United Way Expanding Free ‘Store’ To Century For Tornado Victims

March 9, 2016

United Way’s free “store” remains open for tornado victims, and the agency has announced that items will also be available in Century this week.

The store opened Monday and will be open daily from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m at 1301 West Government Street in Pensacola. While a number of Century residents did visit the store, United Way Director Andrea Krieger said the agency has worked with local partners to distribute supplies from in-kind goods taken from the “store” in Century.

  • United Ministries will use funding provided by United Way to assist family and will also distribute supplies from the “store” to as many impacted by the February 15 Century tornado as possible on Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Pilgrim Lodge Baptist Church at 7000 Jefferson Avenue.
  • Healthy Start will use minimal funding from United Way to help extend hours and distribute supplies from the “store” at the Healthy Start Century office at 511 Church Street, Monday-Thursday of each week from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. while supplies last.

The free United Way “store”, and the remote locations in Century, will offer items including:

  • toiletries-soap, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, shaving gel, razors, floss, etc.
  • paper and plastic goods-paper towels, toilet paper, plastic flatware, paper plates, plastic cups, napkins, etc.
  • cleaning supplies- bleach, laundry detergent, disinfecting wipes, gloves, rags, towels, trash bags, etc.
  • baby items- diapers, baby wash, lotion, shampoo, pacifiers, bibs, burp cloths, starter kits, formula, bottles, etc.
  • drinks- packs of water, soda, juice, Gatorade, Powerade, etc.
  • other- pillows, towels, sheets, blankets, etc.
  • vouchers for clothing to be selected at one of four Goodwill thrift stores locally ($2,000 in total of supplies donated)
  • vouchers for nonperishable food and cases of water available for pickup at Manna (over $18,000 in total of supplies donated)
  • 100 Restaurant gift cards in $25 denominations donated by Jackson Hewitt
  • 15 Whataburger gift cards in $100 increments – donated by Whataburger
  • towing vouchers for those with damaged vehicles
  • 21 varying gift cards (grocery, retail outlets, home repair box stores) with values from $10 to $50

The items are available for free with those with assessed damage from the February 15 Century tornado, or the  February 23  Pensacola tornado.

OTHER RESOURCES FOR TORNADO VICTIMS

BRACE

(Call 211 for information on how to access the electrical box reconnections being provided through a generous gift from Gulf Power)

Brace continues to coordinate with voluntary organizations active in disaster to begin plans for long-term recovery.

  • Constant communication and coordination with Escambia County and Pensacola/Century City Governments, Volunteer Florida, FEMA VALs and local/national volunteer organizations responding to the tornadoes.

Catholic Charities

(Call 211 for information on how to access case management services with Catholic Charities.  They are prioritizing their case work to help tornado victims first.  Slots for appointments are going quickly and due to the high demand, you may not be able to see someone immediately. List of available help below):

  • Food vouchers
  • Life sustaining medications
  • Hotel stays
  • First month’s rent and deposit for new rental property
  • Utilities and Utility deposits
  • Clothing/household vouchers

Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition

(Call 211 for additional information on their services).

(Families in need may stop by the Healthy Start Office at 511 Church Street, Monday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm.  Items available below:).

·         Manna Food pantries donated baby food and cereal – Healthy Start is providing these to mothers until supplies last first come/first served.

·         Goodwill and Abundant Life Outreach donated diapers and baby wipes- Healthy Start is providing these to mothers until supplies last first come/first served.

St. Vincent de Paul

(Call 211 for additional information on their services).

  • Clothing vouchers for disaster victims to shop in their thrift stores

Ministry Village at Olive

(Call 211 or 850-473-4466 if you live in Escambia or Santa Rosa County)

  • Assistance in the form of deposits or transfer fees for Gulf Power service not to exceed $400.00.
  • Proof of being a storm victim is required and funding is limited.

United Ministries

(Call 211 or 850-433-2333)

  • Assistance to those who enter into a case work relationship with them- so they can help clients manage their recovery.
  • Proof of being a storm victim is required and funding is limited- they are setting aside $20,000 of their budget and applying to United Way for funding.

Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast

(Call 211 for locations of the stores close to you- vouchers are provided through 211).

  • New and Used Clothing and shoes – shop in thrift store for in-kind goods donated for tornado victims

United Way – 211 Northwest Florida

(Call 211 with your needs related to the items listed below).

2-1-1 will be managing the information on the disbursement of in-kind goods collected through community drives and on where resources are available.

United Way of Escambia County encourages survivors to call 2-1-1 for resources related to their disaster needs.

Shop for donated (new) in-kind items below from 9am to 4pm at United Way of Escambia County (1301 West Government Street)

When survivors call 2-1-1, they will be offered food resources as well as clothing, toiletries and household goods from the community drives.

  • New and Used Clothing and shoes (vouchers issued for victims to shop in Goodwill Easter Seals stores in Escambia County- available starting Monday the 7th)
  • Non-perishable food boxes with 7 days of food (pet food) and a case of water (Manna will be disbursing these items for United Way so that the food can be stored appropriately in accordance with USDA standards).
  • Tree service for those with tree removal needs
  • Debris removal service

Pictured top: Volunteers from Ascend Performance Materials in Cantonment volunteer at the United Way free “store” for tornado victims in Pensacola. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

Comments are closed.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News