The Salvation Army Helps People Impacted by Tornado at Multi-Agency Resource Event (MARC)
Organized by the Gryphon Place, 24 agencies, including disaster relief organizations gathered in the gym of The Salvation Army on Burdick Street for the first of two events. The goal was to bring all agencies to one place to make sure tornado victims had access to as many resources as possible. Those attending also received a free lunch, as well as gift cards.
Agencies in attendance included the Area Agency on Aging, Community Homeworks, the Disability Network of SW Michigan, En Concilio, Goodwill, Health Babies/Health Start, Kalamazoo County Health and Services, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, Initiatives of Hope, Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, the Kalamazoo Humane Society, Michigan Works! Southwest, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, the Michigan Unemployment Agency, the Portage Lions Club, and St. Vincent Charities.
The Salvation Army is also still on the ground at three critical sites. Two of the sites are at Pavilion Estates and Oakbrook Estates in Portage which suffered extensive damage. A third site, located at the First Assembly of God, offers a shower unit and hygiene essentials.
A second MARC event is scheduled May 24, at the Portage Zhang Senior Center at 203 E. Centre Avenue. Interested in helping? You can donate to The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division, or volunteer at a Corps near you.