 FootZone has taken advantage of these extraordinary times to do some much-needed updating of our website! Visitors http://www.footzonebend.com/shop/ will see a new e-commerce option, from which customers can order their favorite shoe, from their favorite local shop, from the comfort of their couch! Throughout the Stay Home, Save Lives mandate, FootZone has offered curbside pickup, free local delivery, and free shipping nationwide, but customers had to call the shop to place their order. With the launch of our e-commerce option, we make shopping at FootZone much easier for our home-bound customers, both in Bend and farther afield. Local orders will continue to be delivered to customers’ doorsteps by a cheery FootZoner, or can be picked up curbside at the shop. We have staff in store daily from 10am-5pm answering phone calls and emails, so customers are welcome to contact us with any ordering questions.  As a hub of the local running and walking community, FootZone recognizes that it is imperative that Bendites support each other through this time of health and financial challenge. Shopping local ensures that our community stays close, our downtown remains vibrant, and that our local shops and employees will thrive in the aftermath of the coronavirus. It goes without saying that we’re extremely thankful for support of Central Oregonians as we navigate this challenging time. We look forward to running and walking with all of you – soon!
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During this time of Shelter in Place and Stay Home - Stay Safe, High Desert Frameworks is challenging Central Oregon residents to find the best of the best in local photography. And you can do it without leaving your home and with no impact on social distancing. There is no doubt that these are interesting and difficult times for all of us and High Desert Frameworks wants to help get our minds into art and do it responsibly.  Join us for a "From My Archives" Photo Contest. We know how taxing it might feel like staying home for endless hours. Get up in the morning, coffee in hand and start telecommuting., No shower, no jog, no commute, no face to face interactions. It can be lonely and Netflix at night or reruns of Perry Mason just doesn’t cut it. Maybe you are entertaining the kids all day long. If so we bet you have a better understanding of primary and secondary teachers life. Don’t Fret! There is a solution! Dig through your archives of photos and enter our Photo Contest. You get a chance to win one of four prizes: Two Judges Choice and 2 Popular Choice awards! Upload your best photographs! The photographs can be abstract, contemporary, traditional, color, black and white, people, landscape, action, artistic, nature ... almost anything will do! Keep it family friendly!  Enter Today - Contest Ends April 15, 2020. (Don't worry - Tax day got moved to July 15th!) How to Enter: Upload the photographs you dug up from your archives (or take a new one) to www.Take.Pics or Image tag #FromMyArchives2020 on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Official rules located at: www.Take.Pics You know - you have to be 18 years of age or older, live in Central Oregon and a few more. Make sure you check out the rules prior to entry. Good Luck! Entry is FREE with no purchase obligation (or suggestion). Questions? Contact High Desert Frameworks at 541-647-2191 or visit www.Take.Pics for more information and official rules.  The City of Bend and the Downtown Bend Parking Advisory Workgroup are working closely together to quickly respond as the needs of Downtown businesses change during this pandemic. As of today, 3/26/20, here are the changes that have been made (until further notice). The time limits and costs have been removed from all parking lots in Downtown Bend including the Parking Garage, and the North and South Mirror Pond lots. Additionally, restrictions for on-street parking in the downtown core have been relaxed - but will still be enforced for safety impediments such as hydrants, corners, etc.  We have also created seven curbside "pick-up zones" to assist local restaurants and bars with their pick-up services. Additionally, to assist employees and employers in the Downtown core, permit sales have been waived for the month of April. We would like to thank the City of Bend and the Downtown Bend Parking Advisory Workgroup for their quick response.
Right now small businesses need your continued help and support! Here is how you can help! 
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| https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1776 Temporary Benefits: UI benefits may be available to those who are on a temporary layoff. These benefits occur for claimants whose employer stops operation for a short period of time, such as cleaning following a coronavirus exposure. In these cases, employees expect to be back to work in four weeks or less. Workers can get UI benefits, and do not need to seek work with other employers. They must be able to work, stay in contact with you as their employer, and be available to work when called back. What if my employer goes out of business as a result of COVID-19 coronavirus/Long term benefitsGenerally, you will be eligible for unemployment benefits. To find out if you are eligible, file an initial claim. We will gather information from you and your employer about your circumstances to determine your eligibility. More info on unemployment benefits: CLICK HERE |  |
Medical Insurance | Food Stamps
For state medical insurance for kids/families: https://www.insurekidsnow.gov/
For food stamps: https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/Eligibility-Apply.aspx
Information in English (PDF) Information in Spanish (PDF)
For food stamps: https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ASSISTANCE/FOOD-BENEFITS/Pages/Eligibility-Apply.aspx
Information in English (PDF) Information in Spanish (PDF)
Free Meals Map
Home Internet Access
If you need internet at home for work or school, there are several options through providers:
Comcast Internet Essentials, a low-cost home internet package for qualifying individuals and households, is not available for free for the first two months
Access from AT&T is a low-cost home internet package for qualifying individuals and households.
Comcast Internet Essentials, a low-cost home internet package for qualifying individuals and households, is not available for free for the first two months
Access from AT&T is a low-cost home internet package for qualifying individuals and households.
Business Interruption Insurance
We're not sure if it's too late - but you can look into purchasing business interruption insurance, available from many major insurance companies. Law firm Tonkon Torp breaks down the definition of interruption insurance here. We know that food service is already impacted, but I would recommend all businesses look into this as a possible option.
Additional Resources
- Business best practices and templates: https://resources.acce.org/crisismanagement
- Business Finance Officer Tom Schnell put together this helpful guide that walks businesses through steps they can take to deal with coronavirus fallout, including managing cashflow, payments and guidance on long-term planning: https://oeda.biz/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Business-Survival-Tips-During-Coronavirus.pdf
- Central Oregon Emergency Information Network: (Local, state and federal agencies in Central Oregon are working together to provide the public easy and quick access to joint emergency updates): http://coemergencyinfo.blogspot.com/
Downtown Bend merchants are responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns in a multitude of ways to prioritize safety for residents and visitors alike.
"For the most part, Downtown Bend is a community of family-owned and operated businesses," says Mindy Aisling, Executive Director of the Downtown Bend Business Association, "We all have deep ties to this community, and making sure that people feel safe shopping and eating in Downtown Bend is our number one priority right now."
"For the most part, Downtown Bend is a community of family-owned and operated businesses," says Mindy Aisling, Executive Director of the Downtown Bend Business Association, "We all have deep ties to this community, and making sure that people feel safe shopping and eating in Downtown Bend is our number one priority right now."
The Downtown Bend Business Association (DBBA) is encouraging every business to follow the full list of recommendations from the CDC for businesses and employees. Including but not limited to:
- Posting reminders/talking with employees about hand washing
- Providing no-wash sanitizer for employees to use after handling cash/throughout the day
- Keeping bleach wipes handy for employees to use on counters, cash register, etc.
- Encouraging sick employees to stay home
Some businesses are going a step further by providing sanitizer stations in their stores for customers to use. Here are photos of the recent addition of a no-touch hand sanitizing station at The Bend Store on Wall Street in Downtown Bend.
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 | Some restaurants, like Noi Thai on Bond Street, are posting memo's on their doors to help customers understand the steps they are taking to keep the community safe. Measures taken include, but are not limited to, increasing sanitation procedures, requiring employees who have traveled to infected areas to self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to work, and instituting a new sick employee policy. |
| Other merchants, like Dudley's Bookshop Cafe on Minnesota Ave, are communicating the safety measures they are taking via social media. In the Facebook post to the right, Dudley's offers online shopping at their store (your money still stays local!), free delivery (for books and coffee!), and a public hand sanitizer by the front door. |  |
If you have questions or concerns about the Coronavirus, please use these links to access additional information:
- Coronavirus Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html
- Coronavirus Communication Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/index.html
- Reginal Safety Information and Updates: http://coemergencyinfo.blogspot.com/
- A letter from St. Charles: https://www.stcharleshealthcare.org/news/preparations-place
- A message from Deschutes Co. Health Dept: https://www.deschutes.org/health/page/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
- Sign up for email updates form the Oregon Health Authority: