Macon-Bibb County’s Complete Count Committee held a forum on Friday, February 14 for faith leaders on how they can help with the upcoming United States Census. Committee members talked about how important it is for everyone in to be counted in the Census, with the goal to engage their help and support in reaching their congregations and members, hard-to-count families, individuals, and children.

For more information about the Census and its impact on the future of Macon-Bibb County, visit www.maconbibb.us/census. You can also text “MACONCOUNTS” to 888-777, and you’ll automatically be signed up for updates and information.

Here in Macon-Bibb, the Census helps determine funding for 4H programs, Head Start, Free/reduced breakfast & lunch Program, Emergency Shelter Grants Program, Justice Assistance Grant Program, Living and counseling services by River Edge, Unemployment benefits, Food Stamps or WIC, Medicaid or a Medicaid CMO (Amerigroup, CareSource, Wellcare, or Peachstate), Foster care funding, Workforce Investment services, Community Development Block Grants, Public transit services, and much more.

The US Census has been conducted every 10 years since 1790, and its goal is to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place. This year’s Census will count people through August 2020, and the data will be used for political redistricting at the local, state, and national level, and to distribute more than $680 billion in federal funding. Every person not counted in the Census is $1,400 per year lost every year.