United Way Grants Help Community Programs

The United Way of the Mark Twain Area launched its COVID-19 Response Fund in March of 2020 as the global pandemic was on the horizon and much uncertainty was to follow.

Through the fund, the United Way raised nearly $200,000 to assist with special projects and to financially assist area organizations with their needs due to the pandemic.
Most recently, the Toys for Tots Program coordinated locally by Douglass Community Services received a $2,000 grant from the fund. This year many of the fundraisers that raise dollars for Toys for Tots had to be cancelled because of the pandemic.

Additionally, the organization has seen an increase in the number of families turning to the organization for help. This year there will be over 200 more children benefiting from the program than in 2019. The program serves children in Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Ralls, Shelby, and Pike Counties.
“We are so grateful for this donation,” said Stacey Nicholas, Director of Community Outreach Initiatives at Douglass Community Services who oversees the Toys for Tots Program locally. “Because of the economic situation created by COVID-19, many families in Northeast Missouri are struggling for Christmas. This grant will help us serve the 1,600 children who will benefit from the Toys for Tots Program this year.”

To date thirty area organizations have received funding from the United Way’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Those organizations include the Andre Sheard Foundation, AVENUES, Bethel Food Pantry, Birthday Blessings, Center Community Food Pantry, Monroe County Christmas is Caring, Douglass Community Services Food Programs, Toys for Tots at United Way of the Mark Twain Area 3062 Highway 61 North P.O. Box 81 Hannibal, MO 63401 573-221-2761 www.unitedwaymta.org Douglass Community Services, Head Start at Douglass Community Services, FACT, Faith Walk Food Pantry, Forget Me Not Senior Center, Hannibal Free Clinic, Hannibal Nutrition Center, Hannibal Regional Auxiliary, Hannibal Regional Foundation, Harvest Outreach, HAYS, Heartland Resources, Learning Opportunities/Quality Works, Lewis County Food Pantry, Monroe City Food Pantry, Monroe City Senior Nutrition Center, Palmyra Area Food Pantry, Paris Senior Center, Salvation Army of Hannibal, The Child Center, TriCounty Alliance, Turning Point, and YMCA of Hannibal.
Every dollar collected by the United Way of the Mark Twain Area for through the COVID19 Response Fund has been utilized to benefit individuals in the local area. Dollars from the fund also helped assemble senior care bags and pay for the processing of 225 hogs donated by JBS Pork.

There are still dollars available through this fund for area non-profit organizations facing a hardship due to the pandemic. Organizations can apply for funds by visiting https://unitedwaymta.org/special-initiatives

The United Way of the Mark Twain Area works towards the mission, “to increase the capacity of people to care for one another.” This is done by creating opportunities for individuals to give of their time, talents, and treasures to local organizations that work to empower all individuals to achieve their potential through education, financial stability, and healthy lives