Helping Our Community

HLPOZK_WebBanner

Donations Needed     Help The Homeless     Senior Assistance     Internet Access

Help our OZARKS Community

These are unprecedented times for our community, state, nation, and world. Each day we are waking up to new challenges most of us never thought possible.

We believe our citizens are committed to helping each other through this. We are proud to live in a community that cares for each other and demonstrates what it means to be a neighbor in good times, but especially when storm clouds gather. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, or the next week, or the next. But we do know that by working together and helping each other, we can get through this better than most.
Use the below resources and connections that make helping those in need an easier task. 

Show your commitment to each other by signing the Help Ozarks Pledge.

HLPOZK_NonprofitListLink_sq

DONATE

  • Community Foundation of the Ozarks has opened a COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to accept donations to support nonprofits affected by distruptions due to the outbreak. Make your online donation to the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

  • Ozark Food Harvest is working with their network of hunger-relief partners to continue providing food to their service area and currently working on plans to increase and change operations to meet the growing need. The community can help through donations and volunteering. Visit https://ozarksfoodharvest.org/coronavirus-update/

  • Community Blood Center of the Ozarks has had many blood drive cancelations and are predicting a decline in donations. Please visit www.cbco.org to find hours and locations for local donation centers.

  • Springfield Discovery Center is accepting donations to help provide a childcare option for healthcare workers. Visit discoverycenter.org/corona to register a child and to donate. 

  • Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield is offering food distribution opportunities for BGCS families.  
    To learn more and donate visit https://www.bgclubspringfield.org/coronavirus

  • Care to Learn is working with partners throughout the community to continue to provide food, clothing and hygiene resources to students. Visit www.caretolearn.org/donate to support.

Help the homeless

  • The Connecting Grounds Church at 1109 E. Commercial St.
    This is one of two locations where homeless people can pick up a to-go meal at 5 p.m.
    Current needs: backpacks, blankets, cases of water, snack food items, Hot Hands and hand sanitizer.
    Donations can be dropped off 3-6 p.m. daily.

  • The Veterans Coming Home Center at 806 N. Jefferson Ave.
    Serves as a daytime drop-in center for the homeless community. This is also where people can pick up a to-go breakfast.
    Current needs: food (bread, non-perishables, bottled water), hygiene items, cleaning supplies, umbrellas, backpacks, and men’s and women’ clothes (all sizes).
    Donations can be dropped off 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

  • Safe to Sleep at 627 N Glenstone Ave
    An overnight shelter for homeless women.
    Current needs: In order to operate, the shelter needs two volunteers who can spend the night.
    The volunteers take turns sleeping and are there 7 p.m. to 8 a.m.
    Because of the CDC’s recommendations about who is at the highest risk, Safe to Sleep has lost at least a third of its regular volunteers. If you are interested in learning about this volunteer opportunity, email [email protected].

  • The Rare Breed Youth Outreach Center at 301 N. Main Ave.
    Offers services for homeless and at-risk youths ages 13 to 24. It is operated by The Kitchen, Inc.
    Current food needs: Meal donations need to be 40 brown bag dinners consisting of:
    No microwavable or refrigerated meals. These usually include things like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit/veggies (fresh or cup), chips, beef jerky, single serve tuna with crackers, trail mix, Vienna sausages (pop-top cans).
    Food Donations can be dropped off from 3:30-4 p.m. weekdays.

    Current other needs: antibacterial hand gel, disinfecting wipes, daily multi-vitamins, socks, clothing, coats and sleeping bags.
    The Rare Breed is especially low on sleeping bags and socks right now, said Stefanie Nentrup, Community Development Coordinator. Socks must be new and still in the package.
    Donations can be "door dropped off" at the Donation Center, 420 E. Pacific St., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
    To learn more or donate to The Rare Breed, visit thekitcheninc.org.

HELP SENIORS

  • Senior Age is providing meals and support to seniors
    Opportunities to access services and to donate/volunteer can be found at senioragemo.org or call 417-890-1313.
    Current needs: Donations of toilet paper, clorox wipes and other cleaning supplies as well as non-parishable food items can be dropped off at the Southside Senior Center (2215 S Fremont Ave).
    Volunteer: Volunteers are needed for meal delivery. Protocols are in place to eliminate cross-exchange for the protection of both seniors and delivery individuals.

Stay connected while remote

Springfield-Greene County Library District

Internet access is available on the parking lots of the Springfield-Greene County Library District branches where possible.
That includes the Library Express West, on Orchard Plaza parking lot. The Library has extended it to 24 hours a day during the "stay-at-home" order.


FCC agreement stating that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hot-spots.

  • Comcast COVID-19
    Offering free Wi-Fi for 2 months to low income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time.

  • Charter 
    Free Internet offer for 2 months.

  • AT&T  
    Offering open hot-spots, unlimited data (to existing customers), and $10/month plans to low income familiesFree Internet offer for 2 months .

  • Sprint 
    Will provide unlimited data (to existing customers)  , and allowing all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no additional charge .

  • T-Mobile
    Will provide unlimited data (to existing customers)  , and allowing all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no additional charge .

  • Verizon 
    Will be following the FCC agreement, but is currently offering no specials.