Hunter
08/17/20
43,895 Cedar Rapids residents are waking up this morning without power, with over one thousand residences categorized as uninhabitable. The city is working to help.
Neighborhood Resource Centers will be set up at five sites throughout Cedar Rapids to consolidate resident services. Locations include:
- Ladd Library, 3750 Williams Blvd SW
- Northwest Recreation Center parking lot, 1340 11th St NW
- St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 1340 3rd Ave SE
- Jane Boyd Community House parking lot, 943 14th Ave SE
- Taylor Elementary School, 720 7th Ave SW
The centers will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily and be staffed with City employees and volunteers. Initially, the sites will provide food and daily updates on services for residents. Additional resources will continue to be added including supplies for clean-up, and legal and mental health assistance. The sites are coordinated by Linn Area Partners Active in Diaster (LAPAID) organizations. Services will transition as additional resident needs are assessed.
The Iowa Derecho Storm Resources group is also helping residents cope with the disaster. Sunday, they served over 5000 hot meals. They’re looking for volunteers to help operate their donation and operations site at 4850 Armor Drive Southeast from 8am to 7pm daily; most urgent needs are people to help with debris removal, and drivers to deliver supplies. They’re also looking for people to check on elderly apartment buildings and to shop for supplies.
Supplies needed include ice, tarps, flashlights, gas cans, coolers, charcoal, non-perishable food, extension cords, batteries, candles and fuel. Supply or cash donations can be made at the site, and donations are taken through Venmo@iowaderecho, or Pay Pal through info@derecho2020.com.
Volunteers can contact organizer Raymond Siddell via text only at 319-432-9754.