By Alexa Ura, The Texas Tribune April 15, 2020 Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the judge's official order signed Friday. A state district judge signed an order easing restrictions for voting by mail in Texas in light of the new coronavirus pandemic.

By Lorraine Pulido VIA and the San Antonio Food Bank are partnering to help make sure homebound residents don’t go hungry during these challenging times. On March 31, VIA operators began delivering meals and supplies prepared by Food Bank staff and volunteers to homes and distribution points throughout San Antonio. Deliveries will take place Monday through Friday. Since VIA joined the Food Bank’s mission to “fight hunger and feed hope,” operators have distributed more than 650 food packages to nearly 500 locations throughout the city.

More and more businesses, individuals and organizations are heeding the call to help in COVID-19 outbreak recovery efforts. Here are some local relief efforts, and some ways you can help others:

Even before Mayor Ron Nirenberg and County Judge Nelson Wolff issued stay-at-home orders, San Antonian Susie Hamilton had been approached by immunocompromised friends who asked her to sew face masks, a commodity in short supply and high demand due to the spread of COVID-19.

Healthcare workers, first responders and government agencies are working around the clock addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. But nonprofits, individuals, schools, businesses and grassroots groups are doing their part in the battle to slow the spread of coronavirus, especially when it comes to helping the more vulnerable members of the community. Here’s a bit of what’s happening around town and some ways you can help:

San Antonio fashion designer Leighton Whittington had just been laid off from his job as lead stylist of the salon at La Cantera Resort & Spa and felt a sense of dread and helplessness while pondering what the future might hold amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Looking around his living room, his eyes fell upon the mounds of soft, colorful fabrics piled on a table when a brilliant idea suddenly struck him.

Leola “Doris” Wallace was a fashion designer and seamstress who had an unusual knack for taking just one look at someone and mentally recording their measurements to sew the perfect dress, pantsuit or any other outfit they wanted.

Staying home last week saved 1,271 lives in San Antonio and Bexar County. Not only that, but 8,832 people didn't go to the hospital because you stayed home, according to projections by CI:Now, a San Antonio nonprofit that expands access to data that is understandable, trustworthy and timely. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff issued a Stay Home, Work Safe Order on March 25, 2020. For many people, staying home since then has been a frustrating experience with few tangible benefits.

By Ross Ramsey, The Texas Tribune March 24, 2020 “Your money or your life!” has never seemed so stark.