We are living in unprecedented times. Please know that Missouri River Relief is working diligently to give thoughtful consideration about how our decisions will impact our program opportunities AND keep families safe across our region. We are evaluating our programs and meetings on a case-by-case basis and will publish any cancellations, postponements or other important announcements on this page, the sidebar on the right and on our Facebook page.
MRR supports the practice of social distancing, or limiting personal contact and increasing personal space, as a means to slow community spread of this novel virus and lessen the impact on our health care resources and workers. These upcoming weeks are the time during which this strategy can make the most effective difference to slow the spread of the virus.
The federal government issued guidelines on Sunday, March 29, limiting gatherings of 10 or more people. We have cancelled all public events through May and are constantly evaluating the likelihood of being able to host events in June and beyond. The safety of our staff, participants and community will be the guide for our decisions.
For the time being, Missouri River Relief’s offices will remain CLOSED to the general public. Our staff is partially working from home and are available in all of the usual ways. Our staff lives in Boone County, MO, which is currently no longer under a Stay At Home Order.
At this time, we are asking our partners and volunteers to call or email us to discuss how best to deliver packages or communicate about programs.
Please call our office line at 573-443-0292 and leave a message, or email us at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Thank you for helping keep our community safe.
To help control the spread of this virus, we are taking the following actions and recommendations:
These next few weeks and months will be so difficult for so many in our communities. Missouri River Relief, as a nonprofit supported predominately by community donations and event-related funding, will be going through a lean time this year. This goes for many service and entertainment businesses, entrepreneurs, musicians as well as the many nonprofits that serve our communities. For those that can afford to support community organizations and businesses, this is a very important time to do so.
Please consider making a donation at riverrelief.org/donate/ or look for ways to support other important organizations serving your community.
Social distancing means that we have to work even harder to support all the people in our communities. Over the next few weeks, we’ll all be restricting our social interactions more and more, and there may be enforced local, state or federal restrictions we’ve never experienced before.
But we have a lot of tools to remain connected as a community that don’t involve face-to-face contact. Let’s use them! Think of two or more people in your circle that might be vulnerable or may not have a good support system. Check in on them by calling or texting! Respect each other’s safe spaces and community guidelines, but visits can be made safely and be helpful. If you know someone who gets sick, keep checking in to see what they might need. If you need to physically help someone who is sick, check out the latest CDC guidelines to keep yourself safe but please do reach out! With the economic uncertainty, think of ways you can help those most affected.
We need each other in these unique and challenging times more than ever.
Remember that nature can be a safe place to go. Social isolation is depressing and nature is uplifting. Make time to walk in the woods or sit by the river. It will always make you feel better. The Missouri River has been brightening people’s moods for thousands of years.
As of today March 17, all Missouri River Relief programs are being evaluated. Below is a list of programs that have been cancelled, postponed or reorganized. We WILL be cancelling more events over the next several days and will update here and on Facebook. We will be implementing best practices as noted above as much as possible for those programs that are happening. Remember to check here for the latest updates or cancellations to programs.
Keep calm, wash your hands, stay home if you can or if you are sick, and we’ll see you on the river in a few months!
