Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day marks heightened struggle as coronavirus pandemic continues
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Salvation Army of Mid-Missouri is holding candlelight vigils in Columbia and Jefferson City on Tuesday to remember people who have died while facing homelessness.
The vigil is part of National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day, which takes place yearly on the night of the winter solstice -- the longest night of the year.
The community event will feature speakers including local leaders in the homeless services community and those who have lost friends and family struggling with homelessness. Comments will be followed by a vigil to reflect on those who have lost their lives. The vigils are set for 5 and 6 p.m.
Columbia's vigil will be held at The Salvation Army Harbor House, 602 N. Ann St. Jefferson City's will be located at The Salvation Army Center of Hope, 927 Jefferson St.
Homelessness has been a growing problem for decades, and the COVID-19 pandemic struck the homeless population and many people on the brink of homelessness hard.
In seasons with extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, many people in the homeless population lose their lives.
According to World Population Review, 6,179 people are experiencing homelessness in Missouri.
According to the 2020 Missouri Balance of State point-in-time count, which surveys the homeless population, there were 376 unsheltered and 310 sheltered homeless people in Boone County. Because of the pandemic, there was no point in time count for 2021.
Unsheltered homelessness includes an individual or family who lacks a regular and adequate sleeping place. Sheltered homelessness includes an individual or family in emergency shelters and transitional housing projects.
In 2021 The Salvation Army in Columbia served 320 unsheltered individuals, and Jefferson City's division served 160 homeless people.
In Columbia, the Salvation Army Harbor House is open 24 hours a day each day to assist those in need and provides a wide range of services including food, clothing and shelter.
Sean Spence, a spokesman for the Salvation Army of Mid-Missouri, said although there are programs to help homeless people in the two cities, many programs are running out of resources amid the pandemic.
"All sorts of great programs but we're all strained almost at our breaking point," Spence said. "Every single one of them is basically serving at their limit, and we're all looking for more money and we're all running out of pots of money, it's a really hard time."
Spence said evictions in Mid-Missouri are increasing as COVID restrictions are lifted.
Homeless Persons' Memorial Day is a national day established in 1990, with events and activities planned in more than 300 cities.
