Assistance programs ramp up as pandemic multiplies hardships

COLUMBIA, Mo (KMIZ)

Missourians unemployed because of the coronavirus pandemic could soon lose their extended benefits unless a new federal stimulus package wins approval this month.

It's just one of many factors leading to an increase in demand for charitable services. The end of those benefits could exacerbate the need for financial help many households are feeling as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Pandemic unemployment assistance benefits through the CARES Act will end Dec. 26. This extension allowed workers who were unemployed because of COVID-19 to get 39 weeks of unemployment, instead of the usual 20 weeks.

This means some Missourians will be losing unemployment benefits right at the end of the year, pushing more people to request assistance from different agencies. 

Items will be distributed in one of Columbia's major assistance programs this week. The Voluntary Action Center is having its 37th annual holiday program to provide gifts and donations for local families. 

VAC is serving 960 families this year compared to 952 families last year.

The executive director, Nick Foster, said they have been struggling to keep up with the amount of calls for help this holiday season.

"Our phone lines are jammed, we are really struggling to answer all of those calls, and its more than I have ever seen at the nine years I have been at VAC," he said.

The process looks different this year because of the pandemic, as well. Heather Stewart, the director of development for VAC, said many of the gifts this year will be cash or gift card donations for safety reasons. 

Gifts can also include clothing, toys, hygiene products and vouchers for holiday meals.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also caused Room at the Inn, a shelter for people to sleep at during the winter, to have two different locations this year.

The main "mass care" shelter site will provide a warm and safe place for families and individuals to sleep in, holding 33 people.

The second location will provide shelter for those in isolation or quarantine, as well as beds for medically at-risk guests.