Bollinger County multi-agency resource center provides help to tornado victims
MARBLE HILL, Mo. (KBSI) – During the April 5 tornado, 37 people took shelter in the safe room inside Bollinger County Health Center. Now, this room is being used as a Multi-Agency Resource Center for those affected by the storm.
Debi Meeds manages the Multi-Agency Resource Center or “MARC” and she described how these centers help the victims of disasters like the April 5 tornado.
“This place is a place for hope,” she said. “We try to think of things that come up for them so that they can get all the information that they need and really some tangible help.”
Visitors to the resource center can get information from about 20 different agencies about things like housing resources, debris removal, SNAP benefits, and more.
And even though this center will only be open for one more day, Bollinger County Health Center Administrator Juanita Welker reassures community members that the help doesn’t end here.
“This community has pulled together for this event and for these people, and we plan to be here to see them through until they are back on their feet where they need to be,” she said.
This center brings help to tornado victims as this storm did not reach the threshold required by FEMA guidelines.
And while Bollinger County Emergency Management Director Kevin Cooper does not anticipate any federal assistance, he strongly encouraged those impacted by the tornado to come to the resource center and get registered.
“These are the agencies that will help them into the future and, if any other funding does take place, then we can get those folks the help that they need,” he said.
The resource center will be open again on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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