COVID-19 Nonprofit Needs

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

Officials at Sunset Home are seeing an increase in medical personnel costs due to the increased use of personal protective equipment and overtime for staff. 

Service Area: Marion and Ralls County, Missouri

Due to the recent COVID-19 crisis and businesses closing, community members being laid off and childcare facilities closing, officials are seeing an increase in community requests for food assistance. During a "typical" six month period, Douglass Community Service serves 1985 families that are low income/no income or in an emergency situation that have no access to foods. Officials anticipate, based on the need in the past two weeks, that they will see an increase of at least 30% in the next six months, which could be a conservative estimate, and totally dependent upon the impact of this crisis in our communities. 

Service Area: Adams, Brown, Hancock and Pike County, Illinois

Quanada is not currently housing victims of domestic and sexual violence in their shelter facility, as communal living presents an increased risk for COVID-19 transmission. They are arranging placements for victims seeking shelter to stay in local hotels/motels. However they have very limited existing funds for this option. Victims of domestic violence are at an increased risk for severe injury and fatality given the Governor's order to stay at home when possible. Simply put, social isolation is a tactic already employed by abusers to harm victims. Social isolation makes our community safer from the COVID-19 virus but does not keep victims safe from violence.

Service Area: Adams, Brown and Pike County, Illinois

Due to the recent health crisis, the Salvation Army of Quincy is in need of food for shelter residents, and for those coming to the pantry for assistance. Much of this is due to loss of work and income at this time. Because of COVID-19, the shelter has been mandated that only one person may stay in a shelter room.  Therefore, officials can only serve nine clients at a time. Due to lack of beds, they have had to put people up in motels.  Organizers are working with motels to house those who are homeless.  They have also been trying to keep families in their homes by helping with food and utilities.

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

With the COVID-19 crisis, there is an increase of United Way of Adams County Help Line calls for people requesting assistance with food and housing needs.  The United Way of Adams County, IL Coronavirus (COVID-19) Relief Fund’s goal is to compliment the social service system by meeting the needs of individuals in Adams County with limited resources that may exceed the limits of area agencies.  The United Way of Adams County has the structure to provide assistance with grocery bills, food delivery, housing payments, and utility bills that our clients may need help with as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis.  They anticipate a continued rise in call volume over the next several weeks as housing payments are coming due.  Officials evaluate each request and will only use this money for specific cases related to COVID-19.  

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

Cheerful Home Child Care & Early Learning Center in Quincy has chosen to operate with an Emergency License to provide child care to essential service providers. Cheerful Home is not charging parents whose children cannot attend  because they do not meet the essential provider status or those who choose to shelter at home. The loss of income from these families is approximately $3,200 a week. However, Cheerful Home has chosen to keep staff working so they don't lose pay or benefits. 

Service Area:  Pike County, Illinois; Clark, Lewis, Marion, Ralls, Pike, Knox, Shelby and Monroe County in Missouri

Officials with The Child Care Center know that thousands of children in Clark, Knox, Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Pike, Ralls and Shelby counties face a heightened risk of abuse and neglect as Coronavirus-related school closures keep them at home and away from the biggest source of hotline reports – educators.  

In addition to being separated from teachers, counselors and coaches they trust, children are impacted by the stress and anxiety parents are feeling.  Domestic violence increases when caregivers experience economic instability, lack of child care, housing insecurity and anxiety, particularly financial stress. Some caregivers may even face lack of food and other basic needs.  

The Child Center created four Facebook events for caregivers called Protecting Your Kids Online.  This online training will discuss online gaming, social media and how children spend time online.  Parents will learn about Tik Tok, Xbox Live, Snapchat, Omegle, YouTube and get the information they need to keep their kids safe online. 

The goal for this online training is 80% of the parents/caretakers who participate will report they are more educated about the dangers children can encounter on the Internet.  

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

Quincy Public Schools is offering breakfast and lunch at drop off sites so we are providing snack and an evening meal.  Students would normally receive the meal while attending Teen REACH.  The amount delivered does include enough to serve the entire family and Friday's has additional food for the weekend.  Currently 41 families (138 people) are fed with additional people added daily.  Costs to Bella Ease include food, packaging material, gas for vehicles, and staff costs.  It is increasingly more difficult to purchase food for a large number of people due to limitations set by stores due to hoarding.

Quincy Public Schools is offering school work online and/or on paper at drop off sites to keep students current.  Many low income students do not have computers and/or do not have adults that are invested in their educational needs.  Bella Ease partnered with First Book to receive 50 codes that enables the download of 10 free ebooks per code (student).  Due to the limited electronics available the organization is purchasing 30 chrome books for the students to use to download/read the books and to keep current with school work.  One of Teen REACH's teachers is available to assist the students remotely on how to download the books and assistance with their school work.  

Service Area: Marion County, Missouri 

Prior to the pandemic, Harvest Outreach coordinated efforts to serve a hot meal Monday-Friday evenings and open to anyone in need.  Due to COVID-19, individuals can no longer gather for a congregate meal. In response, Harvest Outreach is distributing sack lunch meals for pick-up at the Hannibal Nutrition Center. Officials have already reached out to volunteer groups to ask for their financial support, but in order to ensure successful continuation throughout the duration of the crisis, additional funding is needed.  Unfortunately, should funding run out, this service will no longer be available to individuals in need.

Service Area: Adams, Brown, Hancock and Pike County, Illinois

Western IL FCA is requesting a grant for general operating support. They serve coaches and athletes in several Illinois counties and 100% of their people have been dramatically impacted by this crisis.  ALL school and sporting events, practices, meetings, coaching clinics, and huddles have been canceled. 

The COVID-19 crisis has also had a huge negative financial impact on Western IL FCA because spring fundraising events have been canceled, just like the sport seasons. 

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

With the spread of COVID-19 and the state-wide mandate to close eating establishments, Horizons has worked to establish a process to provide carry out meals to new and existing clients. Horizons is serving as many as 100 additional meals per day as the shut down has put many citizens temporarily out of work. Horizons has also adapted the food pantry and are providing prebagged food donations. 

The sizeable uptick in numbers served, the added cost to provide carry out meals, and indefinitely postponing the organizations largest annual fundraiser, Hope for Horizons, will leave Horizons with a sizeable gap in the ability to fund the soup kitchen and food pantry for the spring and summer. 

Service Area: Marion  County, Missouri

Stress levels are at an all-time high and consumers could potentially be more vulnerable to turn back to addiction and unhealthy behaviors as a coping mechanism during this pandemic.

The general operation of treatment programs is in need of funding. Turning Point Recovery Centers are modifying services as they provide tele-therapy during the COVID-19 crisis so consumers can continue receiving the treatment services they need, while complying with the CDC guidelines of proper social distancing. 

The Turning Point Recovery Centers facility is still open and paying staff as they are working, however, due to the COVID-19 crisis, operating expenses during this time are greater than the amount of income. During a normal month, TPRC generally houses 30-60 residential consumers at any given time. Due to COVID-19 and the CDC guidelines, the number of residential consumers is currently less than 5, which means a significant loss of income. TPRC is still providing outpatient services via tele-therapy, but the loss of income still has the potential to be overwhelming.

Service Area: Clark, Lewis, Marion, Ralls,  Knox, Shelby and Monroe County

Along with increasing food prices and food availability, many sources of The Food Bank’s revenue and food acquisition have been curtailed in an effort to flatten the curve of infection and protect against the spread of the virus. The Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri has implemented a policy of not accepting individual food donations or holding food drives, two sources of food acquisition which made up a large part of  food reserves in the past.  Instead, they are encouraging monetary donations so they'll have the funds to purchase food for distribution. However, individual monetary donations are now also dwindling due to uncertainty about the economic environment and donors’ own employment and financial security. 

In addition, in an effort to comply with local and federal social distancing recommendations, The Food Bank has canceled all fundraising events scheduled to occur in April. Without adequate funds, we will be unable to acquire food through available sources to serve the sharply increasing numbers of families and children who depend upon our services due to layoffs, employment disruptions, school closures, and other financial hardships as a result of the pandemic. 

Service Area: Adams, Brown and Hancock County, Illinois

The need for food for the Food Pantry and requests for financial assistance increases daily because of COVID-19. Families are spending more time at home because schools are closed and parents have either lost their jobs or had their hours drastically reduced. 

Grant funds will be used to directly impact our clients because we are giving food more often than usual and in larger quantities to families with children. We are temporarily waiving our requirement to attend "Money Matters" classes to receive assistance for the second year to receive financial assistance.  These funds will be used to purchase food and assist families with rent/mortgage, utilities, etc.

Service Area: Pike County, Missouri

The Village of the Blue Rose, established in 1992, opened its Clarksville area group home in 1996. The mission is to employ developmentally disabled adults in the restaurant, bed & breakfast rooms, and shops while providing a family style living setting for them. To stay true to the mission, The Village of the Blue Rose does not accept federal or state funding. The Village is certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health.  All Village support is from our noted business endeavors, fundraisers, and donations. Due to the Coronavirus, income operations are closed. Residents are not receiving paychecks and the Village continues to have expenses for on site staff. Residents pay a small portion of their monthly room and board from their paychecks and use their remaining funds for personal expenses. Twenty-four hour staff remains on site in two residences to supervise daily resident activities and to assure their safety. Until the Coronavirus crisis resolves there is no source of income for the facility.  

Service Area: Clark, Lewis, Marion, Ralls, Pike, Knox, Shelby and Monroe County, Missouri

During this national crisis transportation services are critical to ensure people still have access to the community. General service trips that are non-essential have been cut back drastically  to lessen the spread of germs, however OATS, Inc. is tasked with ensuring essential service for people to access medical care, dialysis, and groceries in order to continue living independently in their own homes. 

OATS Transit is taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of riders and staff while offering this essential service. Services are imperative during the response to the COVID-19 emergency for both public health and safety, as well as community well-being. Emergency funding is needed to keep the public transit system running throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and to offset funding loss that occurred because suspended services.  

Service Area: Adams, Brown and Pike County, Illinois

Two Rivers Regional Council is expected to experience an increase in client servicing for LIHEAP, SNAP, TANF, PIP and other benefits. With the person-to-person restrictions being placed on personnel to provide services, Two Rivers Regional Council needs to significantly upgrade the ability to work remotely. 

Service Area: Brown County, Illinois

Midwest Youth Services provides services to runaway, homeless, and at risk youth ages 9-24. Many youth who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless rely on those services to provide support, emergency food and hygiene products, and case management services to promote and assist in growth and successful independence following program exit. 

Currently, Midwest Youth Services is experiencing a greater need than their program provides. In the past week they have received referrals from youth who are at risk or very near to homelessness due to loss in wages directly linked to COVID-19 layoffs. Organizers have provided as many emergency food packages as possible and distributed lunches in a drive through option at the agency. Staff remain working with youth and responding to crisis calls on a 24/7 basis. 

Midwest Youth Services is known for not only the services provided, but community collaboration and never turning away a qualifying program youth in need. At this time it is uncertain if they will be able to maintain that reputation as the demand for food and shelter is growing daily. They continue to receive donations, distribute items and assist with streamline benefit enrollment; however the increase in need is problematic. 

Service Area: Hancock County, Illinois

The Hancock County Health Department uses an Electronic Message Board (lighted sign with scrolling messages located in front of the building, visible from both directions) to post health-related messages of public interest. The sign has six panels that need to be replaced, so at this time there are large black spots on both sides that make messages very difficult to read. 

The current COVID-19 crisis is rapidly evolving with new guidances and public health messages received from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the CDC every day. It is  more important than ever to utilize every method of keeping citizens of Hancock County informed of the latest recommendations. 

Service Area: Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike County, Illinois and Clark County, Missouri

The Mississippi Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America is requesting funds to continue operating our organization. 

The majority of  fund-raising efforts the organization needs to operate for the whole year are conducted in the Spring which allows them to focus on membership recruitment and Troop/Pack support in the fall. The affected revenue generating activities include the annual campaign, special events (Trivia Night, Adventure Race, Sporting Clays, Top Shot, Bowlathon, Adams County Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner, Burlington Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner, Burlington Dueling Pianos), and  Camp Card Fundraiser. In total, the organization is looking at a potential revenue deficit of more than 20% of our Council’s 2020 budget.

It should be noted that the Mississippi Valley Council receives no funds from taxes or the government. All funds are raised locally and are spent locally. 

Many organizations and sports have ceased their activities due to the shelter in place orders. While the Boy Scouts have also mandated this for the safety of the Scouts, they are still able to provide program in the form of at-home activities and skill instruction via web conferences. The Boy Scouts believes their program is integral to the development of all youth as they teach family values, emergency preparedness, character development, and the value of community service and supporting your community. 

Service Area: Hancock County, Illinois

LaHarpe School District is currently providing much needed food to over 100 students who live in the district. These students are not necessarily LaHarpe students. They are students who are enrolled in the school, home schooled students, or attend the local high school district. Officials are having to prepare meals that are not our normal reimbursable meal but are meals that have non-perishable items included in them. The cost of these meals are more than double normal meal cost.  It also costs to deliver some of the meals and the packaging of the meals is expensive.  All of these things are adding up. 

Teachers are having to set up distance learning for students. This is also costing additional money for the packing of the packets of work that the district is having to send home since most of students do not have internet capabilities. The district is also having to use additional cleaning material and more frequently to keep employees safe.  The district is not a one to one school as far as technology goes. They have some chrome books for older students but they are out dated and many of them are broken. The state has asked what the district's needs are to put technology into the hands of students.  The district has heard nothing from them as to if they are going to help.   

Service Area: Pike County, Illinois

The Barry Food Pantry is a non-for-profit program that offers food for families in Pike County, Illinois. The pantry operates only from donations of individuals, businesses and fundraisers and does not receive any government funding. 

The pantry is serving significantly more individuals because of Illinois residents being quarantine due to the Coronavirus. Several families of Pike County are unemployed or their wages have been decreased due to the quarantine. Several of these families have children, who are school age and/or younger. The children are losing out on having breakfasts and lunches at school. 

The numbers of people being served has increased over 35% in the last 3 weeks. The Barry Food Pantry numbers increased by 284 individuals since the middle of March when quarantine was enforced.  

Service Area: Adams, Brown, Hancock and Pike County, Illinois

Due to the Coronavirus, Care Net Pregnancy Services has had to cancel a major fundraiser, Crabfest.  It is quite possible that the Baby Bottle Blitz scheduled to start May 10, 2020 with at least 65 local churches, will be postponed as well. Organizers hope to reschedule both of these events but don't know how many weeks or months that might be nor can they guess what turn out or participation might be.  

The Baby Bottle Blitz provides 25% of the organization's income and CrabFest provides roughly 10% of the budget. Along with canceling fundraisers, general giving has been impacted.  Because of donors facing their own financial difficulties and churches are seeing a decline in tithing, monthly donations have dropped.

Service Area: Adams, Brown and Pike County, Illinois; Marion and Ralls County, Missouri

The COVID-19 pandemic has completely shifted operations for Quincy Community Theatre. The board made the decision to close the theatre to the public effective March 16 at 5 pm out of an abundance of caution. Production schedule and outreach activities were slowed at that time then officially postponed or cancelled upon the enactment of the governor's stay home order on March 21. Because of the nature of the organization, all forms of revenue ceased at that point as well. However, the theatre has now turned to virtual means of engagement and connection.

Since the stay-at-home order was established, the theatre has had to indefinitely postpone one production, cancel one production, and cancel all education and outreach programming. They have also seen a drop in revenue due to the inability to rent out the theatre or any costume pieces. 

The only expenses the theatre continues to incur at this time are rent of the theatre space, rent of the storage facility, utilities for both spaces, and staff payroll. The board is committed to maintain payroll and benefits for all eight employees until at least May 29. These expenses total just shy of $28,000 each month. All other spending has been suspended until further notice.

Service Area: Hancock County, Illinois

Telehealth services were implemented on March 23 to begin seeing patients virtually as some of the rules and regulations for telehealth were recently lifted to help meet the need of patients seeking medical care. Even though this a great option, the clinics are finding that in the rural areas many clients do not have smart phones or services to be able to participate in telehealth visits.  Many clients are fearful to come in for routine lab work, blood pressure checks and other services. 

In an effort to meet the needs of patients with chronic illnesses that need monitoring in our area, the clinics are looking at placing a tent for nursing visits outside two of the buildings. I-Pads would allow all clinics to get consent for treatment and other necessary items completed curb-side. This would assist with keeping the most vulnerable populations safe and reduce fears for those who still need to be seen to manage their condition, but who are fearful to come into the building. 

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

The annual fundraiser in March, the Ben Bumbry Memorial Banquet, was cancelled due to the virus outbreak.  Ongoing maintenance and contractual obligations with the YMCA (which manages the pool) have caused the normally tenuous financial picture to become even more dismal. If the current health crisis improves, officials with the Jackson-Lincoln Swimming Complex  want to be poised to open and provide a much-needed oasis of supervised fun and activities to children and families in the northwest quadrant of Quincy, nearly all of whom are low income.

If the pandemic does not lessen and they're unable to open at all for the 2020 swim season, the perfect storm of no admission fees coming in, no 2020 fundraiser, and continuing costs for upkeep and insurance could be the end for the Jackson-Lincoln Swimming Complex.   

Service Area: Adams, Brown, Hancock and Pike County, Illinois; Clark, Lewis, Marion, Ralls, Pike, Knox, Shelby, and Monroe County, Missouri

The YMCA of Hannibal is providing emergency child care for medical professionals, first responders and other essential workers of the community at a time where schools are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.  This is offered to any surrounding county.  This emergency child care is open to children ages kindergarten through fifth grade.  Discounted pricing is offered to allow affordable costs for all.  Because this is a loss in revenue, the YMCA is seeking financial support. Total lost per week averages $650. In addition to loss by holding the emergency child care program, the YMCA of Hannibal is forecasted to lose up to $150,000 or more in program and membership revenue between March - June 2020.  

Service Area: Hancock County, Illinois

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted Sandburg students in a myriad of ways. The closure of all campuses - including Sandburg's Branch Campus in Carthage, IL - has eliminated student access to technology, internet, and food and supplies from Sandburg Resource Rooms. The Illinois shutdown of all "nonessential" businesses has cost hundreds of students their jobs and regular income. 

The Carl Sandburg College Foundation wants to provide emergency relief to each student in need. However, unprecedented demand is exhausting available funds. The Foundation's typical annual Crisis Grant fund is $5,200. A portion of this total is a $3,200 supplemental endowment that awards Crisis Grants exclusively to nursing students. Therefore, $2,000 in Crisis Grants is annually awarded to grantees from the rest of the student body. Students are typically granted a one-time award of $500. 

A COVID-19 Nonprofit Response Grant would provide emergency relief for Sandburg students facing financial crisis. The $2,500 would be awarded exclusively to Crisis Grant applicants in Hancock County. These funds would not only have a profound impact on Hancock County grantees, but would allow the existing pool of Crisis Grant funds to stretch further in order to meet our goal of awarding all students in need.  

Service Area: Hancock County, Illinois

Dallas Elementary School District 327 is currently providing both breakfast and lunch to over 120 students.  It seems as though they are adding to the total daily.  Officials are currently having to go door to door to deliver the meals as well as the students' school work.  The meals are costing approximately double what the regular meals cost. They're also having to purchase additional materials to package the meals for delivery.  Officials are incurring an additional amount of cost because of having to purchase extra gloves and masks for everyone as well as extra cleaning supplies.

Service Area: Brown, Hancock, Pike County, Illinois

The Mental  Health Centers of Western Illinois (MHCWI) is an essential health care provider and provides behavioral healthcare services in Brown, Hancock and Pike Counties.  Several of our direct service staff need access to a laptop to provide counseling, assessment, treatment planning, psychiatric, and support services via telehealth to individuals and families from home.  Currently some of our clinicians have laptops; however, several of our clinicians and direct service staff are still using a stationary computer.

Having a laptop would also provide clinical staff with direct access to the client's electronic medical record (EMR) through our agency's secured VPN tunnel.  Having immediate access to the client's EMR is essential to providing continuity of care and would provide staff with all medical and treatment information while engaging the client in off-site services.   

Service Area: Adams, Brown, Hancock,  Pike County, Illinois

Girl Scouts is uniquely poised to help girls and their families currently adapting to a new reality. With the Girl Scout Leadership Experience delivered virtually, girls served by Girl Scouts of Central Illinois (GSCI) can access self-guided, free activities to keep them engaged and connected to their communities and the larger sisterhood of girls. GSCI’s Girl Scout Leadership Experience - Virtual Programming includes age-appropriate, skill-based learning through weekly badge work, as well as livestreamed programming supporting STEM and life skill development, community service opportunities, and family and troop resources. The age-specific activities for girls of all grade levels engaged in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through virtual programming are delivered through guided videos, text-based instructions, and downloadable information, simplifying engagement for families as they incorporate developmental opportunities into their daily lives. In Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike counties, 622 area Girl Scouts currently have access to the ongoing personal benefits of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience through online resources deployed by GSCI.

As one component of this program, GSCI offers weekly online instruction towards achieving two, skills-based badges per age level. The content of all Girl Scout national proficiency badges have been correlated by grade level to national Common Core Standards, 21st Century Skills standards, Financial Literacy education standards, and curriculum such as Health and PE, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies learning objectives. Over two-thirds of the badge instruction currently offered virtually by GSCI also align directly with state curriculum standards, poising this program to assist girls and their families in bridging educational gaps stemming from current social distancing requirements. 

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

The Adams County Health Department tracks communicable deseases and does Emergency Preparedness for all of Adams County. With COVID-19 the department has increased its efforts in both of those programs. The Health Department is delivering tests to the Illinois Department of Public Helath Lab in Springfield on a daily basis, this allows us to get test results back sooner.  The Health Department will be asking for help with mileage for these trips. 

Emergency Preparedness is a program that  educates all of our residents on how to be prepared for any emergecency, but also works with closely with our  most  vulnerable  population in our Long Term Care facilities.  The Health Department makes sure these facilities are receiving the most current guidance on how to care for their residents, make sure their staff stays healthy and knows how to properly clean and disinfect the facility.  The Emerceny Preparedness Coordinator has found herself sending guidance and answering questions at odd hours of the day and on weeekends, making it necessary for her to work off-site.  The Health Department is asking for assistance in purchasing a surface-pro to make working off-site easier and more productive.

Service Area: Monroe County, Missouri

FaithWalk Ministry serves the underserved, low economic population in the Northeast Missouri region by providing food to economically challenged families. Due to COVID-19, organizers would like to provided additional nutritious food to  clients. The ministry normally serves once a month so donations have decreased dramactically.  In addition, the ministry will need to be ready for the increased demand for food because families will be out of work.

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

The Lutheran Church of St. John has operated a food pantry at its church for over 20 years. The pantry, prior to the Coronavirus pandemic, was providing food to 1200-1400 individuals per month.    The pantry experienced increased demand in March after school closings and the demand continues to increase in April.  Because school age children are now home for two meals Monday through Friday, the pantry is giving out more food to families than prior to the pandemic. 

A new system for distributing food to individuals and families has been implemented at increased cost in order to maintain compliance with the Coronavirus guidelines and restrictions on the size of gatherings.   

The church is not receiving as many cash donations for the food pantry on account of what is believed to be a result of the financial crisis caused by the shut down of some jobs because of Coronavirus restrictions.  However, the church is seeking and has received more food donations. Travel costs to obtain the donated food has increased. Better food prices are at the Central Illinois Food Bank.  However, the demand is greater on Central Illinois Food Bank so not as much food is available there. This has resulted in a greater cost of the purchased food. 

In addition to the additional food pantry costs for requesting the grant, the church would also like to have money available to assist needy people who approach the church requesting monetary assistance to pay electric and gas utility costs for their house or apartment.  Although the church previously had a fund, it has been totally depleted.  

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

Organizers believe that the display is entering its most important year ever. The stress and uncertainty of the current circumstances combined by the reality of likely prolonged social distancing after the ‘stay at home’ order is lifted, including what is likely to be extended CDC guidelines specific to limits on group events or crowds that will all but eliminate many large events for what is likely to be prolonged period of time means that a drive-through display just might serve as one of the very few events that families can be assured will still be allowed during this time of concern of transmission from one person to another.

Unfortunately, organizers are currently faced with unpredictable and unprecedented challenges to their annual strategic plan that will, in part, create limitations that they don't yet know the full effect or extent of. Organizers have paused  fundraising planning because of the uncertainty right now in not knowing what kind of size of events might be allowed and how soon. They are concerned about the stress that COVID-19 has had, is having and will have on the same small business in our community that either already have a history of, or otherwise might be willing to, serve as a sponsor to the Festival of Lights annual event, that they depend on to offset expenses.  

Service Area: Adams, Brown & Pike County, Illinois

Catholic Charities Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is offering a new free service for people called Catholic Charities COPE Line. The Catholic Charities COPE Line provides a Calming, Optimistic, Professional, and Empathetic ear to those experiencing situational stress and anxiety related to COVID-19. This service is offered to people living within the 28 counties of the Springfield Diocese. It is not formal therapy or an emergency hotline, rather a support line.  The caller will be referred to talk with a qualified Catholic Charities mental health professional who can offer support and help. The counselors of Quincy's Professional Counseling Solutions Program will cover calls received from Adams, Brown, and Pike Counties and coordinated efforts for Cass and Schuyler Counties. The goal of this service is to provide the people of our community, who are struggling mentally during this difficult time, a free, professional resource to talk to and discuss effective coping strategies for the situational stress and anxiety related to COVID-19.

Service Area: Adams, Hancock and Pike County, Illinois; Clark, Lewis, Marion, Knox and Shelby County, Missouri

St. Louis Public Radio (STLPR), a non-profit news organization, is requesting operating funds to help continue to provide the most accurate, timely and complete information about the COVID-19 pandemic to listeners in all service regions including the area served by WQUB Quincy 90.3 FM where our signal can reach 120,000 potential listeners.

WQUB Quincy 90.3 listeners in West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri provide about $46,000 in annual donations to St. Louis Public Radio.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 has also negatively impacted revenue. 

Service Area: Adams and Hancock County, Illnois

YWCA Quincy provides permanent supportive housing and case management support to individuals experiencing homelessness who also have disabilities or disabling conditions such as Substance Use Disorder, mental illness, HIV/AIDs, physical disabilities, and/or developmental disabilities. YWCA Quincy subsidizes housing for 22 households, 1 of which lives in Hancock County with the remaining 21 living in Adams County. 

Because of Covid-19, YWCA Quincy has had to cancel the largest fundraiser of the year which has lost over $17,000 in required match dollars.  YWCA Quincy is requesting $2,500 to ensure continuity of services; funding will be used to pay for utilities for the22 households in the Permanent Supportive Housing Program. Clients who were employed prior to the Illinois shelter-in-place order have experienced reduction or loss of employment, and are having difficulty accessing benefits and cash assistance, and therefore require utility assistance, which is not a covered item under YWCA Quincy’s other funding sources.

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

Cornerstone Foundations for Families is committed to making our services available, however due to COVID-19, they have seen a loss of $7,176.00 at the end of the first 4 weeks in revenue. With the Governor's extension of the shelter-in-place order through May 30th, they can reasonably anticipate a revenue loss of approximately $17,940 for a 10 week period. These numbers represent losses from the Psychiatric Services Program and Outpatient Counseling Program revenue, but does not include administrative costs that have been incurred by Cornerstone for trying to develop action plans for providers, develop and implement tracking of time and patient impacts. To-date the cost is estimated at $590.00. This cost is expected to increase and is estimated that additional administrative costs could reach approximately $2000.00 by the end of May with more time needing to be dedicated for computing the impact of COVID-19 on budgets and State Grant Programs. 

Despite these financial setbacks, officials continue to make the facility available to  in-person sessions under the social distancing guidelines. The website is updated so opening- paperwork can be completed remotely and they started to offer telephone and video therapy sessions. They anticipate losing revenue each month as long as the stay-at-home order is in place and possibly longer, depending on how people respond to the loosening of restrictions. Cornerstone also had to postpone their spring fundraiser due to COVID-19, which is one of two major fundraisers for the year. 

Service Area: Marion, Knox and Shelby County, Missouri

Bethel Community Center is in need of this grant because the organization runs on a very tight budget. They have not currently been able to generate funds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Money is normally generated  from community donation for use of the building and fundraisers to generate funds to operate on. The community center has ongoing expenses to keep the operation running even through they are unable to generate money through this time. 

The Bethel Community Center is an old school building that has been restored to better serve the needs of the community. The gym meets the needs of families and individuals of all ages wanting to play basketball or other activities for exercise. It also is highly utilized by the elderly as a place  to walk and get some much needed exercise, especially through the winter months. The Community Center is offered on a first come first serve basis with no charge for the use of the building. Organizers keep a calendar and a family or group is able to request a day to utilize the building by writing it on the calendar. They strive to offer the building regardless of ability to pay for the use. There are normally people that donate for the use but it is not a requirement. The Community Center is a registered Storm Shelter for Shelby County. They keep the doors unlocked for the convenience and safety of the Community. 

Some of the ongoing expenses include electric bill, water bill and insurance. Through this time, they have still kept the building available to the public provided that the restrictions and recommendations set forth by the state and federal guidelines are followed.Those restrictions, while necessary for public health have had a negative impact on the ability to keep the Community Center running long term. This grant would be a huge blessing to Shelby County and the surrounding area.

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

Do to the COVID-19 restrictions, Quincy Preserves has been unable to hold any fundraising events. Generally by this time of the year, they have held several events generating approximately $10-12,000. Current obligations include awarding two $1000 scholarships, $15000 façade grant, ongoing educational information and marketing. The fundraising goes back into the community by way of donations and grants to restore historic architecture. Any support can help to meet current obligations and weather the time until they are able to have some fund raising efforts. Quincy Preserves mission to foster the awareness and promote preservation of historic architecture in Quincy and Adams County is only driven by the funds generated though tours.

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

In response to the guidance and directives from federal, state and local authorities regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Quincy Art Center began canceling events on March 13, 2020. These cancelations including the much-anticipated opening of a touring Smithsonian Exhibition, 100 Faces of War. As the situation developed over the next few days, they closed doors to the public on March 18.

This prompted the cancellation of Spring art classes, cancellation of the remaining smART Kid in-person classes for the 2019-2020 school year, closure of the onsite gallery and two off-site galleries, postponement of the scheduled Spring exhibition, and disrupted ongoing fundraising activities, most specifically the Annual Campaign, which was scheduled to kick off on March 13.

Officials estimate that they stand to lose $57,195.40 of budgeted revenue for the year. The Art Center is also anticipating that this emergency will have a negative effect on future fundraising efforts around the Fall ArtFest event and the winter fundraiser, Beaux Arts Ball.

Service Area: Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike County, Illinois

The Advocacy Network for Children modified the  office building to allow advocates sole occupancy office space and thus allow for proper distancing for children and their non-offending caregivers for services including forensic interviewing, crisis counseling, assessment and referral for mental health and medical care.  The modifications allow for staff to be present and safe while services are being conducted.  Prior to the modifications, limited numbers of staff and agency partners (law enforcement, counselors, DCFS investigative staff) would be able to be present.

Service Area: Shelby County, Missouri

Organizers are seeking funds to cover some unexpected expenses due to Covid 19. The Fest Hall Restaurant that operates under the umbrella of Historic Bethel German Colony, a 501C3, has taken a severe hit with the closings and then carry out only.  Within the last week, the restaurant has opened but with mandated restrictions and the normal noon crowds of 80 to 130 has dwindled to 40. One of the extra expenses has been the paper products for carry out only, and one use only throw away menues. Another big hurdle is the disinfecting of chairs, tables, highchairs, bathrooms, etc.  Not all of the surfaces can be disinfected such as cloth chairs and highchairs with  padded liners. So even though the restaurant can be open with restrictions, it is more limited because of the furnishings. The success of this proposal would allow the purchase of new tables, chairs, and highchairs which can be wiped down and disinfected. The unrecoverable expense of to go paper products has been high, too. An additional $250 a week for 10 weeks has made a big impact on the budget. 

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

The United Methodist Church of Loraine is the only church in a rural community of approximately 300 residents. It is an active presence in the community, providing support and relief through local missions. The congregation is comprised of many elderly who are most "at risk" during this pandemic. The church has complied with all health safety recommendations and has adapted its services to continue to meet the needs of the community. Through the use of technology, services have been recorded and made available online and on DVD, enabling the congregation to remain active and engaged. However, in order to do so, additional equipment has had to be purchased. Children's ministry materials have had to be mailed in the form of lesson packets. Fundraisers for missions have had to be cancelled along with other community events coupled with a decreased ability to collect weekly offerings for outreach and operating costs. 

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

The funds requested from this grant will purchase a RP 241 Compact Press Tool for the Good Samaritan Home maintenance department. The visitor restrictions associated with COVID-19 have greatly increased internal maintenance demand since outside services and visitors are not allowed in the facility at this time. The RP 241 Compact Press Tool is used for pipe crimping and will help the  maintenance department decrease the time it takes to finish a plumbing job by 50%. 

Since the  maintenance department services both on-campus and cottage residents, approximately 350 residents over the age of 55 will be directly impacted by the benefits of the RP 241 Compact Press Tool. Even after restrictions are lifted, the tool will allow the maintenance department to exhibit quicker response times and internal services. The tool will also allow the maintenance department to address piping issues more effectively, efficiently, and without the need for assistance from outside plumbing contractors for minor jobs. 

Service Area: Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike County, Illinois; Lewis, Marion, and Ralls County, Missouri

Jensen Camp Foundation (JCF) owns and operates Jensen Woods Camp, a 550 acre nondenominational Christian camp in Brown County, IL. JCF provides low cost to no cost camp activities which nurture spiritual development. Because of COVID-19, JCF was forced to cancel all activities/fundraisers on and off site from March through May, 2020. This greatly reduced income, though operating expenses continued. Now is the time when supportive services are needed by the widest number of the population, especially children. 

Service Area: Clark County, Missouri

The mission at Clark County Council on Aging- Senior Nutrition Center is to provide well balanced- hot home cooked meals to the Senior population 60 years of age and older. This also includes the spouse and/or caregiver of an age eligible Senior. The goal is to provide these meals at little or no cost to clients. Organizers cater hot meals to home bound residents, as well as dine in services and social activities for mobile clients. 

They currently average 60-70 meals a day, this has been impacted greatly by COVID-19, and has forced Clark County Council on Aging to make changes to be in compliance with the changing regulations. With the direct hit from the extended closure the numbers of meals have also been hit hard, and the prices of supplies, and food have taken a huge toll on the Center.

Service Area: Adams County, Illinois

Our organization is requesting $2,500 for food and hygiene and clothing for children in need in our community.  Many low income families have lost jobs and have had work hours reduced because of COVID-19.  The need for food and hygiene items for the families we serve has greatly increased.  We want to be able to continue to serve families daily and this grant will help meet these needs.

Service Area: Shelby County, Missouri

No Child Left Hungry - Grab and Go Lunches.  Communities Taking Action in Shelbyville have been partnering with Douglas Community Center, University Extension Center and USDA to leave no child hungry.  The Shelbyville site has been serving approximately fifty to sixty children between the ages of 0 to 18 years free summer lunches and snacks after COVID-19 hit.  The number served started at 20 lunches/snacks the last week of May and has increased to 63 children receiving lunches on some days in June.  One refrigerator went down and the back up refrigerator is on its last leg.  They are having to ask to use other refrigerators at various other locations other than the feeding location which have not been certified. This requires the volunteers to transport meals and milk from various locations to the pick up location. Organizers  would like to purchase two  new energy efficient refrigerators to use for this endeavor.  An emergency Food Pantry has been set up in the breezeway at the Communities Taking Action/Teen Center building using borrowed shelving on either side of the doorway with a variety of donated non perishables for families facing emergency food shortages. 

Service Area: Adams and Pike County, Illinois; Clark, Lewis, Marion, Ralls, Pike, Knox, Shelby and Monroe County, Missouri

Hannibal Regional Healthcare System is dedicated to leading, supporting and encouraging excellence in health, especially during times of crisis.  The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for this community which directly impacted local cancer patients. Hannibal Regional's Life.Light.Hope Fund provides assistance for many local cancer patients and is supported in large part by multiple community events throughout the year. Numerous area schools' sports teams host cancer awareness games, and other community groups host special events to raise funds to help local residents in their fight against cancer. Because of social restrictions put in place due to COVID-19, several of these events were canceled and have resulted in the loss of over $20,000 to this fund. When fewer funds are available for distribution, many of these patients delay their cancer treatments and care which can lead to rapidly deteriorating health. Much needed items such as nutritional supplements, cold caps and lymphedema sleeves are things which help improve treatment for these patients and are greatly appreciated by them. Gift cards are also distributed to patients and can be used to purchase gas so they can get to their appointments as well as prescription medications. Hannibal Regional is requesting funds to enable continued access to these vital resources for cancer patients throughout our region.