Community Action of Southeast Iowa providing for those in need

MT. PLEASANT — Community Action of Southeast Iowa in Mt. Pleasant is one of 16 locations that focuses on poverty within the state of Iowa. It is dedicated to alleviating poverty in this region by providing programs and partnerships within the community.

The group serves a four-county area — Henry, Des Moines, Lee and Louisa. Many of the programs associated with the group have income guidelines, which depend on the funding sources. Two hundred percent of poverty is a common level which we are currently working with,” said Executive Director Sherri Wilson. “We really encourage people to come in to see if they could qualify for assistance.”

“We have a wide variety of programs available for assistance,” said Wilson. “One of the ones that touches most households is our energy assistance program. “

The energy assistance program takes place during the winter months. Once a person applies for energy assistance they cannot be disconnected from their heating utility provider throughout the moratorium which ends April 1.

The average award for the program this year is a one-time payment that is $550 that is sent directly to the account of the applicant. “It goes directly to their utility provider,” said Lisa Nafzinger, Neighborhood Center Director. “It will take a big chunk away from what they may be owing in heating bills during the winter months and may free up monies in their budget for other expenses.”

“Energy assistance also will help families that have propane as their heating source,” said Nafzinger. “We take care of all of the paperwork for the families that need this assistance.”

The payment will be applied to the utility provider that technically heats the home of the applicant. It is an annual assistance program as long as income guidelines prove the need for assistance.

There is also a water assistance program available within Community Action. “It is money that the state has received that will be dispersed to those households that qualify to help pay their water bill,” said Nafzinger. “Water, if you do not have a well, getting water to a home can be a large expense to the budget, this is here to assist in paying those bills. A past due bill is necessary to qualify for this assistance.”

Tied in with the energy assistance program is a weatherization program. This program will weatherize some of the homes that may qualify for energy assistance.

“One time a year we have a program called ‘Embrace Iowa’, said Nafzinger. “This is for people who have a need that they cannot find funding for from other sources. One of the things that we will do most with this program is buy beds for households. Sometimes we are able to purchase a washer or a dryer, or a refrigerator. This is a $750 maximum allocation for this special assistance.”

The group also does a lot of housing initiatives, along with emergency rent and utilities. There are funds available for those that are homeless, and to be able to provide shelter.

There is also a WIC program, along with the Head Start program. “Some people do not realize how much easier this program is to use now,” said Wilson. “They have an EBT card that is used at the grocery store, and they have raised the amount of fruits and vegetables that one can receive.”

“This assistance can go from ages zero to five,” said Wilson. “There are some folks with toddlers that may not be taking advantage of this program.”

There is also a food pantry available at the group’s location at 1303 W. Washington Street. “Typically, this is $100 worth of food that is provided for the families, said Nafzinger. “It’s a box that contains vegetables, meat and cheese. We can also to breakfast foods or kid friendly foods too.”

The food pantry items, and assistance programs are available at the Tolson Center, located at 1303 W. Washington St., Mt. Pleasant. Contact 319-385-2310 to set up an appointment.

Contact Michelle Hillestad at michelle.hillestad@southeastiowaunion.com