Gov. Pat McCrory activated the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund on Tuesday. The fund, which is run through the United Way of North Carolina, will be used to support long-term recovery efforts by helping purchase materials needed to clean, repair and/or build homes that have been damaged and/or destroyed by Hurricane Matthew.
“A lot of communities are hurting right now in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew and the devastation is beyond words,” McCrory said. “Our people are resilient and this disaster relief fund will help ensure North Carolina recovers.”
On Friday, the U.S. Small Business Administration added Lee County to a list of counties eligible to apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses. The loans are meant to “help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster,” a release said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and North Carolina Emergency Management opened Disaster Recovery Centers in Harnett and Nash counties on Saturday. The Harnett County Government Complex, at 309 West Cornelius (Harnett) Blvd., Lillington, and the Continuing Education Building at Nash Community College, at 3866 Eastern Ave., Rocky Mount, will have representatives from FEMA, NCEM and the SBA to answer questions about disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans.
The centers will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays until further notice.
Local organizations are reaching out a hand to help as well.
Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church has set up its fellowship hall as a community collection point at 316 W. Main St., Sanford, to collect items for victims of the flooding in Lumberton. Items include: baby formula, bottles/sippy cups, blankets, clothes (infant to adult), shoes (all sizes), toiletries, diapers and wipes, cots, water, pillows, sleeping bags, hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes.
The church is asking for only unopened packs of socks and underwear. Items are planned to be delivered early next week, and multiple trips might be taken depending on what is given.
Liberty Tax Service is collecting bedding, clothing, toiletries and pantry supplies for families who have been evacuated due to flooding at both of its Sanford locations and its Pinehurst office. The offices are open Tuesday through Saturday afternoons from 4-6 p.m.
“It is heartbreaking to see such damage and loss,” said Angelia Alden, owner of the Liberty Tax offices in the area. “We know that with the help of our customers and others, we can make a difference.”
Chatham Charter School, the Town of Siler City and First Baptist Church in Siler City are co-sponsoring a clothing drive through Monday for families in need. Donation bins are located in campus buildings, the police and fire stations, the town hall and the church.
“Chatham Charter has adopted a theme this year of ‘Together to 20’ in leading up to our 20th year as a charter school,” said John Eldridge, head of school at Chatham Charter, in a press release. “This is an opportunity for us to reach out as a school family and local community to fellow North Carolinians in need.”
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©2016 The Sanford Herald (Sanford, N.C.)
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