Local Catholic Charities agency launches online portal for relief efforts

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Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri (CCCNMO), the charitable services arm of the Diocese of Jefferson City, has opened an online request form for residents of the 38 counties of the diocese seeking assistance with COVID-19 (coronavirus)-related needs.

The online request portal, located on the Catholic Charities website at  cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/covid-19, asks those seeking assistance to enter basic demographic details and contact information, as well as a description of their COVID-19-related need.

They are also prompted to select if their need is financial or volunteer related, such as needing assistance with obtaining groceries or needed medical supplies while quarantined.

LeAnn Korsmeyer, diocesan director of parish and charitable services, noted that the diocese has been actively recruiting volunteers throughout the diocese who are eager to assist people in need in their local communities.

“Catholic Charities will take the requests that come in and filter them to their local volunteer group appropriately,” she said. “Our goal in this response is truly to be ‘Better Together’ and enable acts of charity and mercy during this time of crisis.”

Bishop W. Shawn Mc­Knight said he’s inspired by the outpouring of offers to help people affected by the coronavirus and to assist with efforts to mitigate its rapid spread.

“This online portal will allow our Catholic Charities personnel to provide effective and safe assistance to the most vulnerable in our communities in their time of greatest need,” the bishop stated.

CCCNMO provides a range of programs and services to those in need in to a 38-county service area regardless of faith, culture or situation.

Programs include disaster services, food and nutrition services, refugee and immigration services, housing and financial counseling, and social ministries.

CCCNMO Executive Director Dan Lester said Catholic Charities’ mission of “Providing Care and Creating Hope” is as important now as it has ever been.

“Our experience responding to floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters has prepared us as an agency to step up to the plate and assist with this new response, relief, and recovery effort,” he said.

Residents who cannot access the internet can also request assistance through Catholic Charities via phone at (573) 635-7719.

Catholic Charities has also established a COVID-19 relief fund to help those in need.

Those interested in supporting these efforts may do so at cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/give.

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