By Teri Knight, News Director
The Community Action Center continues to modify their programs to help with the changing needs of our community. Executive Director Scott Wopata commented, “we typically have some employment services we offer, we are exploring what that looks like to really offer on employment support in this really chaotic time until helping with some of those unemployment insurance claims or forms filling out online”. There have been changes regarding what day you should apply based on your Social Security number. That information is on our Covid-19 updated Resource page under MN DEED. They are also the primary provider of those facing
eviction or are homeless. As the Stay At Home order is now in effect, they are working to find ways to support those people. Of course the food shelf has seen increased demand. Legislators just approved $9 million to assist the state’s food shelves. Speaking of the influx of offers to volunteer, Wopata noted how great our community is, adding that, with the direction to stay at home, “and I know that’s hard on all of us, we get frustrated, we’re at home, we feel like we could be doing more. And that’s completely true. And we can all share in that experience of just that aim of wanting to do something tangible. But we do need to first and foremost remember that right now we’re being directed to stay home. And I think that’s important for all of us just to kind of take that breath and realize that’s, that’s necessary for all of our health”. They are hyper vigilant with volunteers and are deliberately running with a skeleton crew. However, there are times they need people. Go to communityactioncenter.org to put your name in to volunteer, to donate dollars or make an in-kind donation. Wopata said one of the best things we can do is to check on each other and, “If you find something where somebody needs some extra support, please reach out to us at CDC. So our phone numbers 507-664-3550 or we set up a specific email address right now help@communityactioncenter.org” The CAC is here to empower all of us.
YOU count! Fill out your 2020 census
The 2020 Census may have fell off the top page of news stories but it’s very important. Northfield Complete Count committee member, Char Carlson, said most everyone should have received notice in the mail. We have a picture of the envelope online. The envelope is addressed to “resident”. Carlson said, “you open that up and there is something called your census ID, which is a 12 digit combination of letters and numbers. And so with that number in hand, you can answer your census two ways. You can call on the telephone and someone will take the information from you”. Carlson said that’s real easy. You can also do it online on any internet device, “and you can go to my2020census.gov. And when you put that into to your search engine up will pop the census page”. The first thing they ask for is your ID number. The whole thing takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Carlson noted that, due to the covid crisis, they have suspended any in-person public outreach at this time. As for immigrants, she reiterated, all information is kept private for 72 years. If you need help, call, “1-844-330-2020 and in Spanish, that number would be 1-844-468-2020”. Filling out the census is important as the State’s representation in Congress is based off of numbers. Carlson said, “Federal money is distributed boundaries for where you vote will be established by the population”. Listen to Carlson’s full interview on kymnradio.net.
Nfld EDA to consider Loan payment deferral
The Northfield EDA will be holding a special meeting at 9 o’clock Thursday morning. They will be taking action on EDA Loan Payment Deferral for those businesses with an EDA loan who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the public may monitor the meeting electronically from a remote location by dialing a conference number (646) 749-3122) and entering a conference code (254-494-341).
