Task Forces Hard at Work During Pandemic

​PRINCE WILLIAM, VA – August 12, 2020 – The Prince William Emergency Operations Center coordinates several task forces that continue to work during the pandemic on community feeding programs, COVID-19 testing and county operations, as well as rent, mortgage and utility relief.

In a recent presentation to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, Prince William Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Misner updated the board on the work of the task forces.

Community Feeding Task Force

In July, the Community Feeding Task Force distributed 977,000 pounds of food through its warehouse, on Kao Circle in the Manassas area, with funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act.

In addition to its regular distribution, the feeding task force makes 200 deliveries to shut-in senior citizens each month. One delivery feeds a shut-in senior for nearly one week. The feeding task force also makes 500 monthly deliveries to homebound families. Each delivery feeds a family of four for about four days.

The feeding task force was implemented a few months before the coronavirus pandemic hit the area in March. To date, the task force has distributed 2.6 million pounds of food, which equates to more than 1.3 million meals.

COVID-19 Testing Task Force

The COVID-19 Testing Task Force runs six fixed testing sites at Splashdown Waterpark, the Woodbridge Senior Center, Cloverdale Park, James S. Long Park, the Dumfries-Triangle Rescue Squad Station and Metz Middle School for drive-through or walk-up testing.

Mobile testing is also available. Visit https://coronavirus.pwcgov.org/testing/ for more information about COVID-19 testing locations and times. Testing is free to anyone who lives in the county or the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.

Rent, Mortgage and Utility Relief Task Force

The Rent, Mortgage and Utility Relief Task Force helps people who are having trouble meeting their rent, mortgage and utility payments, through the Emergency Housing and Assistance Program. Funding for the program, which is administered by the Prince William County Office of Housing and Community Development, came from the CARES Act. Since the task force was established on July 1, it has received 813 applications and provided $213,000 in assistance.

Reconstitution Task Force

The Reconstitution Task Force helps county agencies, as they continue in-person operations, by providing precautions such as plexiglass shields, personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer. The task force reviews U.S. Department of Labor and Industry emergency regulations to determine how the regulations are implemented across the county.

For more information on the county’s efforts revolving around COVID-19, text COVIDPWC to 888-777 for English or COVIDPWCES to 888-777 for Spanish.