For the second time, Impact 100 Crawford County has been selected to present TANF Grant Assistance to Crawford County non-profits from funds allocated through the State of Missouri, 2025-26 budget. The funding is the direct result of the efforts of State Senator, Mike Henderson of the 3rd Senatorial District, and State Representative, John Hewkin, of the 120th Legislative District.

These funds are available only to support TANF (temporary assistance for needy families), non-profit projects in Crawford County. Unlike the traditional grants given each year by the members of Impact 100 Crawford County, this particular type of funding comes with a host of restrictions and guidelines established by the State. Impact 100 is merely the facilitator in awarding and overseeing the expenditures of the TANF grant funds.

Although the funds were made available through the State budgetary process and approved by Governor Kehoe, the distribution of the funds is not automatic. With the assistance of the Community Partnership Organization in Rolla, Missouri, a specific grant application was submitted on behalf of four TANF non-profits representing eight different projects. Jean Darnell from CPO was instrumental in combining all of the individual project applications into a single, specific grant project proposal and submitting it to the State for final approval. After some adjustments and revisions and a long waiting period, Impact 100 was advised that the proposal had received final approval. Funding was then made available to Impact 100 in February in the amount of $92,825.09, to be distributed subject to the State approved list of non-profits.

On Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, the Impact 100 Board of Directors met with the grant recipients at Cherry Rose Hall in Cuba, Missouri for the purpose of presenting checks for nine TANF projects. In addition to the Board of Directors and recipients, Alan Collins with Crawford Working Together Coalition, along with his wife, Lil Collins, and Doug Lasley, representing Cuba Development, were in attendance. Mr. Collins has been instrumental in bringing the non-profits together in this very rigorous grant process.

Those receiving funding include the following:

• Lifeline Pregnancy Center, represented by Lynn Hewkin, received $10,325.09 for the Infant & Early Childhood Hygiene Support Program. The funds will be used to provide young parents with critical hygiene supplies such as diapers, wipes and infant care products.

• Cuba Ministerial Alliance Corporation, represented by Linda Plank, Kim Kinder and Joan Kircher, received $35,000 for their Family Nutrition Program which provides an additional monthly distribution of household nutrition and care essentials to relieve rising costs and declining commodity supplies.

• Cuba Ministerial Alliance Corporation in partnership with Cuba United Methodist Church received $2,000, for their coordinated program to ensure that families have access to clean clothing and linens.

• Cuba Ministerial Alliance Corporation in partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace received $5,500, so no child in Crawford County has to sleep on the floor. This program was extremely successful last year when over 24 children were provided with their own beds.

• Cuba Ministerial Alliance Corporation received $1,000, for their Essential Travel Project. This project provides gas cards for qualifying families to support transportation to employment, schools, childcare and other critical resources.

• Life House Youth Center (LHYC) Food Program, represented by Kayla Stack, received $12,000 to help reduce household food insecurity. LHYC teaches practical skills in cooking, nutrition, and daily living through a youth cooking program.

• Missouri Ozarks Community Action (MOCA), represented by Mary Mullins and Tony Shaw, received $10,000 for their Housing Stability Program. In partnership with local motels and landlords, this program will strengthen family stability by providing short-term emergency rent, and/or deposits to avoid eviction.

• MOCA also received $7,000 for their CARS Program. In partnership with local garages, this program provides funding for automotive repairs to qualifying families to ensure access to work, school, and critical services.

•  MOCA received $10,000 for the MOCA Transit Program. In partnership with local drivers, this program provides rides for those without access to a vehicle to be utilized for such things as medical care, school and work.

Impact 100 Crawford County is grateful to be a part of this State supported project, which will have an immediate and positive impact on Crawford County.

Established in November 2016, Impact 100 Crawford County is comprised of over 100 women who collectively strive to improve the quality of life for local residents by providing high impact grants to exceptional not-for-profit organizations serving Crawford County. From the first awards dinner in 2017 through last year’s event, Impact 100 has awarded $329,000,00 to various Crawford County non-profits comprised solely from membership dues.

To find out more about this organization and how you can become a member, a friend or a corporate sponsor, or, if you represent a local non-profit and would like more information about the grant process, visit impact100crawfordcounty.org, or contact the organization at impact100CC@gmail.com. Board members include Cheri Schuette, President; Amber Lockhart Lange, Vice President; Tina McGinnis, Secretary; Becky Doyle, Treasurer; Kathy Lasley, Founder, and other board members Catherine Lange, Sharlene Henry, Judy Workman and Francine Rohrer.