Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri launches online portal for relief efforts

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JEFFERSON CITY – Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri (CCCNMO), the charitable services arm of the Diocese of Jefferson City, has opened an online request form for residents of the 38 counties of the Diocese seeking assistance with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) related needs.

“I am inspired by the outpouring of offers to help those affected by the coronavirus and our efforts to mitigate its rapid spread. This online portal will allow our Catholic Charities personnel to provide effective and safe assistance to the most vulnerable in our communities in their time of greatest need,” said Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of the Diocese of Jefferson City.

The online request portal, located on the Catholic Charities website at https://cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/covid-19-coronavirus-relief-request/, asks those seeking assistance to enter basic demographic details and contact information, as well as a description of their COVID-19 related need. They are also prompted to select if their need is financial or volunteer related, such as needing assistance with obtaining groceries or needed medical supplies while quarantined.

“The Diocese of Jefferson City has been actively recruiting volunteers in our 38 counties who are eager to assist those in need in their local communities," said LeAnn Korsmeyer, diocesan director of Parish and Charitable Services. “Catholic Charities will take the requests that come in and filter them to their local volunteer group appropriately. Our goal in this response is truly to be ‘Better Together’ and enable acts of charity and mercy during this time of crisis.”

“Catholic Charities mission of ‘Providing Care and Creating Hope’ is as important now as it has ever been,” said Dan Lester, executive director of Catholic Charities. “Our experience responding to floods, tornados, and other natural disasters has prepared us as an agency to step up to the plate and assist with this new response, relief, and recovery effort.”

Residents who cannot access the internet can also request assistance through Catholic Charities via phone at (573) 635-7719.

Catholic Charities has also established a COVID-19 relief fund to help those in need. Those interested in supporting these efforts may do so at cccnmo.diojeffcity.org/give.