bransonglobe.com LOCAL COVID-19 Housing Assistance Available for Veterans Staff Reports Veterans and their families facing eviction and homelessness can now get help from new funding from the Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri (CCSMO) has received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. CCSOMO is disbursing these funds through its Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program which will provide housing assistance to veterans and their families facing eviction or who are already experiencing homelessness. This funding is intended to assist veterans and their families during the current COVID-19 pandemic and is available thru June 30, 2020. Maura Taylor, executive director for CCSOMO, said the SSVF has been ongoing for five years in 36 counties in southen Missouri.. The SSVF program helps veteran families with current housing situations including utility payments, rapid housing at hotels or motels, and permanent housing by working with local landlords. CCSOMO works with the Veterans Affairs to accept referrals for the program, but anyone interested in finding out more information may contact CCSOMO’s office in Springfield at 417.268.9998, or in Joplin at 417.624.2790. Taylor said this pool of money will be significant for many area veteran families. “We typically serve 125 homeless, or those at risk of homelessness, veterans a year,” Taylor said. “This new money we have will allow us to really make some huge impacts. It’s a sizable amount of funding but we need people to reach out to us during this time. We have great case managers with heart who are dedicated to just this program,” Taylor said. The CARES Act funding is coming through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for CCSOMO’s SSVF program. Taylor also said, “Homeless people are typically medically fragile, and likely don’t have access to medical care. That makes COVID-19 a May 31 - June 2, 2020 • 3 This rural Missouri family was helped by Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program after their house burned down. The mother, is a U.S. Navy veteran. (Submitted to Branson Globe) particular concern. We also know many veterans will lose their jobs” in coming months, Taylor said. “This funding will also allow us to keep people housed so they aren’t becoming homeless.” Tuesday is Farmer’s Market of the Ozarks day at Branson Landing Staff Reports The second Farmer’s Market of the Ozarks for this season opens Tuesday, June 2, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot at the south end of Branson Landing. Markets will continue each Tuesday through mid-March. Blake Judlin, left, and Nichelle Metcalfe are the Super Bees representing Bee-Transformed Honey. (Submitted to Branson Globe) Each market is an event, with concessions, music, artisans, and of course, fresh local food. Plants, produce, meat, eggs and bakery items are all available for purchase at the Branson market. You might even find some things you weren’t expecting, like local organic honey and natural products from Bee-Transformed of Springfield.Watch out for those giant bees! Or try Peruvian and South American food, such as tamales and empanadas, created by consessionare Nelly Baxter. While you’re there shopping for the area’s freshest items, please keep good health practices in mind. Wear a mask if you have one, and be sure to maintain a safe distance between you and other shoppers. Once you arrive home with your purchases, wash them thoroughly, along with your hands. If you take cloth shopping bags, be sure to pop them in the washing machine. To learn more about Farmer’s Market of the Ozarks, visit www.loveyourfarmer.com, and see them @fmozarks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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