Dear Friends and Neighbors-

Thank you to everyone who is doing their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19. As we continue to live through this unimaginable time in our history, I know many of you are facing hardships and struggles you had not thought possible just a few weeks ago. My heart goes out to so many in our community who are suffering, frightened and not sure where to turn.  So, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide resources for businesses and residents that may be struggling. And for those of us that are fortunate enough to have the ability, I wanted to share some places where you may want to donate during this crisis.

Health and Human Services:

Director of Placer County Health and Human Services Department Jeff Brown, Placer County Public Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson, and their entire staff are working around the clock to assist our hospitals, health care professionals, and residents. If you or someone you know needs help with housing, support, or mental health services, you can find all the HHS Resources HERE. Also, please follow Dr. Sisson’s orders to stay-at-home carefully.  Each of us must do everything we can to slow down the spread of this virus.   

Business Resources:

The Placer County Economic Development Department has provided many business resources on their webpage. You can also call one of their team members at 916-770-8380. Whether you are a business or a worker, they have many opportunities for you to learn about what is available through programs at the federal, state, and county level.

Placer County also helps fund the Sierra Small Business Development Center and they are offering one-on-one appointments with business advisors who can help business owners navigate U.S. Small Business Administration loan applications, help with financials, cash flow issues and more. They can be reached by phone at 530-582-4800.

The Placer County Community Development Resource Agency (CDRA) continues to provide planning, engineering, building and inspection services to the public. The eServices portal is available 24/7.

If you are in a position to spend money at this time, please support local businesses in the ways you can- order to-go food from your favorite restaurants or purchase gift certificates from your favorite stores that you can use when they reopen. The more we can support each other, the better.

Healthcare Facilities and Non-Profits:

Whether you’re looking for resources for yourself or your family or you are fortunate enough to have the means to help out at this time, I would recommend you check out some of the amazing organizations that are serving District 5 residents during this crisis:

Central and Western Placer County:

Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital: You can donate medical supplies or give online to the areas of greatest need to support Sutter Health’s community response to COVID-19.

Placer Community Foundation: Donate to the COVID-19 Response Fund, which will deploy financial resources to community-based organizations to help them swiftly and effectively address the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and mitigation measures in western Placer County.

Auburn Interfaith Food Closet: Provides groceries to those in need, living in Central Placer County, from Loomis to Emigrant Gap and Lake of the Pines to Foresthill. 

Seniors First: Currently providing to-go meals to seniors in need.

Boys and Girls Club of Placer County: Offering bags of food to families in need and virtual activities for kids.

Eastern Placer County:

Tahoe Forest Hospital Foundation:  Donate to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. This fund will support the purchase of additional patient ventilators, provide Personal Protective Equipment for staff, supplement our COVID-19 Drive-by Clinic, and help with emergency staffing needs. 

Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation: Donate to the TTCF Emergency Response Fund which will be focused on our local nonprofits in eastern Placer County that serve as a safety-net for our locals.

Sierra Community House: Providing hunger relief through food distribution and crisis intervention services.

Sierra Senior Services: Offering “Meals on Wheels” lunches delivered to seniors’ homes and to-go lunches available for pick-up for seniors.

Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe: Providing free dinners three times per week to any child under 18.

We have an amazing community that is giving back and helping those in need.  I have been incredibly touched by the remarkable efforts of so many individuals and businesses who are struggling themselves but reach out to help each other, their neighbors, and even strangers.  My heart especially goes out to our phenomenal health care workers – they and their families are sacrificing so much to take care of us at great risk to their own health and well-being.  Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Take good care of yourself and your loved ones.  Stay well. Together, we will get through this.  

– Cindy Gustafson, District 5 Supervisor