The Salvation Army Serves Flood Survivors at Multi-Agency Response Event
After the rivers crested and started to recede, The Salvation Army joined with other local organizations to offer support services to nearly 1,000 Lake County, Illinois, families most affected by the flood.
The Multi-Agency Response Center (MARC) provided flood survivors a one-stop location to meet with caseworkers from more than 25 agencies offering resources and information on insurance claims, home repair, obtaining furniture, food, cleaning kits and more.
The Salvation Army coordinated the in-kind donations and helped survivors select items including food boxes, personal hygiene kits, bottled water, brooms and more. The Salvation Army expects to provide follow-up services to more than 500 families, including furniture and clothing vouchers, rent/mortgage payments, utility payments and referrals to partner agencies for help with other emergency-related needs.
James Sisson, 48, of North Chicago, lives in a three-flat with his 85-year-old mother. They were on vacation in Florida and returned nearly a week after the flooding started. “We came back to a basement with several feet of water in it,” Sisson said. “It all backed up from the sewer. Everything we had just put in as part of the remodel was completely destroyed.”
Sisson visited the MARC in search of some help starting all over. “We lost everything that was down there – clothes, furniture, items. All we have left is what we came back from Florida with.” Sisson left the MARC with items that can immediately help – food for a few days, clean up kit, water, broom, etc. – and referrals for removing drywall, remediating mold damage, and obtaining new furniture.
While the immediate threat of flood damage is now past, our neighbors in Lake County face months of clean up and rebuilding, and The Salvation Army will remain there to help. To support our work, visit our donation page or call 1.800.SAL.ARMY.