Welcome to our personal resource page for the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, you will find links and resources to information that explain answers to your questions in ways that are more understandable than government-mandated releases, and also including some government web pages.
We have searched the web for our favorite resources for you, but we are not perfect! If you have any other resources you would like us to include, please leave us a note in the "Comments/Feedback" section at the end of this page!
COVID-19 Testing
Are you showing symptoms for the virus and need to be tested? Do you/have you come in contact with someone that has it? Do you feel you are generally exposed to it and feel uneasy? Do you just want to be sure you don't have COVID-19 for an upcoming trip or because you went somewhere?
Well, whatever the reason, Hoosiers are able to be tested for free!
Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Testing Information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html
Porter County's Information Page: https://www.porterco.org/1614/COVID-19-Testing-Information
If you are wanting to be tested, it is required at most locations that you schedule an appointment (the Portage location offers walk-ups): https://lhi.care/covidtesting
Unemployment
Comprehensive Step by Step for Filing: applying-for-state-unemployment-benefits (Page 10 for Indiana)
Link to filing: https://www.in.gov/dwd/2362.htm
Link to Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 Unemployment: https://www.in.gov/dwd/3704.htm
Right to Refuse Dangerous Work: https://www.osha.gov/right-to-refuse.html
Schools
VCS COVID-19 News and Updates: https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/COVID-19
VCS Return to Learn Plan: https://www.valpo.k12.in.us/apps/pages/ReturntoLearn
East Porter County Schools COVID-19 general impact (Last Updated in April): https://4.files.edl.io/6e62/04/15/20/200303-1db6ec83-581d-48e6-98af-f5b084702b69.pdf
EPCS COVID-19 Reopening Plan: https://www.eastporter.k12.in.us/apps/news/article/1255854
EPCS Return to Learn Plan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14hWgEobLzJWAc6OVKeTyVXPoocVjAXAJ/view
Voting
You may not be thinking about voting during this time, but now is the best time to exercise your right to vote and let your voice be heard!
Election Day is November 3rd
Voter Registration due October 5th
Request Mail-In Ballot (Online) by October 22nd
Request Mail-In Ballot (In Person) by November 2nd
Return Mail-In Ballot by November 3rd at 6PM
Register to vote here: https://www.in.gov/idr/2601.htm
Find your polling location in your Voter Portal: https://indianavoters.in.gov/
Shopping Hours
A list of senior hours at the big-name stores: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/a31785542/stores-with-senior-hours/
Strack and Van Til Stores: Store Hours: 6am – 11pm; Senior Shopping Hour: Monday – Friday from 6am – 7am
Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/store/1479/valparaiso-in/details
Target: https://www.target.com/sl/valparaiso/1286
Aldi: Store Hours: 9AM-7PM every day
Town and Country: https://town-country-market.com/locations/valparaiso/
Meijer: https://www.meijer.com/shop/en/store/297/
Dollar General (make sure your zip code is correct): https://www.dollargeneral.com/store-locator.html
Walgreens (make sure your zip code is correct): https://www.walgreens.com/storelocator/find.jsp
CVS (make sure your zip code is correct): https://www.cvs.com/store-locator/landing?cid=ps_cor&gclid=Cj0KCQjws_r0BRCwARIsAMxfDRjOUOg_0e1Pobw88N6dyX3gWLy_CIoH4Q7tHNlk8Iwr3c7rCYHIAooaAiqWEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Food Pantries/Giveaways:
Immanuel Lutheran Food Pantry
1700 Monticello Park Dr, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Tuesday & Thursday, 1:00-3:00 pm
Serving residents of Center and Washington Townships
You may come once every 4 weeks.
Bring photo ID showing name and current address (or some other form of address verification)
Questions? Call 219-462-8207, ext. 226.
Christian Food Pantry
7 Chicago St, Valparaiso, IN 46383
(in the Asbury Centre building, on the corner of Franklin and Erie)
Monday & Wednesday, 10:00-noon
You may come once every 2 weeks.
Bring photo ID showing name and current address (or some other form of address verification)
Questions? Call 219-465-0207.
Hilltop Food Pantry
606 Union St, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Thursday, 9:00-11:30 am
You may come once a week until the COVID-19 crisis is over. After that, you may come once a month.
Bring photo ID showing name and current address (or some other form of address verification)
Questions? Call 219-477-4222, ext. 251.
Dry Goods Pantry at Valparaiso Nazarene Church
2702 E. Glendale Blvd, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Tuesday & Thursday, 1:00-3:00 pm
Providing non-food items
You must get a voucher from one of the food pantries first.
You may come once a month. Use entrance 4.
Questions? Call 219-462-2751.
Porter County Aging and Community Services (PCACS)
Delivering food boxes to anyone in need on Tuesdays & Thursdays
Anyone who needs a box can call the PCACS and just request one and they will deliver!
Eggs, milk, bread, & $30 worth of shelf stable food.
219-464-9736. Ext. 1
Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana
Healthy meal delivery throughout Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, and Starke counties
Register for meals and begin receiving within 24 to 48 hours
Call 219-756-3663 or visit www.mownwi.org
Delivery Apps/Services That Are Hiring:
Looking to pick up a few extra bucks? Become a delivery driver through these apps and work safely on your own time!
Instacart: Click Here to Learn About Being a Shopper
UberEats: Click Here to Learn About Being a Driver
Shipt: Click Here to Learn About Being a Shopper
Grubhub: Click Here to Learn About Being a Driver
DoorDash: Click Here to Learn About Being a Driver