Volunteers to man census booths throughout Joplin this month as deadline approaches

(From the City of Joplin)

As 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 being utilized to ensure the safety of staff and the public while maximizing the number 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 educated and promote citizens on the significance of having an accurate count. Ashleigh Mickelthwaite, Executive Director of One Joplin, has coordinated numerous activities to ensure citizens know and participate in this year’s Census.

“This has been a challenging year, to say the least,” said Mickelthwaite. “COVID-19 has impacted the Census throughout the county, 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 please fill out the Census for their household.”

Census officials It is estimated 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 the 2020 Census, Mickelthwaite has organized several community outreach efforts. Volunteers will staff a Census booth at these times and locations:

5-Sep	Sat	Cash Savers Grocery	10:30am - 3:30pm
8-Sep	Tue	Senior Citizen Center	10:00am - 12:30pm
9-Sep	Wed	Salvation Army	10:30am - 1:00pm
11-Sep	Fri	Library	9:30am - 2:00pm
13-Sep	Sun	God’s Resort	4:30pm - 7:30pm
14-Sep	Mon	Crosslines	3:00pm - 6:30pm
19-Sep	Sat	Sal. Army Thrift Store	9:30am - 2:30pm
23-Sep	Wed	Boys & Girls Club	3:00pm - 6:00pm
26-Sep	Sat	Joplin Flea Market	7:00am-12:00pm
26-Sep	Sat	Joplin Flea Market	12:00pm - 5:00pm
26-Sep	Sat	Empire Market	9:30am - 2:00pm
27-Sep	Sun	Parr Hill Park	11:30am - 4:00pm
28-Sep	Mon	Joplin DMV	8:00am - 12:30pm
29-Sep	Tue	Access Family Care	9:30am - 2:00pm
30-Sep	Wed	Memorial Hall	10:00am - 2:00pm

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 www.2020Census.gov. Citizens can also contact One Joplin at 417-499-9529 or the City’s Public Information Office at 417-624-0820, ext. 204.

To complete your Census questionnaire...