GRADE: C

Issue Statement:

Boone County has recently seen an increase in the need for services that provide the population with basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. While the need has increased, funds to support this demand have not kept pace with the increased need.

In 1999, Boone County's two largest food pantries, Community Harvest Food Pantry and The Salvation Army, reported significant increases in the demand for food assistance. The total number of cases served by Community Harvest Food Pantry increased by 43% in 1999. The Salvation Army distributed over 430,000 pounds of food in 1999, an increase of 10% over pounds of food distributed in 1998. In addition, the Central Missouri Food Bank, supplier of many area food pantries, reported a 29% increase in pounds of food distributed to pantries in Boone County. Even with this increase, Boone County food pantries continue to experience a severe shortage of nutritional food items. A 1999 one week count of homeless shelter and service providers found that 22 single adults and 8 families were turned away due to lack of space in existing shelters.

The U.S. Bureau of the Census reports that 40% of Boone County residents live at or below 200% poverty. However, the Community Needs Assessment found 48% of respondents rated not having enough money for basic needs as a major or moderate problem. African Americans and those with less than a high school diploma reported access to basic needs as a much greater problem.

Goal:

Heighten public awareness about the population who utilizes basic needs services and why the need for services is dramatically increasing.

• Expanded and improved dialogue between agencies which provide basic needs assistance.

• Collaborated with City of Columbia staff complete the City of Columbia's Consolidated Plan.

• Surveyed Boone County shelter providers to assess demand for shelter and unmet needs for housing.

• Received $112,350 funding for the Boone County Continuum of Care application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to expand existing shelter space and case management services available to the homeless in Boone County.

• Submit an application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Boone County Continuum of Care.

• Establish a uniform report for tracking the population that accesses basic needs services, the demand for such assistance, and reasons for needing assistance.

• Continue biannual census of homeless population and shelter providers to track trends and needs related to homelessness.

Contact:

Becca Jewell, Salvation Army, 442-3229.

Courtney Herbst, Columbia Housing Authority, 443-2556.