(Columbia, Missouri, August 15, 2023) – OATS Transit, a Missouri-based not-for-profit transportation provider, announced that it has received a grant from the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri totaling $7,500. The funds will be used toward providing rural transportation in the Clark and Knox County Missouri areas.
The check was presented at the annual community grant awards ceremony held at Hannibal – LaGrange University in Hannibal on August 15. Jill Stedem, Administrative Director for OATS Transit, represented the company at the ceremony to accept the grant award. More than 60 organizations serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri were presented checks at the ceremony.
"The Community Foundation Serving Western Illinois and Northeast Missouri is committed, to the best of our ability, to supporting areas of human services including transportation needs, especially for those most vulnerable in our region” said Kent Embree, Community Foundation Program Officer. “We are very pleased that we are able to serve rural residents in Clark and Knox Counties through the OATS Transit program" added Embree.
Since 1971, OATS Transit has provided transportation for work, medical appointments, essential shopping, and other community resources to rural residents of any age, individuals with disabilities, and seniors. “The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri has been very supportive of our program to help us provide transportation,” said Dorothy Yeager, OATS Transit Executive Director. “We are grateful that the Community Foundation is able to help us with the local match needed to provide rides in their service area,” added Yeager.
To see a complete list of service options, please visit the website at oatstransit.org/schedules, and click on the county you reside in. Follow us at facebook.com/oatstransit. We also have several driver openings throughout Missouri so we can grow our business and provide more rides. See our website for a full list of job openings.
Photo: Lance Grady, Board Chairman for the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri presented the check to Jill Stedem, Administrative Director for OATS Transit.