Illinois QC nonprofits aid residents impacted by collapse
Three Illinois Quad Cities-based nonprofits are joining forces to aid those affected by the building collapse in downtown Davenport.
Project NOW, QCON and Bethany for Children & Families all have stepped up to provide assistance to those residents who lost their homes when The Davenport apartment building at 234 Main St. partially collapsed on Sunday, May 28.
Project NOW will serve as a collection place for non-perishable food, new clothing, hygiene products, furniture, mattresses and more. Items can be dropped at its offices — at 418 19th Ave., Rock Island — for the next month between 7 a.m. and 6 pm.
Dwight Ford, Project NOW’s executive director, said the agency also is working with MidAmerican Energy and will be able to pay the utility bills for the residents.
According to Project NOW’s Community Services Director Ron Lund, the agency now will be able to deliver furniture and other items to residents in Scott County, Rock Island, Mercer and Henry counties. Residents who want to relocate to Illinois also can receive help with rental deposits and funds from Project NOW.
Bethany’s John Huber said all of its furniture collected for its family program will go toward assisting the displaced residents. It also will be providing Goodwill vouchers.
According to Cecelia Bailey, QCON-Hub executive director, the Disaster Ready QC fund has been activated. Through its partners, the Quad Cities Open Network will be distributing $300 visa gift cards and prepaid phones. Families must register through the American Red Cross and can do so at the Multi-Agency Relief Center (MARC) event on Saturday, June 3. A number of area social service and governmental agencies will be on hand to provide various services to displaced residents.
Additional funds of up to $1,000 will be made available to families after they have been assessed and referred to state disaster funds and other resources.
Salvation Army QC joins effort to help displaced residents
The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities Area continues its efforts to assist those displaced in the holiday weekend collapse of The Davenport apartment building.
Local Salvation Army representatives are offering opportunities for displaced residents to pick up clothing, food and hygiene items at its main food pantry, 100 Kirkwood Blvd., Davenport. Personal hygiene items are being distributed at that same location, as well as vouchers for clothing.
In addition, Salvation Army teams in the Quad Cities are assisting displaced residents with finding new places to live. To receive assistance, call (563) 324-4808.
The Salvation Army of the Quad Cities Area is set to be part of a Multi-Agency Relief Center (MARC) this weekend. Beginning Saturday, June 3, residents can meet with several area social services agencies and governmental agencies under one roof.
The Salvation Army also is accepting donations to support its ongoing relief efforts. Donations of furniture and other household items (excluding mattresses) can be taken to The Salvation Army facility, 4001 N. Brady St., Davenport.
Cookies & Dreams’ creations help collapse victims
Cookies & Dreams, a Davenport cookie shop, is stepping up to provide support to those residents impacted by the partial collapse this past weekend of The Davenport apartment building.
Cookies & Dreams, which originally began in downtown Davenport, announced it is launching a special edition Davenport Disaster Relief Box to help benefit the dozens of residents who were left homeless by the building disaster on Sunday, May 28.
“As part of the community, we recognize the immediate need for assistance and plan to offer our support to the QC Disaster Recovery Fund,” the cookie bakery said in announcing its fundraiser.
Stephanie Sellers, the store’s founder, CEO and chief cookie officer, said in a news release that 100% of profits from its new Davenport Disaster Relief Box will be donated to the QC Disaster Recovery Fund to assist those displaced residents.
“Our hearts ache for our community members affected by the devastating apartment collapse,” Ms. Sellers said. “As a proud member of Downtown Davenport, we wanted to contribute in a meaningful way to support our neighbors during this challenging time. The Davenport Disaster Relief Box allows our customers to enjoy delicious cookies while making a direct impact on the lives of those in need.”
Each box contains two OG Chocolate Chip, one Puppychow Cookie, one Hawkaroo Cookie, one Texas Sheetcake Cookie and one Summer Lovin’ Cookie, which Cookies & Dreams says pays “homage to our hometown in various ways.”
The special edition box will be available through Thursday, June 1, and now are available for purchase at www.idreamaboutcookies.com. Customers can pre-order online or stop in Cookies & Dreams’ new store location at 6920 Competition Court near the TBK Bank Sports Complex in Bettendorf. The Davenport Disaster Relief Box also is available online for nationwide shipping.
To stay updated on the fundraiser’s impact, follow Cookies & Dreams on Instagram & Facebook at @idreamaboutcookies.
Area businesses join forces for Red Cross fundraiser
Armored Gardens, Analog Arcade Bar and Devon’s Complaint Dept. are holding a fundraiser on Wednesday, June 7, for the American Red Cross’ victims funds, according to social media posts.
On Wednesday, 25% of sales from each spot will be donated to the Red Cross to help those who were impacted by the apartment building collapse. Bummer City Inc., a local hospitality group, also will donate $1,000 to the fund.
For more information, visit @bummercityinc on Instagram or Facebook, or any of the participating businesses.
Dress for Success QC offers clothing to women after collapse
Dress for Success Quad Cities is ready to assist women who have lost access to their clothing and other employment resources following the partial building collapse in Davenport.
According to a social media post, an employment-appropriate outfit is guaranteed for women in need, and shoes and accessories will be provided if they are available. Appointments are required. Its hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays.
To schedule an appointment, call (563) 322-1010 or email [email protected].
Community Foundation aiding tenants impacted by disaster
In partnership with Disaster Ready Quad Cities, the Quad Cities Community Foundation announced Tuesday, May 30, that it is accepting donations to assist those impacted by the weekend building collapse in downtown Davenport.
The foundation is accepting donations to the Quad Cities Disaster Recovery Fund to support Quad Cities nonprofits that are supporting households impacted by the disaster. The six-story apartment building, located at 324 Main St., suffered a partial collapse on Sunday.
Officials have said demolition is scheduled for this week and the Community Foundation said the building’s residents will likely lose everything.
Based on the gifts to the Disaster Recovery Fund, financial assistance will be made available through Quad Cities Open Network to households that lived in the building and who have registered for assistance with the American Red Cross.
The disaster fund supports nonprofits that need additional resources in supporting people for the long haul in the wake of a disaster – natural or manmade, according to the foundation.
Depending on resources available, the foundation said additional grant opportunities to support other aspects of community recovery, including businesses and displaced households in other nearby buildings, may be identified. The Community Foundation is continuing partnerships with local government and recovery organizations through Disaster Ready Quad Cities.
If you or a loved one need support, shelter or other resources, contact the Red Cross Disaster support line for 24/7 support at 1-800-Red-Cross (733-2767).
CASI cancels activities, offers victims shelter
The Center for Active Seniors Inc. (CASI) canceled its activities for today, May 30, to provide temporary shelter for residents of the collapsed downtown Davenport building.
In an email message, CASI President and CEO Laura Kopp said the nonprofit is assisting residents whose homes in the Davenport Apartments were destroyed Sunday, May 28. The collapse left many Quad Citizens dislocated and in need and many of the existing shelters downtown without electricity and water.
Ms. Kopp said CASI’s team responded by offering the CASI building as an emergency shelter given its ample space and amenities.
As the rescue effort becomes a recovery event, CASI continues to work with the Red Cross to provide shelter, food and supportive services. CASI’s own group activities were being canceled as the Red Cross attempted to relocate to a more permanent shelter site.
The CASI building remained open for those needing Senior Advocacy services, Jane’s Place Adult Day services and other supportive services.
“We know this creates disappointment and inconvenience for our members, participants and guests but as CASI has proven time and time again, the safety and wellbeing of those in need will always be our first priority,” Ms. Kopp wrote.
“Providing core services since 1973, CASI’s mission is in the community, of the community and for the community. We are grateful for your understanding and patience as we help those left devastated by this event.”
Gov. Reynolds issues disaster proclamation for Scott County
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for Scott County in response to the partial collapse of the downtown Davenport apartment building on Sunday, May 28.
The proclamation issued Sunday, May 28, activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Management Program for residents impacted by the collapse.
The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.
The Disaster Case Management Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referral to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program. It closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation.
For information on the Disaster Case Management Program, contact your local community action association or visit www.iowacommunityaction.org.
In addition, the State of Iowa also deployed Iowa Task Force 1, the state’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, to assist in search and rescue efforts.
