I hope you all are safe and well as we adjust to this new normal. While many things have unfolded since early March, and the City of Mesa has undergone several changes, I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the Mesa CARES initiative.
In April, the City of Mesa launched the Mesa CARES initiative by creating the Mesa CARES community resources call center. Hosted and managed by the Mesa Public Library, the call center has over 100 City employees reassigned to the program. A phone line was open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The call center has become a reliable source of Mesa-based information for residents and businesses; connecting community members to available services. Currently, the call center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at (480) 644-CARE (2273).
To help with remote or distance learning, the City of Mesa allocated approximately $7 million from Mesa CARES funding to provide technology assistance to K-6 students in Mesa. Approximately 9,000 laptop devices are being purchased for those Mesa students.
As part of the Mesa CARES initiative, the City also created the Feeding Mesa canned food drives. Residents were asked to donate canned goods and other non-perishable food items in a series of drive-through donation events throughout the City of Mesa over several weeks.
Employees from the Mesa Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and Mesa Fire and Medical departments worked to support United Food Bank, Midwest Food Bank and other nonprofit agencies to coordinate the food drives. These collections help many individuals and families needing food assistance during these challenging times.
The Mesa CARES initiative continues to support individuals, families, and businesses impacted by COVID-19. Funding comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. For additional information and available resources, please visit mesaaz.gov/mesacares.
For daily updates, I encourage you to follow my official Facebook page: facebook.com/councilmemberdavidluna, as well as the City of Mesa: facebook.com/cityofmesa.
As always, if I can be of service to you or you wish to speak with me, I can be reached via email at district5@mesaaz.gov, or by phone at (480) 644-3771.