While there still are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Allen County, its effect is hitting the pocketbooks of area families. 
Humanity House organizers gathered online last week to discuss a number of economic issues stemming from the ongoing pandemic.
They’re aware of the skyrocketing state and national unemployment rates — 22 million Americans have filed for jobless benefits as of last week. For Allen County, 189 had filed for unemployment the week of April 5-11. A month ago, 26 had filed.
The topic was brought up at last week’s Iola City Council meeting.
Council members have agreed to waive late fees and reconnection charges while a state order prohibiting utility disconnections remains in place.
However, Council members also noted past-due accounts will need to be caught up once the state order is lifted, or they’ll be disconnected in short order.
During their discussion, Council members noted that while some businesses have closed their doors, manufacturing plants such as Gates Corporation and Russell Stover Candies continue to operate, while teachers are working from home while school buildings have been shuttered.
That, and the $1,200 stimulus checks most taxpayers received last week should be enough to supplement incomes.
But that still only tells part of the story, Humanity House director Tracy Keagle and Paige Olson, an advocate for the organization, said Thursday.
Many workers have seen their hours reduced, rather than eliminated, Olson noted.
“Or now your kids are at home, and they’re using up a lot more of your food money,” she said.
With that in mind, Humanity House is urging folks adversely affected by COVID-19 to reach out to them, or to Council members.
Humanity House’s goal, Olson said, is for the city to further amend its policy for past-due utility accounts, to allow account holders in arrears to set up payment plans, perhaps for as long as six months.
More than 100 folks have signed an online petition since it was drafted Thursday, Keagle noted.
Olson encouraged residents to continue paying their bills.
