As the next phase of tornado recovery begins in the Fox Cities, the Red Cross of Wisconsin announced Aug. 5 that it will provide financial assistance to residents in the most damaged neighborhoods.
Since July 27, the Red Cross has operated a shelter, first at Christ the Rock Church in Menasha and then at Appleton North High School. They’ve also delivered over 2,000 cleanup kits around the region. Red Cross of Wisconsin Northeast Chapter executive director Rebecca Rockhill said that after the tornado, the Red Cross has given 165 nights in the shelter, 408 meals and 191 snacks, and that nine residents were still staying in the shelter as of Aug. 5.
As damage assessments continue, Rockhill said the Red Cross is also starting to offer financial assistance to people whose homes are destroyed or damaged. To be eligible for financial assistance, a property owner or renter needs to have their pre-disaster primary residence in a confirmed disaster area, meet the damage assessment criteria, and have the head of household provide proof of identity and residence. The Red Cross financial assistance page for the Wisconsin tornadoes states that qualifying homes or apartments are so damaged that they’re permanently or temporarily uninhabitable.
The Red Cross is beginning “active outreach” to people whose property qualifies, Rockhill says, but that if someone thinks they might be eligible, they should call the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. According to the website, the window to apply for financial assistance is open until Aug. 19.
During the press conference, Menasha’s mayor, Austin Hammond, warned Fox Cities residents to be careful of scams, but that the Red Cross might reach out via text message, phone calls, or emails.
Rockhill stressed that the Red Cross is a charity, not a government entity, and that they do not discriminate regardless of nationality, race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, class, political opinions; and that applicants do not need to be American citizens. She also said the financial assistance is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.
Rebecca Loroff is an education reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. She welcomes story tips and feedback. Contact her at rloroff@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Red Cross to start offering financial help to July 27 tornado victims
Reporting by Rebecca Loroff, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rebecca Loroff, Appleton Post-Crescent | USA TODAY Network
