BEMIDJI — Bemidji residents and organizations have been pulling together to help each other out after the devastating storm in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 21.
One organization that has stepped up in the community is the United Way of Bemidji Area.
After the initial shock of the storm, getting out of the driveway, and driving around to survey the damage, Executive Director Denae Alamano told the KAXE Morning Show that she knew it was time to get to work.
First, the United Way created the Disaster Recovery Fund, which can be found on its website. The funds go to the organizations helping the community after this storm. This includes the North Country Food Bank, which has a food drop 10 a.m.-noon Friday, June 27, at the Sanford Center parking lot to provide food and drinks in a drive-through distribution. All are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis.
The United Way of Bemidji Area has also teamed up with Community Resource Connections to connect people who want to help with needs like chain saw work, cooking meals or debris removal.
If someone is in need, they can contact Community Resource Connections by phone at 218-333-0880. It’s available to anyone who has a problem, like not being able to get out of their driveway because of tree debris.
Alamano said it's been positive to see the number of people, not only from Bemidji, but from other communities as well, coming together to help. There’s also a volunteer option on United Way's website that will find the right job for anyone that wants to help.
“Sometimes really great things come out of really hard things, and we get to be in the front of that at United Way, getting to see the good now," Alamano said.
Here is more info about storm recovery resources.
