LAFAYETTE STRONG

Lafayette Strong Logo Wide 

Lafayette, like communities all across the nation, has experienced hardship during the Covid-19 emergency. But our strength lies in helping others in times of need. Here is an overview of Lafayette's community response to the Covid-19 emergency. We are so thankful to the many residents, businesses and organizations who are reaching out to offer their assistance. Together we will come out of this emergency stronger and better. #LafayetteStrong

City of Lafayette

The City of Lafayette will received $6.3M in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the federal government to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economic impacts. This one-time infusion of funds is welcomed in Lafayette as it will help mitigate losses incurred during the pandemic. The City Council established an ARPA subcommittee consisting of Councilmembers Anduri and Dawson as well as and a temporary Economic Development Manager to develop and administer expenditure of the funds. Read more.

The City offered the Business Assistance Program as a way to help local businesses and non-profits access available loans offered by the state and federal governments. The program ended in March 2022.

 

Lamorinda Spirit Van 

If you are 60+ and live in Lamorinda, the Lamorinda Spirit Van is now open and providing rides to destinations in Lamorinda, Concord, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek.  Please email dispatch@lovelafayette.org or call 925-283-3534 for information or to make your ride reservation.  Rides are $5 one way or $10 round trip within Lamorinda; $10 one way or $20 round trip to destinations in Concord, Martinez, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek.  Rides are $2.50 one way or $5.00 round trip to Café Costa.  With gratitude for an ARPA grant from the Lafayette Community Foundation, rides are free for low income seniors who live in low income senior housing or who have an annual income of $30,000 or less.

 

Recreation & Senior Services

Check out the current Guide for the list of recreation classes for kids, adults, and seniors at www.lafayetterec.org.

 

Lafayette Chamber of Commerce

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lafayette Chamber has supported local business through on-going advocacy and promotion. Working closely with they City, they helped to publicize the Business Assistance Program and the City's Shop Local eCard Program. They also facilitated solutions between businesses, property owners, and the city for outdoor spaces to be used for safe dining and shopping in Lafayette’s Restaurant Row, and along the Boulevard.  Since the start of the pandemic, the Lafayette Chamber has remained strong, and has grown to more than 660 members. They continue to advocate with local government agencies, provide valuable business resources, and engage the community. Visit their website at www.lafayettechamber.org for more information as well as their complete calendar of upcoming events. 

 

Lafayette Community Foundation

The Lafayette Community Foundation would like to thank everyone who participated in the Covid-19 Community Matching Campaign. The community really came together and helped LCF exceed its campaign goal proving that Community Can't be Cancelled. LCF will distribute more than $124,000 to 26 nonprofits--the most in its 20-year history. The needs of these worthy agencies are ongoing as they move toward recovering and rebuilding from the crisis. Therefore, LCF will continue to accept donations and steer those funds toward future Excellence Grants. To find out more, please visit www.lafayettecf.org. 

 

Lafayette Rotary 

The Lafayette Rotary Club, as it always does, has stepped up to meet current challenges. Its members have agreed to match every dollar donated to the Lafayette Rotary Foundation, up to $15,000, to go to the Contra Costa/Solano Foodbank.  This donation, coupled with the potential of a matching amount by the Lesher Foundation, will make a huge impact on feeding many local families in desperate need of help during the Covid-19 pandemic. And here’s how you can help: 

  • Make your credit card contribution to the Foundation for the Foodbank through the “Give Smart” site. 
  • A donation by check can be mailed to the Lafayette Rotary Foundation at PO Box 943, Lafayette, CA 94549. Make your check out to the Lafayette Rotary Foundation and write “Foodbank” in the memo line. 
  • You can also donate your time by volunteering at the Foodbank by visiting https://volunteer.foodbankccs.org/. 

This need is urgent so this campaign is going to be run only through May 20. If you have any questions, you can send email to info@rotarylafayette.org. 

 

Lamorinda Cares

Lamorinda Cares provides free in-residence coronavirus testing to all of our seniors living in residential care centers in Lafayette, Orinda, and Moraga. Working closely with the County, this is truly a heroic effort in difficult situations, and such a gift to our most at-risk residents. Each test costs $56, and the Lamorinda community foundations are assisting in this effort. If you would like to make a fully tax-deductible donation and support Lamorinda Cares, please visit https://lafayettecf.org/

 

Lamorinda Village

If you or someone you know needs grocery shopping or medication pick up, Lamorinda Village can help.  If you are an at-risk senior or someone who wishes to volunteer to help, please send an email to info@lamorindavillage.org or call (925) 283-3500.

 

Assistance League of Diablo Valley

The Assistance League of Diablo Valley is reaching out to the homebound. The League’s TeleCare member volunteers are making reassurance phone calls to the homebound, people of all ages, male and female, Monday through Friday. If you feel that you or someone you know would benefit from a friendly and comforting phone chat, please phone (925) 934-0901 to request a TeleCare call.

 

Lafayette Schools and LPIE

Join Acalanes High School families and the Lafayette community in a Community Can’t Be Canceled campaign highlighting how we can use this time apart to come together. Find out more about the Community Can't Be Canceled campaign on the Acalanes Parents Club website.

 

Latest Coronavirus Information

For the latest coronavirus information, visit the following websites:

Contra Costa Health Services: www.coronavirus.cchealth.org

California's Covid Response: covid19.ca.gov

Centers for Disease Control (CDC): www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

 

Other Important Resources