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Below is a list of community resources available in Mid-Missouri during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell the News Tribune about more resources via email to [email protected].
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri has an online form to request financial or volunteer assistance at cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/covid-19-coronavirus-relief-request/. People can also request assistance by calling 573-635-7719.
Common Ground Community Building is offering financial assistance for rent, utilities and bus passes. Applications are available at cgcb.org. Assistance is available by appointment only; call 573-522-4314.
The Salvation Army of Jefferson City offers rent and utility assistance. To find out if you qualify, call 573-635-1975 and follow the prompts to reach social services.
Additional funding is now available for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help Missourians with summer cooling bills from June 1 through Oct. 30. The Missouri Department of Social Services has also increased the qualifying income level. Apply online at mydss.mo.gov/energy-assistance.
Missouri.FreeLegalAnswers.org, a service of the Missouri Bar and American Bar Association, offers free legal help for people whose income has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis or who qualify as a low-income household.
Unemployment insurance is available to those who lost their job due to no fault of their own, including those laid off due to a slowdown in business caused by COVID-19. Visit Missouri's online unemployment system at uinteract.labor.mo.gov/benefits/home.do.
The United Way of Central Missouri is administering the Central Missouri Food Service Industry Relief Fund to provide financial aid to members of the on-premise food service industries who have experienced financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. To apply for aid, visit unitedwaycemo.org/covid-19 or email [email protected].
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FOOD & BASIC NEEDS
For help connecting with resources and agencies in your area, contact the United Way by dialing 211.
The Missouri Department of Social Services' Missouri Services Navigator at mo.servicesnavigator.org lists more than 2,000 services including food pantries, school meal programs for students, diaper banks, child care, counseling, financial services, employment and mental health services for the disabled, and educational services and job training.
COLE COUNTY
The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri is continuing its Cole County Mobile Food Pantry using a drive-thru. Pantry locations are the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson City, 1105 Lafayette St., from 4-6 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month; Capital West Christian Church, 1315 Fairgrounds Road, from 9-11 a.m. the third Saturday of the month; Knights of Columbus, 1822 Tanner Bridge Road, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month; Helias Catholic High School football stadium at Swifts Highway and Myrtle Avenue, from 9-11 a.m. the first Saturday of the month; St. Martin Catholic Church, 7148 St. Martins Ave. in St. Martins, from 4-6 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month; and Trinity Lutheran Church, 13007 Route C in Russellville, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month.
Aging Best is providing curbside pickup and home-delivered meals for seniors in Cole County and 18 other counties. Curbside meals are currently available from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Jefferson City's Clarke Senior Center at 1310 Linden Drive and West Point Senior Center at 2701 W. Main St. Starting April 13, meals will be available only at the Clarke Senior Center. Those who wish to pick up a meal should call the center at 573-634-8020 before 10 a.m. Those needing assistance with meals, access to food or transportation, or caregiver support should call Aging Best at 1-800-369-5211.
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri's Senior Food Box Program offers a monthly supplemental box of food to Cole County residents 60 years of age and over with a household income at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level. Each box offers a variety of foods such as non-fat dry and ultra-high-temperature fluid milk; juice; farina; oats; ready-to-eat cereal; rice; pasta; peanut butter; dry beans; canned meat, poultry, or fish; and canned fruits and vegetables. Boxes will be delivered directly to participants' residence or can be picked up at Catholic Charities offices. To apply call 573-635-7719, or visit cccnmo.diojeffcity.org.
The Salvation Army of Jefferson City, 927 Jefferson St., is continuing lunch and dinner services by offering grab-and-go meals. Its food pantry is open by appointment only, made by calling 573-635-1975 ext. 7.
Samaritan Center, 1310 E. McCarty St., has been offering a drive-thru, non-contact pantry. Pantry hours are 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 2-5 p.m. Thursdays. Starting July 6, the Samaritan Center will reopen the building for the pantry and clothing room; hours will be 10 a.m.-noon Monday through Thursday and 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday.
The Pantry JC, 2123 Missouri Blvd., distributes food from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month. During the COVID-19 outbreak it is providing additional distributions by appointment only; appointments can be made between 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and between 4:30-6:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by contacting The Pantry JC via Facebook Messenger or using the contact form at thepantryjc.org.
Building Community Bridges, 213 E. Ashley St., provides a pantry from 4:30-6 p.m. Mondays and from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays.
First Christian Church, 327 E. Capitol Ave., provides a pantry from noon-4 p.m. each Tuesday.
First Presbyterian Church, 324 Madison St., provides a pantry 1-3 p.m. every Tuesday; bring a photo ID.
Birthright can assist with diapers, baby wipes and formula. Request assistance by calling 573-635-8822 and leaving a message.
CALLAWAY COUNTY
The Fulton Soup Kitchen is offering meals to-go from 5-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 214 W. 4th St. in Fulton.
SERVE Inc.'s drive-up food pantry is open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m Mondays and Thursdays at 4901 County Road 304 in Fulton. The organization has temporarily waived income requirements.
The Holts Summit Soup Kitchen is offering hot carry-out meals from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (282 S. Greenway, Holts Summit).
The Callaway Senior Center is offering seniors curbside pick-up meals and delivery for the homebound; call 573-642-2458 for details.
MONITEAU COUNTY
With congregate meals and activities at the California Nutrition Center suspended until further notice, the center will temporarily offer curbside meals and expanded home-delivered meals to continue serving those in need. Patrons may pick up a hot meal for $4 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on weekdays. For assistance with meals, access to food or transportation, caregiver support, or a list of available resources for other aging-related needs, call Aging Best at 1-800-369-5211.
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HEALTH
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, call your doctor - do not go to the emergency room unless you need to seek prompt medical attention for worsening symptoms such as difficulty breathing. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify dispatch personnel that you have or are being evaluated for COVID-19.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers a COVID-19 hotline at 877-435-8411. The hotline accepts calls from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; it is closed on Sunday. The agency's Vaccine Navigator is online at covidvaccine.mo.gov to schedule vaccination appointments.
Capital Region Medical Center offers a COVID-19 triage line at 833-763-0444 from 8 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday.
The Cole County Health Department is operating a vaccination site at Capital Mall, 3600 South Country Club Drive, in the former Party City store.
For April 26 April 29, 2021: The site will be open Monday through Thursdayl. Appointments are available from 9 AM until 3:30 PM and can be scheduled at Missouri DHSS Vaccine Navigator covidvaccine.mo.gov. Walk-Ins are welcome 9 AM until 2 PM.
For May 3 May 6, 2021: The site will be open Monday through Thursday. Appointments are available from 9 AM until 3:30 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and can be scheduled at Missouri DHSS Vaccine Navigator covidvaccine.mo.gov. Walk-Ins are welcome 9 AM until 2 PM. New extended hours are available on Thursday from 9 AM until 5:45 PM. Walk-Ins are welcome on Thursday 9 AM until 4 PM."
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline provides 24/7 free and confidential support at 1-800-273-8255.
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Association Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, provides 24/7 crisis counseling to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
Compass Health has created a crisis hotline at 888-237-4567 staffed by mental health professionals to help those in need of urgent care.
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital offers a free online evaluation at ssmhealth.com/covid19.
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HOW TO HELP
COLE COUNTY
Help The Helpers is a volunteer group working to help meet the needs of medical and emergency personnel helping with COVID-19 pandemic efforts. The organization is collecting donations of homemade masks and hair covers outside the United Way of Central Missouri, 205 Alameda Drive in Jefferson City. Learn more at helpthehelpers.us or contact the organization at [email protected].
Local health care organizations are accepting donations of alcohol pad wipes; exam gloves; goggles, face shields and safety glasses; hand sanitizer; isopropyl alcohol; N95 medical masks or NIOSH-certified N95 respirators; protective isolation gowns; sanitizing/bleach wipes; and thermometers (display digital or forehead models). To donate to Capital Region Medical Center, drop off at the supply chain dock at 1125 Madison St., 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m., seven days a week; for directions, call 573-632-5171. To donate to Jefferson City Medical Group, drop off at the outpatient surgery center entrace, 1241 W. Stadium Blvd., 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. To donate to St. Mary's Hospital, drop off at the outpatient entrance, 2505 Mission Drive, 5 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or contact Beverly Stafford at [email protected] or 573-681-3743.
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri has established a COVID-19 relief fund to help those in need. To donate, visit cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/give. Volunteer opportunities may be found at https://cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/volunteer.
The United Way of Central Missouri has established a COVID-19 Response Fund to support local nonprofit organizations experiencing a surge in demand for services. To donate, visit unitedwaycemo.org/covid-19-response-fund. To donate to the Central Missouri Food Service Industry Relief Fund, visit unitedwaycemo.org/foodserviceindustryrelieffund. To donate to the Central Missouri Medical Personnel Relief Fund, visit unitedwaycemo.org/central-missouri-medical-personnel-relief-fund.
The American Red Cross needs blood donations to curb a severe blood shortage due to the coronavirus pandemic. go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 to find the nearest location to donate blood.
CALLAWAY COUNTY
The United Way of Callaway County has established a COVID-19 Response Fund to support local nonprofit organizations experiencing a surge in demand for services. To donate, visit callawayunitedway.com/donate or send a check payable to the Callaway County United Way, P.O. Box 793, Fulton, MO 65251. Indicate 'COVID-19 Response Fund' in the memo field of your check.
Several local restaurants have partnered with Our House to provide meals to homeless shelter residents. Call and purchase a gift card at Brooklyn Pizza (573-642-1122), Fulton Cafe (573-642-8444) or Beks (573-592-7117) and ask them to put the funds toward Our House.