Heart of Missouri United Way Announced Health & Basic Needs Impact Investments | |
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Heart of Missouri United Way hosted its annual LIVE UNITED Day on Thursday, November 16 in the City Council chambers at City Hall. We celebrated the graduation of Give 5 – Cohort 5 and announced the Health & Basic Needs impact investment grants for 2024-2026.
There are 15 health and basic needs programs at 14 partner organizations that are recipients of these funds... Read more...
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Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week | |
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Every year, people across the country come together to raise awareness of the problems surrounding hunger and homelessness. You can participate in raising awareness by volunteering at a local organization, attending an educational session, or donating to an organization that serves these populations.
Though Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is November 11-18, we are committed to serving these populations year-round. See how Heart of Missouri United Way is supporting our community's most vulnerable in the stories below.
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Reducing Food Insecurity in Our Community | |
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In Boone County, 12% of our community lacks adequate access to food. This leaves many of our neighbors not knowing where their next meal is coming from, skipping meals, and missing out on healthy options due to affordability or accessibility. Food insecurity is a pervasive, structural problem that’s intertwined with poverty, wage stagnation, education opportunities, healthcare access, and transportation.
Multiple studies show that people living on lower incomes experience higher levels of obesity, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues. A lack of healthy food can harm a child’s physical and mental health, academic achievement, and future economic prosperity. Food-insecure children may experience delayed development, an increased risk of chronic illness, and behavioral problems like hyperactivity and anxiety.
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Helping our Homeless Neighbors Prepare for Winter | |
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Paytient recently put together hundreds of wellness kits for the unhoused in our community. We are so grateful for the companies that sponsor and pack these kits to be distributed to our agency partners and our community's most vulnerable.
Thank you for all you do!
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Agency Spotlight:
Turning Point at Wilkes Blvd
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Turning Point at Wilkes Blvd has a Day Services Center funded through our Health and Basic Needs impact investment. This program provides inclement weather shelter and support services for people experiencing homelessness. The drop-in center meets basic needs, including access to showers, hygiene products, laundry services, mail services, personal storage, phones, computers, and the internet with positive regard for the dignity and worth of each human. | |
Mission: to promote and restore dignity and hope among Columbians who are facing the possibility of housing crisis or who are currently experiencing homelessness. | | |
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If you need help – for anything from daycare to rental assistance – your local 2-1-1 is here.
Dial 2-1-1* to speak to a trained professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TTY (1.866.385.6525) and multilingual services are also available.
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Support United Way through CoMo Gives
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Heart of Missouri United Way supports 1 in 5 individuals in our community. Join us to ensure everyone has an opportunity to lead a healthy life by donating through our CoMo Gives campaign.
Donating to United Way through CoMo Gives is a triple win!
Win #1: All gifts to United Way up to $2,500 are matched.
Win #2: Gifts over $100 to United Way are entered to win a private suite at a Mizzou Men's basketball game in January.
Win #3: Our community is supported!
Donations through CoMo Gives begin 11/28 through the link below.
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Join the Fight for Literacy | |
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Mizzou Men’s Basketball has partnered with Coaching for Literacy to benefit Reach Across Columbia, a Heart of Missouri United Way program aimed to help remove barriers to literacy.
The Fight for Literacy game was on Sunday, November 19 at Mizzou Arena. United Way accepted donations of new or gently used books for kids in elementary school at the Fight for Literacy Game. We collected over 1,000 books and received over $600 in donations. Thank you for your support!
To join the #FightforLiteracy, you can donate to the Read Across Columbia program at: https://www.uwheartmo.org/coaching-for-literacy/
International Paper will match donations to the Read Across Columbia program through the online site for up to $5,000! A check was presented to Heart of Missouri United Way leadership for Read Across Columbia at halftime of the November 19 game.
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Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association: Respite Volunteer, Columbia Area
The Columbia Area Respite Volunteers will work with our Columbia Respite team to assist them in providing incredible experiences for foster and adoptive youth in the eight-county region. You'll attend events such as: arcades, waterparks, pumpkin patches, art centers, skating rinks and more! Meals and admission are always provided for volunteers.
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Aging Best: Meal Delivery Driver
We are seeking friendly and energetic volunteers to deliver meals one day each week to homebound senior citizens. This is a long-term volunteer position that would be delivering the same route each week.
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Boys & Girls Club of Columbia: Program Helper- Partial Day
During Columbia Public School's teacher in-service days, the Boys & Girls Club of Columbia is a safe haven for kiddos to learn, grow, and be! On these special days, Club is open all day, 8am-5pm, to over 100 youth (ages 6-18). With so many kiddos, we need all the help we can get on these long program days!
You can play kickball or play a board game with youth. You can bring a book and read to them - or have them read to you!
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Columbia community joins forces to improve Black students' literacy proficiency
Organizations in Columbia are working together to improve the racial disparity in early grade literacy. Read more.
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Mizzou Lives United
MU hosted the Mizzou Lives United Rally on Nov. 2. Faculty staff, students and retirees donated items to local agencies, heard from leaders and got to mingle with Truman. Sponsored by the Panhellenic Association, the event brought in nearly 1,000 items worth more than $6,000. Read more.
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Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones! We are so thankful for you and your support of Heart of Missouri United Way. We could not accomplish all we do without your support!
Our offices will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Please call 2-1-1 if you need immediate assistance with accessing services.
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CoMo Gives
November 28 - December 31
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Heart of Missouri United Way invests in programs at nonprofit organizations in the impact areas of health and basic needs, education, and financial stability. Our investments reach individuals and families in Boone, Cooper, and Howard Counties. Donate today to make an impact in our community. | |
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