John,

As colder weather is working its way into mid-Missouri it's important for us to remember that not everyone can afford to keep the heat on. About 60% families served through Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA) are working single mothers with children. Often, despite working, these women make less than 50% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or less than $10,000 annually. So, when a decision has to be made between paying for utilities or buying medication for their child - they choose to buy the medication and hope they can find a way to pay for everything else.

You may know that CMCA receives federal and state funding for some programs like our energy assistance program and our Head Start programs. While these funds allow us to help with certain needs like electric, gas and propane during the winter, they don't allow us to provide for other basic needs. When a family comes to us for help with something like utility bills, there are often many other needs that exist. As a Whole Family provider, we know we must help these families meet all of their needs before they can truly begin to move from living in poverty into self-sufficiency.

That's why your support is vital! Your gift of any size, can help us help that mom fix her car and get back on track toward being financially stable and self-sufficient. Your gift can help us help another mom whose child needs an expensive medication that she can't afford. Helping families who are working toward self sufficiency is what CMCA is all about and making sure they can navigate the ups and downs without falling back into full dependency on outside sources is our goal.. So, when you donate to CMCA - you're donating to ensure that families who want to move from poverty to self-sufficiency can do so without having set-backs when bumps in the road occur.

If you haven't made your year-end gift yet, we ask that you would. You may donate in several ways. You can donate through CoMoGives and help us move up the leaderboard and possibly earn an additional matching grant or you may donate through our website.

You may also send your year-end gift by check to:

Central Missouri Community Action

Attn: Cheryl Unterschutz

807 N. Providence Rd.

Columbia, MO 65203

How ever you choose to give we want you to know that we appreciate your gift and will use it to support the well-being of families. Your gift means hope for families who are working to make their future stronger and brighter! Thank you!