The novel coronavirus is disrupting our daily lives in many ways. Though our physical locations are temporarily closed, the Christian County library remains an online source of information and we want you to know that we care about our community members.
In an effort to organize the many resources, we’ve compiled a list of area businesses and organizations providing food and other resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources are available thanks to a combination of local and state government programs, non-profit agencies, service providers, faith-based organizations, and many more.
We will work to continually update this information as more opportunities come online or additional needs arise. Please note, this list is not comprehensive but intended to quickly connect you with tools for addressing immediate needs. These resources span both Christian Greene Counties, but all are giving to those in need and accepting donations from those who can give back. As neighbors, family members, patrons, and friends, we must all do our part to support one another during this difficult time.
If you have questions about COVID-19 the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services offers a 24-hour hotline to speak with a representative: 877-435-8411. For local updates and information about cases in Christian County visit Christian County Health Department.
LOCAL RESOURCES
Care to Learn, Nixa (Nixa, MO)
Providing weekend food bags to children via the delivery bus. Will accept donations and volunteers.
For Facebook updates visit: https://www.facebook.com/CaretoLearnNixa/
Phone: 417-724-3592
Email: anniezimmerman@nixaschools.net
Address: 301 South Main St, Nixa, MO 65714
Nixa Public Schools (Nixa, MO)
Providing breakfast and lunch pick-ups for everyone in the community and their households, starting Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Everyone (including those who signed up when the meals were for NPS students only) must complete this new form to enroll. Once enrolled you will receive an email and text with instructions of the day, time, and location meals can be picked up.
For Facebook updates visit: https://www.facebook.com/nixapublicschools/
Nixa Area Shopping, Dining, & Church Resource Guide (Nixa & Ozark, MO)
A detailed list of all types of services available at area restaurants, stores, and houses of worship.
Ozark Public Schools (Ozark, MO)
Providing free breakfast and lunch to any child ages 2-18 while Ozark Public Schools are closed through April 24, 2020. Must register in advance with this form. Grab and go pickup will take place at West Elementary and South Elementary from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (lunch for that day and breakfast for the following day). If you are unable to pick up at one of the locations, please indicate this while registering.
For Facebook updates visit: https://www.facebook.com/ozarkschooldistrict/
Least of These Food Pantry (Ozark, MO)
Scheduled drive-thru food pick-up appointments. Must complete phone application prior to receiving food. Will accept monetary and food donations, but not clothing or plastic bags.
Phone: 417-724-2500
Email: info@leastofthesefoodpantry.org
Address: 1720 James River Road, Ozark, MO 65721, USA
Clever Public Schools (Clever, MO)
Providing free Grab-N-Go Meals for all persons 18 years old and younger. Available in the Elemiddle bus lane between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday – Friday (please enter the bus lane from Inman Street).
For Facebook updates visit:https://www.facebook.com/cleverbluejays/
Life360 Church, Chesterfield (Springfield, MO)
Providing free daily food pickup for children 18 years old and younger (while supplies last) from 12 p.m. till 3 p.m. Currently accepting volunteers.
For Facebook updates visit: https://www.facebook.com/Life360Chesterfield/
Phone: 417- 447-9000
Address: 220 W Chesterfield Blvd, Springfield, MO 65807
The Dream Center Community Dinners (Springfield, MO)
Providing drive-thru and walk-up food service every Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
For Facebook updates visit: https://www.facebook.com/springfielddreamcenter/
Phone: 417-720-1065
Email: info@springfielddreamcenter.com
Address: 829 West Atlantic St. Springfield, MO
Crosslines – Council of Churches of the Ozarks Food Pantries (Greene County)
Note: For residents of Greene County only. Provides food assistance and hygiene items. Use this link to order or call 417-869-0563. Distribution hours are from 9:00 a.m. till 1:45 p.m. Will accept monetary donations.
For Facebook updates visit:https://www.facebook.com/Crosslines.Springfield/
Phone: 417-869-0563
Email: staff@ccozarks.org
North Stone County Food Pantry (Crane, MO)
Serving the surrounding area including Highlandville, Cape Fair, and Reeds Spring. Open Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m.
Phone: 417-723-5636
Address: 215 Main Street, Crane MO. 65633
EMPLOYMENT & BUSINESS ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
Missouri Application for Unemployment Benefits
If you recently lost your job through no fault of your own, are unable to work due to a natural disaster or quit for good cause related to the work or the employer, you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
Phone: 417-895-6851
Missouri Job Center – Springfield & Branson Virtual Hiring Events
Posting of job opportunities and hiring events. Taking place every Wednesday with companies looking to hire.
Phone: 417- 841-1895
Email: jbiri@springfieldmo.gov
For Facebook updates visit: Missouri Job Center – Ozark Region and Branson Missouri Job Center
Missouri Shared Work Program
The Shared Work Unemployment Compensations Program is an alternative to layoffs for employees faced with a reduction in available work. It allows an employer to divide the available work among a specified group of affected employees instead of laying off those employees. The working employees receive a portion of their unemployment benefits while working reduced hours.
Phone: 573-751-9675
Email: shared.work@labor.mo.gov
U.S. Small Business Administration Resources
Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream.
Coronavirus Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
In addition to traditional SBA funding programs, the CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak.
SBA Paycheck Protection Programs
The program provides forgivable loans up to $10 million to small businesses left financially distressed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The loans, which will be administered at the local level by a national network of banks and credit unions, are designed to maintain the viability of millions of small businesses struggling to meet payroll and day-to-day operating expenses.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Resources
The Internal Revenue Service is the nation’s tax collection agency and administers the Internal Revenue Code enacted by Congress.
Coronavirus Tax Relief for Business & Tax-Exempt Entities
For information on coronavirus (COVID-19) tax relief for businesses and tax-exempt entities.
Phone: 800-829-1040 (Individuals) 800-829-4933 (Businesses)
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention- Resources for Businesses & Employers
Plan, prepare and respond to the COVID-19 disease and may help prevent workplace exposures to COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings.
Phone: 800-232-4636
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed or anxious, especially during such uncertain times. De-stress or find better ways to cope by downloading these free mental health apps from the Google Play Store for Android devices, or the Apple Store for iOS devices.
MindShift
Mindfulness is a downloadable application to help the user relax and be mindful, develop more effective ways of thinking, and use active steps to take charge of your anxiety.meditation and mood tracking.
Self-Help Anxiety Management (SAM)
Self-Help Anxiety Management allows the user to understand and manage anxiety
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Mood Tracker
The Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Mood Tracker is an online diary and thought journal to record failures and accomplishments to put things in perspective and feel a lot better in the end.
Happify
Happify provides science-based activities and games to help cope with and overcome negative thoughts and stress.
Calm
Calm provides tactics and soothing sounds to improve sleep, meditation, and relaxation.
Don’t have a smartphone, tablet, or access to those mental health applications? Check out this list of online mental health resources to access from your computer instead:
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. The mission is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.
Anxiety Canada
Anxiety Canada provides simple, step-by-step instructions on how to deal with symptoms related to specific anxiety disorders as well as general strategies, such as how to receive a good night’s sleep or how to deal with uncertainty.
Downloadable Resources
Coping with COVID-19
STATE RESOURCES
Handling COVID-19 Anxiety from the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
Resources from the Missouri Department of Mental Health to mentally cope with COVID-19.
Phone: 877-435-8411
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions for Business & Workers from the Missouri Department of Labor & Industrial Relations
The Department of Labor is closely tracking recent legislative changes and how they may apply to state government operations and programs and provides updates on their FAQs page as changes are received.
Phone: 800-735-2966
We will continually update and monitor this information for any changes to services. If you are aware of credible resources that should be added to the list or any needed corrections, please contact Brandon Jason at bjason@christiancountylibrary.org