Midwest residents are still weighing in on the effects of a derecho that devastated the region last week, leveling corn and soybean fields, destroying homes and losing hundreds of thousands of people. Iowa was hit hardest by the series of storms that ravaged roughly a third of the state’s 31 million acres of farmland and many homes.
At least three people died in the derecho, a line of severe thunderstorms that produce high winds, and many remain without power or access to food and water.
More than a week after the storms swept through several states, there is still a lot of confusion and needs are constantly evolving, said Carter Oswood, executive director of Feed Iowa First, an organization that distributes fresh produce to communities with food insecurity.
“A lot of people were just a little bit distracted,” he said on Tuesday. ‘What do I do? Where am I going? Where do I stay? ”
His organization has expanded its range of outdoor products to include items such as charcoal, candles, baby formula and toiletries – everything the community needs.
“The hard part is just seeing the answer,” Mr Oswood said. “Over the past two days, efforts have really stepped up with help on a national scale. It was just a little late for the party, and I think it could have happened a little earlier. “
Here are some ways in which your help can help.
Volunteer
If you are nearby or can get to the disaster sites, United Way or East Central Iowa is looking for volunteers to deliver and cook food, clean up debris from the storm and more. The organization provides a list of opportunities on its site.
Table to Table, an Iowa City organization that redistributes food that would otherwise be wasted, is helping with efforts in Cedar Rapids by providing food to those in need. It is looking for volunteers to provide food, as well as donations to support its mission.
The Iowa Derecho Storm Resource Facebook page lets people offer their services and connect with those they need. Some offer clothing donations, while others offer locations where donations can be dropped off.
Before you give …
Before making a donation, especially to a lesser known organization, you should do some research to make sure it is reputable. Sites like Charity Navigator or Guidestar class nonprofits based on transparency and effectiveness. The Internal Revenue Service also lets you search its database to determine if an organization is eligible for tax-deductible contributions. And if you kill an organization as an individual from fraud, you can report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud, part of the Department of Justice.
Donate
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation helps donate to local relief organizations and has set up a disaster recovery fund.
The American Red Cross is raising donations for its support efforts in Iowa and Illinois, which include food, shelter and medical care. You can donate on his website or by phone. You can also do this by texting the word “disaster” to 90999 to make a donation of $ 10.
The Salvation Army raises money to help clean up and provide food and shelter and other relief supplies. You can donate to his fund here.
The Carson King Foundation has partnered with Iowa love, an Iowa-themed clothing company, to sell #IowaStrong shirts to benefit from derecho relief. All net proceeds from the shirts go to the Carson King Foundation, which distributes the funds to organizations throughout the state. Any money raised on Wednesday, August 19 will go to United Way locations in counties affected by the storm. Thereupon, money is raised to various organizations that provide derecho relief.
The Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank provides diapers and wipes to families in need. You can donate to the organization or buy supplies from their Amazon winlist.
The crowdfunded giving platform GoFundMe has set up a page for derecho-related fundraisers. Most of the options support individual families whose homes were destroyed or who need help with other expenses.
Feeding the Hungry
Many Iowans are still struggling to find food, and a number of organizations are trying to help. The Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, which serves six counties in Iowa, raises food and disaster relief donations. It also provides a list of places where those in need can access food, shelter or charging stations.
Horizons, a local organization in Cedar Rapids, provides food to families in need through its Meals on Wheels program.
Feed Iowa First, which serves Linn County, accepts donations and is looking for volunteers to keep their services running. The organization operates urban farms in the province and distributes products to communities using mobile veggie vans. People can take as much as they want, no questions asked.
