Thanks to contributions from Ameren Missouri co-workers and its board of directors, the company has donated $111,000 to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO), an organization focused on providing essential resources to local families in need. Since the start of the pandemic, CFO has provided grants to assist nonprofits serving communities in Benton, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Gasconade, Howell, Miller and Morgan counties in Missouri.
Ameren Missouri employees in Southeast Missouri partnered with employees of the Proctor & Gamble (P&G) plant north of Cape Girardeau to distribute several 50-gallon drums of hand sanitizer to the United Way of Southeast Missouri to benefit area organizations during this time of need. Ameren Missouri employees were able to safely transport the large supply of hand sanitizer, using high capacity vehicles, from the P&G plant to the United Way office.
Funding was provided to add two reporters to the Belleville News Democrat to help expand coverage of East St. Louis and nearby towns specifically news regarding COVID-19. Local media plays a key role in our lives, from keeping us informed on daily occurrences to holding local institutions accountable. Strengthening the local media with these two additional reporters benefits everyone that lives in our communities, as we rely on these outlets to provide us with essential and accurate information about our area that pertains to our daily lives. Read More >
Ameren recognizes the importance of supporting a diverse cultural community throughout our service territory. The International Institute is providing extensive and much-needed crisis services to more than 750 refugee and immigrant clients, since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Institute now provides ongoing immigrant community updates about safety and health, including native-language updates to 800 client households using recorded telephonic messaging translated by multi-lingual staff. The Institute is also helping laid-off workers apply for unemployment compensation, using staff who speak multiple languages to assist with the process.
Ameren Missouri is currently the sole supporter of their Diaper Program. During the pandemic, LifeWise STL has continued to remain open to help their participants with their basic needs. A critical need for young families are diapers, as their families do not receive them through diaper banks currently and do not have their children at early childhood centers where they normally receive supplies. COVID-19 is adversely impacting all of us in one way or another, but some of the hardest hit are the vulnerable families that are served at LifeWise STL. They distribute nearly $10,000 worth of food and baby supplies each week.
With the current demand from patients and families, the Center for Families team at St. Louis Children`s Hospital requested help in purchasing 6 additional industrial washer/dryer units. Families are now able to use the units to help ensure frequent disinfection and cleanliness of clothing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ameren Missouri is helping the SLPS community, Bridge the Digital Divide to Offer Remote Learning. Within the SLPS community, at least 40% of families need access to computers or Wi-Fi to fully participate in virtual learning. "This is an equity issue. We don`t want any student to miss valuable learning opportunities," noted Dr. Kelvin R. Adams, SLPS Superintendent. SLPS is striving to provide for all families who request a device, and has approximately 10,000 iPads to distribute, as well as 3,000+ hotspots. Ameren Missouri helped support the cost of the hotspots and 3 months of Wi-Fi service for families. Funds were also donated to support the pandemic meal program administered by the school system.
The purpose of this contribution from Ameren Missouri is to help the Aquarium provide the brave men and women who are First Responders complimentary access at Union Station. These dedicated individuals are a vital part of our community. We fully support offering them a relaxing, fun day with their families to thank them for going above and beyond - always and particularly during these Covid-19 times. This contribution helped provide 500 tickets for their families to enjoy in 2020.
For over 167 years, the Gateway Region YMCA has served our community, adapting to meet changing needs. Today the needs are urgent, as COVID-19 and unavailability of community services affect families, seniors and individuals regionally and globally. Their doors may be temporarily closed, but their mission work continues. In helping provide funding for the Cause For Good Fund, the Y is providing basic needs, addressing gaps in service and supporting our neighbors at a time when they need it the most.