McCOOK, Neb. -- As the Coronavirus pandemic began, the Red Willow County Ministerial Association knew some members of the community would have a hard time meeting the basic need of housing, so a new local program was created.
A housing/utility assistance program is being coordinated through the McCook office of the Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska.
The program is partially funded with a $20,000 grant from the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s COVID-19 Response Account, created to address issues specific to the crisis. Additional funding from the Sherwood Foundation has also been directed toward the program.
The program is a great example of collaboration between organizations in the community who are working to support those facing economic challenges during this pandemic, MCF Fund Advisory Committee member Peggy Been said. “These organizations have created a safety net for those who are on the edge of losing their housing or shutting off utilities because of the crisis,” she said.
Tenants and mortgage holders who are unable to make rent or mortgage payments due to being laid off or losing hours at work because of the pandemic are eligible for assistance from Community Action Partnership. If a person or family qualifies, payments are distributed directly to the landlord, lending institution or utility provider on the resident’s behalf.
Qualifications include:
• Must be from McCook or Red Willow County
• Be under the 200 percent income guidelines
• Show verification of loss of income (ex. pay-stubs, letter from employer, confirmation of applying for unemployment, or provide a phone number to employer so loss of income can be verified)
• Provide a copy of Social security card and/or ID card
• And provide a copy of disconnect bill or eviction letter.
Those needing assistance can contact the local Community Action Partnership office at (308) 345-1187 or email, aayala@mnca.net.
Community Service Coordinator Araceli Santos-Ayala asked those in need to leave their name, number and a brief message on what type of assistance they need. Almost all the information may be provided over the phone with proof of need provided via email or fax.
The housing/utility assistance grant was one of the first provided by the McCook Community Foundation Fund because of the importance of housing in the community.
“When something as unforeseen as the coronavirus hits our community, we cannot stand by and watch hardworking families struggle to make rent or mortgage payments or choose between paying utilities and buying food,” Been said, who also serves as secretary for the fund advisory committee.
“We hope the grants funded by McCook Community Foundation Fund and coordinated through the Mid-Nebraska Community Partnership Program will ease the anxiety and stress within our community.”
MCFF continues to accept grant applications from the COVID-19 Response Account on an on-going basis. Application forms, along with other grant recipients, can be found on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org
McCook Community Foundation Fund is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.
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Building Connections in McCook Matters June in McCook will be abuzz with fun events including a Youth Summit, hosted by McCook Community Foundation Fund. Our young people in Youth Change Reaction will host the first Nebraska Community Foundation gathering for youth, which will bring youth from across Nebraska to McCook. While still in the planning stages, our students identified that McCook is great because of connections . Our young people easily recognize how critical this factor is to people attraction, to people retention, and to improve their futures. What I miss most about my high school classroom is connections with students and colleagues. In education, I taught first, second, and sometimes third generations in families. My husband, Greg, and I are not McCook natives, but I eventually knew who was related to whom and usually where the parent(s) were employed. Going to the grocery store meant greetings from students and sometimes their family members. I officially retired from my high school classroom nine years ago in May. When you retire, the most-asked question becomes “What do you do with your time?” I try to maintain those connections and make new ones by belonging. For the past seven years, Sharon Bohling and I have volunteered to help plan and organize Bison Days for our high school students, which took place February 10 and 11. It would not happen without the financial support of McCook Community Foundation Fund, plus the McCook High School, local businesses, and the talented people of Southwest Nebraska who say “yes” when one of us reaches out to ask for the donation of time and talent. I would venture that they allow us to be on the Bison Days’ committee because we both have connections within our community—it’s certainly not our computer savvy. Connections can also solve a problem. Recently, I signed up to help a local family in crisis. My morning plan revolved around delivering my donation at a designated drop-off place. That didn’t work out. Fortunately, I still work with youth in various capacities, so I know that Keri Wilkinson works for Camy Bradley. Keri was an organizer for the family fundraiser, so I walked in Camy’s office hoping to find Keri. She was not there, so Camy and I visited briefly. She knew someone (who I did not know) who could possibly give me further direction. Only in a town with connections are you able to interrupt someone’s business, have her reach out for you using her connections , and offer to keep the donations for me until Keri’s return. Another great example of connecting can be found over coffee. Dee Friehe and I are longtime teacher friends. During a chance meeting at the grocery store a few weeks ago, she shared how she was there following a funeral service and was gathering supplies to deliver supper to the grieving family that night. She also updated me on her group of adults who meet for coffee on Thursdays at Ember’s, which varies from 8-28 depending on the day. She recognized the need for adults moving to McCook or folks just wanting to get out to make connections . Dee’s husband, Mark, also hosts his own group of men who are new(er) to McCook. She regaled me with stories of their Christmas party and other special gatherings. Wanting to call McCook your home is solidified by building connections . Ronda Graff has written about McCook Connects which matches a McCook person with someone new to the community of similar interests. I earned my McCook Connects’ T-shirt welcoming a young family with children. We have since spent many hot summer days sitting on bleachers together cheering on our 4-H horse kids while they show their horses. Warning: I connected them with a “free” new-to-them horse. Be careful connecting with me or you’ll probably own a horse. You do not have to be retired to connect in this community. Volunteering is a surefire way to meet people. McCook has many civic groups looking for new faces. Attend a church here; we have many welcoming congregations. Go to ball games or school concerts, attend concerts in the park, learn a new skill through the college, show up at a Third Thursday event or invite the neighbors for a BBQ. Take your youngsters to story hour or Move and Groove at the library. Go watch an event at the Kiplinger Arena. You can even take it a step further: Make a friend or call a friend and invite him/her to go with you. It is human connection that keeps us healthy and happy. If McCook Community Foundation Fund can help you connect in some meaningful way, please reach out for advice or support. *** While Pam Wolford may be retired, she is just as busy serving on the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee and started a new Learn and Return Scholarship with MCFF, while stepping up to grandparent whenever the call comes in.
