|
January 10, 2008
Press Release from Houston County Interfaith Long-term Recovery Organization
Following the floods of August 2007, the Houston Ministerium, a group of pastors in Houston County gathered to consider the needs of those affected by the flood. From that meeting the Houston County Interfaith Long-term Recovery Organization (HCILTRO) was formed. Other area churches and civic groups were invited to join and status as a 501c3 was sought, that is, a non-profit agency with tax exempt status.
The recovery piece of this organization is to distribute help to meet the “long term unmet needs” of the people in the flood area. Our main task is to assess the needs of households that sustained damage and loss and connect them to available resources. This is done through a case worker. When the resources of FEMA, SBA and MN Quickstart have been exhausted HCILTRO seeks to allocate the funds they can access to meet any “unmet needs”. This is a long term process and may take up to 3 years to determine the long term affects of the flood.
HCILTRO was also asked to distribute $ 25,000 raised by the group of Houston alumni from the Twin Cities that formed “Root Relief”. These funds were designated to go to households and businesses in the Houston, Hokah and Brownsville areas. So far HCILTRO has awarded $ 7,800 in grants to households with unmet needs and $9,000 in grants to businesses from the Root Relief monies. Businesses in Houston County that sustained losses are encouraged to contact Pastor Jeff Forbes, chair, Pastor Sharon Goetzinger, vice chair or Pastor Louise Stromberg, secretary-treasurer for an application for assistance from the Root Relief funds.
HCILTRO has also received generous gifts from individuals and groups in our area that seek to help their friends and neighbors as they recover from their losses. We are extremely grateful for the generosity of area residents. Donations to HCILTRO are tax deductible.
On January 10th, Peg Winters of the United Way presented HCILTRO with $10,000 from the SE MN Flood Recovery Fund to be distributed to households with unmet needs in Houston County. Those with unmet needs from the August floods are encouraged to contact HCILTRO’s case workers for help in applying by calling 507-864-4212. |