By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
A hotline is available to residents of the St. Joseph area struggling with paying bills or other needs during the coronavirus pandemic.
Actually, the AFL-CIO Community Services offers help through its Help Me Hotline any time.
Executive Director Penny Adams says those manning the hotline talk in-depth to those needing assistance.
“We ask all kinds of questions. If they’re calling about a utility bill, we ask when’s the shut off, what’s the amount? Where do you live? What kind of income? Because the more we know, the better we can direct them to the resources,” Adams says.
Adams says the Help Me Hotline is designed to help those in need to cut through the clutter and get the assistance they need.
“People call us day in and day out about everything and anything; help with utilities, rent, food, housing, prescriptions, clothing, just everything you can imagine,” Adams says. “And, it’s our job to know what resources are out there to help people.”
Adams says the hotline works to take the frustration out of seeking help.
“And it is frustrating. Sometimes we shake our head and think how is the world could people that aren’t attuned to all these resources ever figure things out? I can see why people get so frustrated,” Adams says.
Adams says the Help Me Hotline is designed to live up to its name.
“Calling us, we can eliminate so many headaches, because that’s our job to help them through all of that.”
The Help Me Hotline number is 364-1131. Missouri residents can call toll free 1-800-365-7724. Click here for more information.