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce.