News : Lions Club receives $10K grant for tornado victims

Jason Cantrell, (center) receives the first $120 gift card from the Vinton Lions Club.

As application deadlines for families impacted by the July 17th EF2 tornado approach, more assistance has become available to help them. The Iowa Individual Assistance Program deadline is August 31st and the Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition would like applications by then also to act on requests for needed assistance. Any families who have not applied can still do so by contacting case manager, Sherry Adams at 319-241-5121.

In addition, the Vinton Lions Club has received a $10,000 grant from the Lions Club International Foundation to support local residents impacted by the tornado. People who have registered through the Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition will receive a gift card redeemable at the Vinton Fareway.

Each family member in the household will receive a card of $120. The gift card is redeemable at Vinton’s Fareway for anything other than tobacco products, alcohol, or lottery tickets. The cards must be used in the next two weeks.

According to Robert Levis, Lions Club President, “We understand people have a lot of areas of need but could not administer this program at a multitude of places on such a short turnaround. So our hope is that by helping with food we at least can free up funds a family may have used for food so that those funds can be used to pay for other needs.”

In addition, the Coalition has asked for and received a grant from the Iowa Housing Authority. This grant is available to help families pay for increased rent, utilities, or housing increased costs as a result of relocating to a new place.

All families or individuals impacted by the tornado are strongly encouraged to complete applications for available programs even if they think they do not qualify. Some programs have no financial requirements but do require an application through the Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition. Families or individuals who have not applied for assistance should contact Sherry Adams, Case Manager for the Benton County Disaster Recovery Coalition at: 319-241-5121.