Are you a Laurel resident in need of food or financial assistance?

Make an Appointment / Haga una Cita

Watch a Step by Step Video to Apply to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

Clients can now schedule appointments online! Select the service you are looking for (food, financial assistance, or other) and scroll through the calendar to view available appointment days and times. Once you have selected an appointment, fill in the requested information, answer a few questions, then click "Book."

​You may still call the office to make appointments at 301-776-0442 (Press Option 2).  
 
Please review the Financial Assistance Application & Documents Checklist prior to your appointment.

Solicitud de asistencia financiera y lista de verificación de documentos

​​OUR MISSION is to enable homeless and low-income people in Laurel who are in crisis to achieve stability and long-term self-sufficiency.  OUR VISION is a community that treats all people with dignity and helps everyone meet their basic needs.

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​Stay in touch with LARS!

LARS is Hiring!

​Development Specialist
Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services, Inc. (LARS) is seeking an enthusiastic, mission-oriented individual to join the development team as our Development Specialist. This person will be in a forward-facing role with LARS, and will enjoy networking with and educating donors and potential donors about LARS. The ideal candidate will be resourceful, organized, and a team-player who is committed to building a positive rapport with key stakeholders (individual, corporate and foundation donors). This person will also be detail-oriented and adaptable.
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Bilingual Emergency Services Case Manager
Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services, Inc. (LARS) is seeking an enthusiastic, mission-driven individual to fill the entry level position of Bilingual Emergency Services Case Manager. This person will provide vital case management services to low-income and homeless individuals and families in the Laurel, MD community. The ideal candidate will be fluent in both English and Spanish, resourceful, organized, and a team-player who is committed to building positive relationships with clients. This person will also be detail-oriented and adaptable. If you are someone who has exceptional interpersonal and communication skills along with a genuine interest in helping people overcome barriers to maintaining financial stability, we encourage you to apply today.

Your gift will provide immediate solutions like food, financial help, and critical resources for people who are at risk not only of illness, but of hunger and homelessness.

Give to the Laurel Cares COVID-19 Relief Fund

Changes Due to COVID-19

We are continuing to keep the health and safety of our clients, volunteers, employees, and community at the forefront as we navigate this public health crisis. LARS is an essential service and we are committed to being here for the families and individuals who need extra support during this time.

Click the headings below for up-to-date information on LARS' current procedures. Please call 301-776-0442 with any questions.

CLIENT SERVICES PROCEDURES

Normal operating hours remain unchanged (MWF 9am-2pm, M 5-7:30pm). 

Masks are still required for all clients, volunteers, staff, and other visitors to LARS, even if you have been vaccinated.

If you are not feeling well, please stay home. Do not visit LARS until you have been fever-free for at least 48 hours without the use of fever-suppressant medications. If you have traveled outside of the country within the last 30 days, please wait at least two weeks before visiting LARS.

Clients MUST call to schedule an appointment as we will no longer be able to accommodate unscheduled visits. We will have extra staff available to answer phone calls during this time. 

Food Assistance

All Laurel residents in need (zip codes 20707, 20708, 20723, and 20724) are eligible to receive food from LARS - typically once every 30 days, but exceptions can be made in case of emergency. Please call 301-776-0442 to schedule an appointment for food pick-up.

When arriving for your food appointment, please remember to wear a face mask and knock on the front door. Please try to maintain 6 feet of distance between yourself and other clients and staff while waiting out front. If you do not have a face mask, we can provide one to you! A staff member will assist you at the front door and ask about any special food requests. If you are not feeling well, please stay home and call us for other options.

Diapers

LARS has partnered with the Greater DC Diaper Bank to increase availability of diapers in all sizes. Families in Laurel can receive diapers from LARS once every 4 weeks. Each child can receive approximately 100 diapers per visit (maximum of 300 diapers total per family across all visits).

To receive diapers, the family (or a representative for the family) must provide documentation of each child, such as a birth certificate, insurance card, daycare/school record, medical document, etc. Families may request diapers during their food appointments or may call to schedule a separate appointment.

Financial Assistance

If you applied for Prince George's County's Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program and are denied, please reach out to LARS with proof of your ERA denial and we will assess your eligibility for other funding. If you are approved for ERA but still need additional help, you may reach out to LARS directly for future assistance.
 
If you are behind on rent or utilities for reasons NOT related to COVID-19:
You may reach out to LARS directly to make an appointment at 301-776-0442. For more information on LARS’ financial assistance process, please review the Financial Assistance Application & Documents Checklist.

Phone Services

Services that will be addressed over the phone include: Referrals, resources, asking if you have received mail, checking eligibility for food or financial assistance, and following up on the status of your case.

When asking for information specific to your personal data, our staff will ask for the client’s full name, date of birth, and last 4 digits of SSN before providing confidential information over the phone. We will not disclose any personal data without this information being provided.

Mail Collection
 
No appointments are required for picking up mail. Clients who receive their mail at LARS can pick their mail up 1x per week. Last names beginning with A-I can pick up on Mondays, J-R can pick up on Wednesdays, and S-Z can pick up on Fridays. Monday evenings are open to all. Please knock on the front door to receive your mail.

​VOLUNTEERING & Food donations

We are excited to welcome our volunteers back! If you are a current or new volunteer and are comfortable coming into LARS to volunteer during this time, please fill out this short volunteer interest form to let us know!

Food donations are still being accepted during operating hours (MWF 9am-2pm & M 5-7:30pm). Please knock on the front door or call 301-776-0442 when you arrive if you prefer to stay in your car. A staff member will unload your donation for you! Please see www.laureladvocacy.org/donate for a list of items needed.

If you are feeling unwell, please defer your donation until a later date.

sanitation procedures & recommendations

We will continue to increase sanitation procedures in our building and follow guidance from the CDC and Maryland Department of Health. Steps we have taken to prevent the spread of germs include:

1. Ensuring easy access to hand sanitizer throughout our building and plenty of soap at all hand washing sites.
   
2. Coordinating with our cleaning company to ensure deep cleanings and careful attention to highly trafficked areas. 
   
3. Increasing daily cleaning of our lobby, food pantry, and office areas, including regularly disinfecting and wiping down light switches, door knobs, and flat surfaces.
   
4. Staff and volunteers will wear gloves while handling food.
   

In case you missed it elsewhere, precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19 include:

• Stay informed: We recommend keeping updated on the most current updates from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  
• Protect yourself: Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. If possible, avoid getting on overcrowded trains, buses, or spaces.
  
• Protect others: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. If you don’t have a tissue, cough and sneeze into the inside of your elbow, not your hands.
  
• Know when to seek medical attention: Stay at home if you aren’t feeling well. If you have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. Call in advance to let your health care provider know about possible exposure.
  

special events

LARS’ Mission & Mimosas brunch fundraiser that was previously scheduled for April 4th will be postponed to Spring 2021. Stay tuned to emails, the LARS website, and LARS Facebook page for announcements!

En EspanOL

Consideramos que LARS es un servicio esencial para la comunidad y, por lo tanto, continuaremos operando con algunas modificaciones adicionales para proteger la salud de los clientes y el personal. Continuaremos haciendo todo lo que esté a nuestro alcance para asegurarnos de que estamos aquí para las familias y las personas que sin duda necesitarán apoyo adicional con necesidades básicas ahora y durante los próximos meses.

Servicios al cliente:

Las horas normales de funcionamiento permanecen sin cambios (MWF 9 am-2pm, M 5-7:30pm).

Si no se siente bien, quédese en casa. No visite LARS hasta que haya estado libre de fiebre durante al menos 48 horas sin el uso de medicamentos supresores de la fiebre. Si ha viajado fuera del país en los últimos 30 días, espere al menos dos semanas antes de visitar LARS.

Los clientes DEBEN llamar para programar una cita ya que ya no podremos atender visitas no programadas. Tendremos personal adicional disponible para responder llamadas telefónicas durante este tiempo.

Servicios telefonicos

Los servicios que se abordarán por teléfono incluyen: referencias, recursos, preguntar si ha recibido correo, verificar la elegibilidad para recibir asistencia alimentaria o financiera y hacer un seguimiento del estado de su caso.

Cuando solicite información específica de sus datos personales, nuestro personal le pedirá el nombre completo, la fecha de nacimiento y los últimos 4 dígitos del SSN del cliente antes de proporcionar información confidencial por teléfono. No revelaremos ningún dato personal sin proporcionar esta información.

Asistencia alimentaria y financiera

Los servicios de asistencia alimentaria y financiera serán proporcionados SOLO POR CITA. Se pueden hacer citas llamando a la recepción al 301-776-0442.

El pan y los productos pueden estar disponibles en el momento de su cita habitual de recogida de alimentos, pero ya no distribuiremos esos artículos sin cita previa.

Para minimizar aún más el contacto y proteger la salud de los clientes y el personal, todos los servicios se realizarán en la puerta principal. Solo se permitirá personal en el edificio. Cuando llegue a la hora programada, toque la puerta principal. Un administrador de casos le pedirá una identificación y lo asistirá allí.

Si visita LARS por primera vez para recibir alimentos, venga preparado con los siguientes documentos:

• Identificación válida con foto (adultos mayores de 18 años)
• Actas de nacimiento (niños de 17 años y menores)
• Tarjetas de seguridad social para todos los miembros del hogar
• Prueba de residencia para verificar la dirección de Laurel

Si solicita asistencia financiera, complete de antemano la Solicitud de asistencia financiera (si es posible) y venga preparado con los documentos enumerados en la Lista de verificación de documentos.

Recolección de correo

No se requieren citas para recoger el correo. Los clientes que reciben su correo en LARS pueden recoger su correo 1x por semana. Los apellidos que comienzan con A-I pueden recoger los lunes, J-R puede recoger los miércoles y S-Z pueden recoger los viernes. Los lunes por la noche están abiertos a todos. Llama a la puerta principal para recibir tu correo.

Servicios no disponibles

Los siguientes servicios no estarán disponibles hasta nuevo aviso, debido al cierre temporal de las organizaciones asociadas:

• Vales de ropa y muebles.
• Certificado de nacimiento y asistencia de identificación
• Asistencia de la vista (exámenes de la vista y anteojos)
• Representante del Departamento de Servicios Sociales
• Seguro de navegación
  

Procedimientos de saneamiento:

Continuaremos aumentando los procedimientos de saneamiento en nuestro edificio y siguiendo las instrucciones de los CDC y el Departamento de Salud de Maryland. Los pasos que hemos tomado para prevenir la propagación de gérmenes incluyen:

• Garantizar un fácil acceso al desinfectante de manos en todo nuestro edificio y mucho jabón en todos los sitios de lavado de manos.
• Coordinando con nuestra compañía de limpieza para asegurar limpiezas profundas y atención cuidadosa a áreas altamente transitadas.
• Aumentar la limpieza diaria de nuestro lobby, despensa de alimentos y áreas de oficina, incluida la desinfección y limpieza periódicas de interruptores de luz, perillas de puertas y superficies planas.
• El personal y los voluntarios usarán guantes mientras manejan los alimentos.

En caso de que se lo haya perdido en otro lugar, las precauciones para detener la propagación de COVID-19 incluyen:

• Recomendamos mantenerse actualizado sobre las actualizaciones más recientes tanto de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) como de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC).
• Protéjase: Lávese las manos con frecuencia con agua y jabón. Si no hay agua y jabón disponibles, use un desinfectante para manos que contenga al menos 60% de alcohol. Si es posible, evite subirse a trenes, autobuses o espacios superpoblados.
• Proteja a los demás: cubra la tos y los estornudos con un pañuelo de papel. Si no tiene un pañuelo de papel, tosa y estornude dentro de su codo, no en sus manos.
• Sepa cuándo buscar atención médica: quédese en casa si no se siente bien. Si tiene fiebre, tos y dificultad para respirar, busque atención médica. Llame con anticipación para informar a su proveedor de atención médica sobre una posible exposición.
  

prince george's county COVID-19 RELIEF RESOURCES

COUNTY HOTLINE: 301-883-6627 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.

PG COUNTY Coronavirus Factsheets: https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3397/Coronavirus

MARYLAND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS: https://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/uicovidfaqs.shtml

BGE is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment charges at least until May 1. Customers who may be challenged in paying their bill should contact BGE Customer Care at 800-685-0123.
bge.com/coronavirus

​WSSC will suspend all water service shutoffs for those facing financial difficulties. Customers are encouraged to contact WSSC Water and speak with a representative at 301-206-4001 or 1-800-828-6439 to discuss their specific situation.
https://www.wsscwater.com/contents/news/2020/wssc-water-suspends-water-shutof.html

WASHINGTON GAS is temporarily suspending customer disconnections and waiving late fees for anyone unable to pay their monthly bills. Please visit eservice.washgas.com for assistance.  Walk-in offices are closed. To pay bills to reconnect consumers can call (703) 750-7944.
https://www.washingtongas.com/media-center/open-letter-to-customers

PEPCO is suspending service disconnections and waiving new late payment fees through May 1. Pepco will be working with customers on a case-by-case basis to establish payment arrangements and identify energy assistance options.  Customers who may be challenged in paying their Pepco bill should contact Pepco Customer Care at 202-833-7500. https://www.pepco.com/SafetyCommunity/Safety/Pages/coronavirus.aspx

PROHIBITION ON EVICTIONS: Governor Hogan has issued an emergency order that prohibits Maryland courts from ordering the eviction of any tenant who can show that their failure to pay rent was the result of COVID-19—for example, because of lost or reduced unemployment, or needing to care for a school-aged child—or because they are diagnosed with, or under investigation for, COVID-19.
https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Executive-Order-Temp-Evictions-Prohibiting.pdf

PROHIBITION ON FORECLOSURES: The Department of Housing and Urban Development was directed to suspend all evictions and foreclosures on HUD-backed properties until the end of April. The Federal Housing Finance Agency said it was directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to suspend all foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days. Consumers should be encouraged to communicate with their lenders.

MEDSTAR E-VISIT waives fees to talk with a primary care doctor online: “To manage the threat of COVID-19 and as a service to our community, we are temporarily waiving the fee for our MedStar eVisit service. Please note, if you are a first-time MedStar eVisit user you will be asked to enter your insurance information when you register. However, your insurance will not be charged and you will not incur a self-pay charge.”  For more information Google MedStar eVisit.

EXPANSION OF AVAILABLE SCHOOL MEALS: Certain Maryland schools are providing three meals a day, and a snack, to students impacted by the statewide closure of schools. MSDE has 138 meal distribution centers across the state as of March 17.

PG SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS: Prince George’s County Public Schools is offering a number of grab-and-go meal sites for students during the statewide shutdown of schools because of the coronavirus, and students will also be able to grab learning materials. Students can pick up breakfast, lunch and a snack from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. Children don’t have to be with a parent of guardian to pick up the food. Adults cannot pick up the food for children.  See the current list of schools offering lunch. https://www.pgcps.org/coronavirus/meal-sites/

WMATA has announced they are further reducing metro service. The rail system will close at 11:00 PM daily until further notice, and the public is urged to use Metro for essential trips only. More information can be found on their website.

The Department of Public Works & Transportation has announced a reduction in TheBus services. TheBus has suspended transit service on Routes 21x, 22, 25, 35s, 51, and 53, as well as reduced service on Routes 27 and 34. There will be no fare charged on TheBus routes in service until further notice. Also, to promote social distancing, TheBus asks riders to enter and exit using the rear doors only, to limit close contact between passengers and the driver. Exceptions will be made for individuals with disabilities and mothers with strollers. If you are not feeling well, do not take public transportation, call your health care provider immediately and ask for guidance and assistance. This is for your personal safety and the safety of our public transportation drivers.

Grocery stores in our County have announced special senior shopping hours to assist our seniors with their shopping needs. Safeway hours are 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Giant hours are 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM daily. Save-A-Lot hours are 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM daily. Please help us share this information with our seniors, and consider offering to pick up groceries for a senior loved one or neighbor that you know.

A comprehensive list of actions taken by Governor Hogan, as well as additional resources and ways that all Marylanders can help during this public health emergency, can be found online at the new Maryland Unites website.

Volunteer Today
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Help is always needed in the food pantry, in the office, and at special events! Submit a volunteer interest form for more information!

How Do You Respond?
​
When someone on the street asks you for help, how do you respond?

​We all find ourselves confronted with these situations, and it can be uncomfortable because we don't know the right thing to do or say. Homelessness is easy to ignore as we go about our daily routines, but coming face to face with someone on the street is a gut-wrenching reminder that 29,670 people don't have a safe place to sleep at night, right here in our nation's wealthiest state.

One easy way to help someone in crisis is to hand them a resource card. They may be new to the area or unaware of where to go for help.

Download Homeless Resource Cards for the Laurel area.

This is How Your Dollar Makes a Difference
Give a one-time or recurring gift to LARS today!

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