(Joplin, MO) – While health officials across the country are concerned with numbers relating to coronavirus, many others are also watching numbers, but these are related to the 2020 Census. This year’s Census has been unprecedented due to the coronavirus pandemic. Because of this pandemic, the Census Bureau has implemented changes to their operations to ensure the safety of staff and the public while maximizing the numbers of households responding to the 2020 Census.
Locally, One Joplin, a community-based non-profit organization, has partnered with the City of Joplin and the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce to educate citizens on the significance of having an accurate count. Ashley Micklethwaite, Executive Director of One Joplin, has coordinated numerous activities to ensure citizens know about and participate in this year’s Census.
“This has been a challenging year, to say the least,” said Micklethwaite. “COVID-19 has impacted the Census throughout the country, including here in southwest Missouri. It’s important to get everyone counted in Joplin, and the surrounding areas, so we are working hard as we near the deadline of September 30. We encourage everyone to fill out the Census for their household.”
Census officials estimate that a community loses an annual amount of $1,300 for each person not counted in the Census. These dollars reach citizens through numerous programs and services received daily in our community, including:
- Child and Adult Care Food Programs
- School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
- WIC – Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program
- Adult Education & Special Education grants
- Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment
- Community Services Block Grants
- Head Start
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- Special Programs for the Aging
- HUD Department’s Community Development Block Grants
- HOME Investment Partnership Programs
- Labor Department’s Employment Service
- Unemployment Insurance Program
- Workforce Investment Act – covering various services
- Highway Planning and Construction (Federal-Aid Highways)
Households can still respond to the 2020 Census by going online at 2020Census.gov, by phone at 844.330.2020, or by completing and mailing back the paper questionnaire they received.
To help Joplin residents participate in 2020 Census, Micklethwaite has organized several community outreach efforts. Volunteers will staff a Census booth at these times and locations:
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | Cash Savers Grocery | 10:30 am–3:30 pm |
| Tuesday, Sept. 8 | Senior Citizen Center | 10:00 am–12:30 pm |
| Wednesday, Sept. 9 | Salvation Army | 10:30 am–1:00 pm |
| Friday, Sept. 11 | Joplin Public Library | 9:30 am–2:00 pm |
| Sunday, Sept. 13 | God’s Resort | 4:30 pm–7:30 pm |
| Monday, Sept. 14 | Crosslines Ministries | 3:00 pm–6:30 pm |
| Saturday, Sept. 19 | Salvation Army Thrift Store | 9:30 am–2:30 pm |
| Wednesday, Sept. 23 | Boys & Girls Club | 3:00 pm–6:00 pm |
| Saturday, Sept. 26 | Joplin Flea Market | 7:00 am–5:00 pm |
| Saturday, Sept. 26 | Empire Market | 9:30 am–2:00 pm |
| Sunday, Sept. 27 | Parr Hill Park | 11:30 am–4:00 pm |
| Monday, Sept. 28 | Joplin DMV | 8:00 am–12:30 pm |
| Tuesday, Sept. 29 | Access Family Care | 9:30 am–2:00 pm |
| Wednesday, Sept. 30 | Memorial Hall | 10:00 am–2:00 pm |
Micklethwaite also reminds residents that answers can only be used to produce statistics – they cannot be used against citizens in any way. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share an individual’s responses with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities for 72 years.
“Citizens can be assured that their information is confidential. Your responses to the 2020 Census are safe and secure.”
Remember, EVERY ONE COUNTS! For more information, visit 2020Census.gov. Citizens can also contact One Joplin at 417.499.9529 or the Cit’s Public Information Office at 417.624.0820, ext. 204.
Reference:
Lynn Onstot, Public Information Officer
City of Joplin
417.624.0820, ext. 204
LOnstot@joplinmo.org
Be the first to comment