Hannibal Community Leaders Announce Resources in Response to COVID-19

Hannibal, Missouri, March 19, 2020 – Community leaders met virtually on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 to continue community conversation about response to the coronavirus pandemic and announce the following:

• The United Way of the Mark Twain Area has established a community help line at 573-221-2761. We encourage our community to use this line to access vital resources as they encounter life-altering issues associated with food insecurity, transportation issues or other major concerns.
• Hannibal Public Schools staff is currently preparing packets for students. Packet pick up is Monday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Packets will be distributed drive-up style. Middle and high school packets will be distributed electronically unless paper copies are needed.
• Hannibal Public Schools nurses have called families to arrange for medicine pick up through Friday, March 20.
• Hannibal Public Schools will be distributing breakfast and lunch beginning Monday, March 23 and is collaborating with Douglass Community Services to distribute USDA Summer Meal Program dinners and HAYS to distribute Buddy Packs. There will be 22 sites for meal pick up, which are listed at the end of the release.
• As of the time of this release there are no positive cases in northeast Missouri. Hannibal Regional has been and is continuing to test patients which meet the testing criteria. To continue all efforts in mitigating potential exposure, Hannibal Regional Healthcare System has a designated Fever/Virus Entrance. All patients which are exhibiting fever or virus symptoms should use this designated entrance beside the Emergency Room.  Visitor restrictions are in place, and all visitors and patients are screened upon entrance to the facility.  All recent updates, COVID-19 resources and updates from CEO Todd Ahrens are available at hannibalregional.org.
• The United Way of the Mark Twain Area has launched a COVID-19 Response Fund to assist with the assembly and delivery of Response Kits for clients of area senior centers who have meals delivered to their homes. These Response Kits will include some shelf staples, paper products, toiletries, etc. to help seniors avoid going into public settings. Kits will be distributed through Heartland Resources in Lewis County, Monroe City Senior Nutrition Center, Palmyra Nutrition Center, Paris Senior Center, the Shelby County Senior Citizens, and the Hannibal Nutrition Center, as supplies allow. To make a donation, please visit http://unitedwaymta.org, send donations by mail to PO Box 81, Hannibal, MO 63401 specially marked for the COVID-19 Response, or make a donation through the United Way of the Mark Twain Area Facebook page.
• The United Way of the Mark Twain Area is providing a weekly “Celebrity Reading Time,” which will feature local leaders and celebrities reading their favorite children’s books via video on the United Way’s website, http://unitedwaymta.org.
• Douglass Community Services remains open, providing all services, but has closed their building to visitors.
• The YMCA of Hannibal will be providing a super snack from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, March 23rd. This will be a grab-and-go meal for each child in the car. 50 bags will be available each day.
• The YMCA of Hannibal is closed to the public, but will be providing onsite daycare for children K-5th grade beginning Monday, March 23rd. Childcare will be available from 7am-5:30pm. Children will be placed in appropriate classes of no more than 8 students per room with 2 attendants. Priority registration will be available for First Responders and Health Care Officials. Register by calling 573-221-0586.
• The Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce remains open, but has closed their office to visitors.
• Out of an abundance of caution, starting Thursday, March 19, all city buildings will be closed to the public for 30 days, to protect the public. The exception being the lobby at the police station which will remain open.   All essential services will continue, such as fire and police protection, as well as electric, water and sewer services and street and park repair and maintenance.  Both the main Board of Public Works office at 3 Industrial Drive and City Hall, 320 Broadway, have secure drop boxes where payments can be delivered. The HBPW offers multiple ways to access account information on the website:  hannibalbpw.org/departments/customer-service/pay-your-bill/. All late fees will be waived, there will be no disconnects for late payments. We appreciate the cooperation of everyone as we work together to do what we can to contribute to slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

Important numbers follow:

• Board of Public Works Customer Service 573-221-8050
• Board of Public Works emergency service issues (24/7) 573-221-0955
• City Hall 573-221-0111
• Parks & Recreation 573-221-0154
• Hannibal Municipal Airport 573-406-3728

The group continues to urge our community to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated guidelines to combat the spread of this virus, including hand washing, regular disinfection of surfaces, practicing social distancing and limiting travel, and staying home if you are sick. If you think you may have the coronavirus, please call your healthcare provider’s office before visiting.

Additionally, the group reminds our community of the importance of seeking out information from credible and reliable sources like the CDC, and not relying on social media for updates.

The group of community leaders includes representatives from the following: Hannibal-LaGrange University; Preferred Family Healthcare; Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council; Mark Twain Behavioral Health; YMCA of Hannibal; City of Hannibal; Marion County Health Department; Hannibal Police Department; Hannibal Fire Department; Clarity Healthcare; The PATCH Center; Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce; Hannibal Clinic; Douglass Community Services; United Way of the Mark Twain Area; Marion County Emergency Management; Holy Family School; St. John’s Lutheran School; Hannibal Public Schools; Hannibal Regional Healthcare System; and Moberly Area Community College.