News : Benton Co. Disaster Recovery Coalition seeks donations to aid area residents

The Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition is asking for the public’s help so it can assist local families impacted by the EF2 tornado on July 17th. The Coalition is asking for monetary donations to help affected families in Benton County meet any unmet needs they have after other assistance is gone.

Individuals and organizations can make monetary donations to the Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition by mailing donations to P.O. Box 125, Vinton, IA 52349. Questions can be directed to Teresa Floyd at 319-443-3570. All funds are used in Benton County.

The Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition requested and received help from the Iowa Individual Assistance Program, which can provide up to $5000 for eligible disaster impacted families meeting specific guidelines. Assistance is primarily for food, clothing, and housing assistance. The local Disaster Recovery Coalition then supports any unmet needs families have after state assistance is gone. Applications for assistance for both the state assistance program and the Disaster Recovery Coalition can be made through the Red Cross at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School on July 19th and at the Benton County Social Services Office located in the Governor Sherman Building at 303 1st Avenue in Vinton after July 19th.

Benton County’s Disaster Recovery Coalition is a 501c3 organization that was formed after the floods of 2008 to assist families in the county who have unmet needs after all other sources of funds have been exhausted. The Coalition is Benton County’s long term recovery committee. They work directly with Benton County Emergency Management. It’s mission is “To strengthen area-wide disaster coordination in Benton County by sharing information, simplifying resident access, and jointly resolving cases with unmet needs”.

The Coalition is made up of local agency representatives and volunteers who “activate” when a multi-dwelling disaster occurs. They will continue to meet until all disaster impacted families with unmet needs are back on their feet.