NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KTIV) – Sometimes all it takes is a few people who care a whole lot to start something big. KTIV caught up with the Union County Long Term Recovery Group that’s still helping out those affected by the June floods any way they can.
Once a month, the North Sioux City Senior Center is transformed into the food distribution center for the Union County Long Term Recovery Group. The group was established following June’s flooding to help families in need in the area, and they wasted no time getting the word out.
“The process started the day after the flood while helping them to clean out their houses. Based on that connection of being a helping hand and building the trust with families the, ‘Hey, we’re all one in the same‘,” said Sydney Hoffman with the Union County Long Term Recovery Group. “Once that friendship was established, those people signed up first and then it spread through word of mouth.”
Families involved with the group are mailed a preference list every month. On those lists they can check off as many items on the list as they want, and when pick up day comes, each and every item checked off is waiting for them in the food box.
“There’s some that only want minimal amounts of food and there’s some that if you offer it they’ll check one off on every box, which is perfectly fine,” said Hoffman. “If you do pick one of every item on the list you can make approximately 15 different meals for a family of 4.”
Each month, the group spends over $4,000 putting together food boxes that will feed 94 families in need. Before the group was able to establish partnerships with local organizations, Sydney Hoffman paid those expenses out of pocket, “Money will be there today and tomorrow, it was there yesterday. But what won’t be there is these people if we can’t put them back together,” said Hoffman.
The Union County Long Term Recovery Group also offers financial assistance to families in Union County who are rebuilding their homes that otherwise are unable to afford repairs after FEMA, SBA, or insurance assistance.
In an additional statement given to KTIV, Hoffman wrote,
“I would like to thank those who have donated so far for this food distribution:
Rotary Club, Siouxland Recovery Fund, Dr. Shawn Walton, Dave and Nancy Fhuerer, Glen, Knights of Columbus, Week of Compassion, the local volunteers for coming to help pick up food, pack and distribute boxes
And the community members themselves for allowing us to gift them food as ongoing support program after the flood.”
For anyone interested in volunteering with the Union County Long Term Recovery Group, or if you or someone you know would like to receive aid from the group, a representative of the group is available Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the North Sioux City Senior Center located at 301 Military Rd. in North Sioux City, South Dakota.
They are also available via email – [email protected]
Pick up days are typically the third Saturday of each month, the next pick up days are scheduled for March 15th and April 19th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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