(WARRENSBURG, Mo.) – Volunteers from Johnson County Cares will be at various churches, thrift stores and public service agencies throughout the county Wednesday to gather information about people who are homeless.
The purpose of the project is to have as accurate a count as possible of the number of unsheltered individuals and families in the county at one particular point in time so that funding can be fairly distributed to local agencies who serve homeless and financially struggling members of our community, according to a news release.
The homeless count is scheduled to take place in every county in the state on the same day and is sponsored by the Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness, under the Missouri Housing Development Commission.
Volunteers will collect basic and non-personally identifiable information about individuals and families regarding their status as homeless or unsheltered. Individuals who are staying with a friend or family member are also encouraged to speak with a volunteer. This information will help reflect the degree of the county’s need for more affordable housing, according to the news release.
Hygiene kits and snack kits will be available at each location.
In Warrensburg, agency staff will be available to talk with homeless individuals and families at the Missouri Valley Community Action Agency, 124 N. Holden St., from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; and the two Pathways Community Health locations, 204 E. Market St. and 703 N. Devasher Rd., from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
The locations around Johnson County and hours they will be staffed are:
- Chilhowee: Chilhowee Grocery, corner of Pennsylvania and Walnut, 1:30-5:30 p.m.
- Holden: Hope Thrift Center, 117 W. Second St., 1-5 p.m.
- Kingsville: Community of Christ Church, Oak Street, 1-3 p.m.
- Knob Noster: The Olive Branch, 106 W. McPherson, 1-5 p.m.
- Leeton: City Hall, 108 W. Summerfield Ave., 8-11 a.m.
- Pittsville: Pittsville Community Kitchen, 372 N.W. Route 131, 1-4 p.m.
For more information, contact the project co-coordinator, Suzy Latare, at 660-864-1387 or [email protected], or visit www.mo-ich.org/14.html.
