Julie Hitchins

As derecho clean-up continues, organizations have stepped up to offer help however they can.

The Community Foundation of Marshall County activated the Marshall County Disaster Recovery Fund to support relief and recovery efforts.

Foundation Executive Director Julie Hitchins said the fund is set up like a bank. People can make donations, which are then distributed to organizations that are helping people affected by the storm.

“We want to give people sort of a one-stop-shop,” Hitchins said. “If there are people that will not get help from the state, maybe this will help.”

With the devastation being so widespread, she said it makes disaster relief fundraising challenging. Following the 2018 tornado, many donations came from Iowans, but they were hit by the derecho, as well.

“This time, everyone has the same problem,” Hitchins said.

Some of the organizations set to receive money from the fund are Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA), Child Abuse Prevention Services and the Salvation Army.

Hitchins said each organization is helping people in different ways. For example, MICA is assisting residents with food and necessary shelter, CAPS is providing infant supplies such as diapers and formula, and the Salvation Army is providing meals.

Salvation Army Capt. Pam Kasten said they have served more than 300 families with food during the last few days. The organization will conduct regular business on Monday and is offering help for homes.

“We’ve got some tarps. We’ve got a few rakes we would be willing to give away for people who need assistance — whether storm-related or not,” Kasten said. “Anyone that is in need of assistance and come and find out what we can help with.”

The Salvation Army is open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Kasten said if people are unable to get to the building in those business hours, they can call 641-753-5236 and something can be worked out.

“It’s not unheard of that we can’t help after 5 p.m.,” she said.

TO DONATE:

Donations to the Marshall County Disaster Recovery Fund can be made online at www.desmoinesfoundation.org/marshallcountydisasterfund or checks can be mailed to The Community Foundation of Marshall County, 11 N. First Ave., Marshalltown, IA, 50158.

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.