Multi-County Community Service Agency sees an uptick in the number of residents seeking its services

The Multi-County Community Service Agency has continued to provide its services to low income residents in 9 counties, who may be in need of financial assistance during the pandemic, but the agency has seen an uptick in the number of people seeking its services.

The Multi-County Community Service Agency serves residents in Clarke, Lauderdale, Jasper, Kemper, Newton, Neshoba, Smith, Scott and Wayne counties. With each county seeing an increase in the number of people submitting documents, hoping to receive some financial assistance for bills, rent, or mortgages, due to pandemic impacting them financially.

Ronald Collier, the executive director of the Multi-County Community Service Agency shared that recently they have paid around fifty thousand more dollars providing financial assistance than they would have paid before the pandemic.

“We are absolutely experiencing an increase in people in need of rent and mortgage assistance, and certainly utilities. Last week, our file that we ran to pay the vendor has $135,000 versus the $80-85,000 range,” said Ronald Collier.

Collier also told Twin States News that he believes they will continue to see an increase in residents applying for their service, until COVID-19 case numbers decrease.

“With the onset of the vaccine it’s going to be good, but until that particular time, -- with the numbers continuing to rise and then places are closing for the safety of their employees, and people who are shutting down, simply because they cannot get the burden of the impact under control, in reference to paying for their business. – we’re seeing the people come in higher numbers,” said Collier.

Multi-County Community Service Agency will be hosting a COVID-19 testing event on Saturday, December 19, from 8am to 4pm. The agency is targeting low income communities for this free testing event, and testing will be conducted at Mount Barton at 2900 Saint Paul Street. Test results will be sent via text or email within 72 hours. For more information on the upcoming testing event you can contact Ron Collier at 601-482-9883 or Dee Coleman at 601-564-3268.