Community Engagement Blog

How we do community engagement at Missouri State

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“Keeping Babies Healthy and Happy” With Diaper Bank of the Ozarks

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What is the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks? 

The Diaper Bank of the Ozarks’ vision is to meet needs for all babies. They provide disposable and cloth diapers to partner agencies serving families in need throughout the Ozarks.  

Did You Know? 

  • Public assistance programs (such as SNAP) do not cover the cost of diapers 
  • 1 out of every 3 families struggle to afford diapers  
  • Diapers cost $75-$100 a month, this means that some families may be choosing between diapers and other basic needs (food, rent, etc.) 

When families don’t have access to diapers, health and social consequences may result. Problems that may result look like: unhappy babies, unhealthy communities, undereducated toddlers, and stressed parents. 

How to Serve? 

  • Donate – you can provide monetary donations here.
  • Volunteer – depending on the status of the pandemic, you may be able to find volunteer opportunities here.
  • Host a drive – if you are interested in hosting your own drive, you can find resources and information here.

In Need?

  • If one is in need of disposable diapers, they can go to the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks’ website here to see local agencies carrying diapers.  
  • If one is in need or interested in cloth diapers, they can look into the cloth diaper loan program. For information on the cloth diaper loan program they can go here.

Information from: Diaper Bank of the Ozarks.  

Bear Pantry Growth for the 21-22 School Year

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This year has been a crazy one for the Bear Pantry so far! We are so excited that more people are finding out about the pantry and signing up! For the 21-22 school year, we already have 276 new members. This is a record breaking amount of sign ups for this early in the year. By this time last year, we only had 135 new members. Having more members also means more items flying off the shelves! This September, we have hit a record amount of pounds distributed. In September of this year alone, 2,397 pounds of items have been distributed to the community. Our monthly average from the 20-21 school year was 1,100 pounds. This month alone, we have already more than doubled the amount of items distributed. In the 21-22 school year so far (August and September), 3,523 pounds of food and non-food items have been checked out. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store.

Serve and Get Your Hands Dirty with Springfield Community Gardens

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Are you looking for more opportunities to serve? Do you like getting your hands dirty? If so, think about serving for Springfield Community Gardens! Springfield Community Gardens provides numerous opportunities to serve at a garden, whether it be Brentwood Christian Church Community Garden, Amanda Belle’s Farm, Meador Community Gardens, Midtown Community Garden, or MSU’s Campus Garden.  

What you can expect from these opportunities is to plant, water, weed, and harvest produce. It is important to dress appropriately, wear closed toe shoes, bring a water bottle, and wear a mask. It doesn’t matter if you need service hours or simply want to give back, Springfield Community Gardens would love to have you! 

To sign up:  

https://www.givepulse.com/group/events/230640 

Moving Families from Scarcity to Security

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“Crosslines moves families from scarcity to security with compassion and dignity.” If you are looking to serve a local organization, Crosslines would be a great option! 

Crosslines Community Resource Center

About Crosslines:  

Crosslines provides support to Greene County families in crisis through food assistance and hygiene items. Crosslines is committed to addressing the immediate hunger needs of families, seniors, and children. In addition, Crosslines also offers referral services and some case management services to clients.  

Services Included by Crosslines:  

  • Pantry food assistance 
  • USDA foods 
  • Cleaning supplies 
  • Laundry detergent 
  • Personal hygiene items  
  • And more! 

How to Help/Serve:  

  • Food donations (list on website) 
  • Purchase pre-bagged food donations at participating Price Cutter stores. 
  • Volunteer your time  
  • Host a food drive  

If you are interested in seeing if you are eligible for assistance, go here for more information: https://ccozarks.org/crosslines/  

For more information, visit Crossline’s website, call at 417-869-0563, or email staff@ccozarks.org.  

Transforming College Campuses Through Community Engagement

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Welcome back to campus Bears! The Center for Community Engagement is offering an exciting new program for freshman students interested in strengthening their service and leadership skills.  

What is the Bonner Leader Program?  

An interactive work-study program for college students that emphasizes service learning, community outreach, and leadership initiatives that align with Missouri State University’s public affairs mission. The Bonner Leader Program provides students with tangible service experiences that they can take beyond the classroom.  

Who is eligible?  

  • First-year students who:   
    • Are eligible/have been awarded work-study (is displayed on FAFSA) 
    • Display responsibility in roles at school, work, home, or within the community  
    • Have an interest in honing their leadership skills by serving the Springfield area 

Responsibilities:  

  • Participate for the duration of your undergraduate college career (4 years)  
  • Serve 8-10 hours per week (280 hours each academic year)  
  • Engage in 2-4 hours of weekly trainings and learning experiences during Bonner meetings  
  • Partner with a community organization for a summer of service (1 summer while an undergrad student)  
  • Research to complete a community-focused senior capstone project  
  • Encourage other MSU students to get involved in service opportunities  

Learning Commitments:  

Opportunities: 

  • Network with 18,000+ Bonner Leaders and alumni across the country  
  • Opportunities to engage in the campus and surrounding Springfield community  
  • Leadership development and mentorship from faculty  
  • Earn income throughout college through a federal work-study program 
Interested in becoming a Bonner Leader? Reach out to Alex Johnson (alexjohnson@missouristate.edu) and submit your application with a cover letter and resume today!