East Missouri Action Agency brings aid to Marquand, offering hope to families

MARQUAND, Mo. (KBSI) — The East Missouri Action Agency (EMAA) continued its mission to fight poverty on Tuesday, bringing much-needed resources to families in the town of Marquand. With boots on the ground, the agency provided assistance for rent, energy costs, and other essential needs, offering relief to a community with minimal access to financial aid.

“This is a low-income area that doesn’t have a lot of access to additional funding,” said Josiah Muncy, a customer service representative with EMAA’s mobile unit. “For us to be out here, being able to help with rent and energy assistance, takes some of that stress and burden off families, allowing them to focus on what’s really important.”

The agency provides a range of services, from food assistance to housing support, aiming to give people a “hand up instead of a handout,” Muncy said. “Our main goal is to help people and change lives. We want to give them a different outlook on life and get them closer to where they want to be in the future.”

With rising costs for essentials such as rent and electricity, the agency’s presence in Marquand served as a lifeline for local families. Tuesday’s event directly assisted four families in need, Muncy said, but the agency’s reach extends much further. “At our normal office, we see close to 30 to 40 people a day,” he noted.

As EMAA continues its work across the region, the agency remains committed to its mission fighting poverty, one step, one person, and one community at a time. “It’s about access and giving people the opportunity to come out and get the help they need,” Muncy said.

If you or someone you know needs help, support is ready and available.  Click Here.