St. Patricks Catholic Church (Red Cross Service Center)

6/5/08 UPDATE:

Spoke w/Brenda at Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, IA.

"Aplington Middle School is moving all their distribution supplies to St. Patricks Catholica Church currently. The school is shutting down their distribition services".

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For Immediate Release 5/30/08
For more information contact Public Information: (515) 323-4276

Media Advisory:

The Butler County EOC would like to clarify that American Red Cross Service Center for disaster victims in the Parkersburg area is located at St. Patrick’s Church in Parkersburg. The church is located at 304 Second St.

The church is the American Red Cross supply distribution point in Parkersburg.

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Providing Individual Assistance Two Different Ways – A Red Cross service center is currently operating in Parkersburg at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Here, families meet one-on-one with a disaster volunteer to determine needs. Because of the rural areas affected, a special emphasis has been placed on reaching out to those affected. Red Cross teams are canvassing the area attempting to make contact with every family affected. If teams are not able to make initial contact, information is left at the site with directions of how to access services. Each team has been directed to make three distinct attempts to establish personal contact. Teams are equipped to complete case work on site so families do not have to leave their property to receive Red Cross assistance.

To date, 170 cases have been opened and we anticipate opening more cases as the news of Red Cross assistance is broadcast through the communities and outreach workers make contact with those affected. All that is required of disaster victims is a form of identification with the pre-disaster address. Red Cross disaster assistance is NOT based on income and is free to victims of disaster – a gift from the American people.

Client Case Work – Families and individuals with disaster-caused needs visit with Red Cross caseworkers to discuss their immediate needs. In most cases, families and individuals leave the service center with a client assistance card (similar to a debit card) pre-loaded with financial assistance depending on need. The card is used by the family to purchase items needed to help with their recovery efforts. Very few restrictions apply on the use of the card – except prohibition of alcohol, firearms and tobacco.