JULIAETTA, ID – Today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Multi-Agency Resource Center at Juliaette Elementary School is receiving fire victims from Nez Perce and Latah counties and Nez Perce Tribal lands and providing them with food, insurance, shelter and hygiene products.
The Multi-Agency Resource Center, also known as MARC, is one of the many services offered by the Idaho Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster to welcome various organizations and assist those affected by disasters in different communities.
“Community organizations should come together in one place and provide resources and information to people affected by a disaster of any kind,” said Jeremy Maxand, board member of Idaho VOAD.
The Red Cross, the Nez Percé Tribe, government agencies and the Idaho Foodbank are just some of the responders.
The Idaho Foodbank is assisting fire victims with snack packages and information on the nearest food banks and meal distribution sites, as well as providing information on resources in Idaho to help provide food, shelter, health care and more.
The Idaho Department of Insurance helps people who have lost their homes or other insurable property due to fire.
Through 211 Assistance, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is assisting families with rental assistance, emergency housing, and medical and health services, and is seeking resources to help families with children get back on their feet.
“We’ve already seen that people need financial resources to get back on their feet, get their property back and continue the lives they had before the fire in Gwen or Texas,” Maxand said.
The Nez Perce Tribe has set up a shelter at the Methodist Church in Lapwai for people who need a place to sleep, and they are also working with the American Red Cross to provide a range of supplies for people, including hygiene items and meals.
The Salvation Army provides thrift store gift certificates, offers emotional and spiritual counseling, and connects people to other agencies in the community that can help them.
The United Methodist Church Disaster Relief provides cleanup kits, sponges and soot damage cleaners for parishioners to clean up smoke damage on their property. Their services are also available in Lewiston and Clarkston.
In addition to the help from these organizations, many community members have brought donations for the victims of the fires.
“The community is really helping out, bringing clothes, food and all kinds of necessities,” Maxand said.
