Savannah, GA, September 14, 2020 - Live Oak Public Libraries (LOPL) was awarded a National League of Cities Census Rapid Response Grant to support 2020 Census outreach to undercounted and hard-to-count communities. LOPL is working closely with the Chatham Complete Counts Committee, Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition, U.S. Census Bureau, Chatham County Family Justice Center, Healthy Savannah, Metropolitan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, YMCA of Coastal Georgia, and other partners to support efforts to increase 2020 Census completion rates in Chatham County through community engagement activities.

The Census is a count of every person living in the United States and its territories and is required by the Constitution to take place once every 10 years. Responses to the Census impact community funding for health care, emergency services, schools, roads, and other resources. The results of the Census also determine congressional representation and state legislative districts.

The Rapid Response Grant provides for print materials to raise awareness as well as incentives to encourage Census completion. Community events will include grab and go food, a raffle, giveaways, and musical entertainment.

Trained Census Bureau workers will be on-site to facilitate taking the Census and translators will be available for Spanish-speaking communities. Devices and Wi-Fi will be available for use in completing the Census. Activities will follow COVID-19 safety precautions. Community events are free and open to the public.

The Census will end on September 30, 2020. There is still time to respond by going online to 2020census.gov or calling 1-844-330-2020. Resources are also available in other languages, including Spanish assistance at 2020census.gov/es and 1-844-468-2020. Census takers are also following up in person by visiting homes that have not yet responded.

Community members can also take the Census at any Live Oak Public Libraries location.