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Churches reach out to storm victims |
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Thursday, 26 June 2008 |
Goal is to help those who can’t get disaster aid
Local churches and other organizations will join to provide disaster assistance to Saline County residents who do not meet the requirements for government aid.
Even people who do meet eligibility requirements may still have “unmet needs,” Janet Broadwell, secretary of the newly formed Saline County Long-term Recovery Committee, said.
“Anytime disasters happen over the state, government agencies come in and do all they can do,” said Broadwell, who is with Christian Ambassadors of Hot Springs Inc.
“FEMA has learned that faith-based organizations step up to the plate and there is a huge network. It’s inspiring to see what everyone is willing to do.”
The committee meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at First United Methodist Church on Market Street in Downtown Benton. “Anyone interested in becoming involved may attend the meetings,” Broadwell said.
The committee is busy gathering information about needs in the community and information on available funding, Broadwell said, noting: “We cannot help people if we don’t know what their need are.”
A challenge of the committee is finding the people who need assistance, she said, noting that the Federal Emergency Management Agency cannot release private information about people who have applied for assistance without consent from the applicants.
Broadwell said FEMA helps bring together local churches and voluntary agencies to assist applicants with unmet needs. Services offered range from financial assistance, cleanup, minor and major home repair and spiritual counseling.
“We are here and willing to help,” she said.
After exhausting all programs with FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the state, people should call 317-9722 to receive help from the committee.
In addition to Christian Ambassadors, members of the committee include the American Red Cross, First United Methodist Church of Benton, Bryant First United Methodist Church, Churches Joint Council on Human Needs, Catholic Charities of Bryant, Parkview United Methodist Church of Benton, First Assembly of God South, First Baptist Church of Benton, First Presbyterian Church of Benton, Salem United Methodist Church, Highland Heights Baptist Church of Benton, First Christian Church of Benton, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church of Benton, Calvary Baptist Church of Benton, Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, First Pentecostal Church, Central Arkansas Development Council, Benton-Bauxite Rotary Club, and The Vines and the Branches Inc.
Broadwell said that after the known needs are met in the aftermath of the April and May tornadoes and flooding, the committee will continue to stand.
“There will be another disaster, so once all the current needs are met we’ll meet on a quarterly basis,” she said. “Damage begins in the community and ends in the community.”
Those who may be eligible for FEMA assistance but have not yet applied have until Friday to do so. Applicants should contact their insurance companies and file necessary claims before contacting FEMA because government assistance does not cover damage or losses already covered by private insurance.
People needing assistance should call the FEMA registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for persons with special speech or hearing needs. Registration line hours are operational from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Applicants also can register online at any time at http://www.fema.gov.
Friday also is the deadline to apply for disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. People may contact the SBA by calling 1-800-659-2955 or visiting the SBA website at http://www. sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
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