August 20, 2020
The Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with the Claude W. & Dolly Ahrens Foundation, Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation and the Grinnell United Way in an effort to communicate organizational information and options to individuals wishing to make financial contributions in the wake of the August 10 derecho.
The entire Grinnell community was hit hard by the recent derecho, with much of the power to the community being restored just this week. While initial clean-up efforts have been very effective and the community is looking much better, we know there will be a number of needs for businesses and individuals following the natural disaster. Working with other community partners, the goal is to help communicate information about organizations and funds that already exist to support community needs as opposed to creating yet another community fund.
“We have seen so much good from our local Grinnell community over the past ten days – people helping people,” says Rachael Kinnick, President & CEO of the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce. “We also know there are many Grinnellians at heart who are not able to be here physically to help recover from the derecho and we want to give them the opportunity to help support these efforts.”
Should individuals feel compelled to give financial resources, we encourage them to start with, and further explore, these agencies:
Grinnell Food Coalition. The Grinnell Food Coalition was formed to address food insecurity issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, and now will expand to help meet the same needs caused by the derecho. Its mission is to provide reliable resources and guidance during these uncertain times and provides food vouchers to individuals and families in need. Vouchers are redeemable at area grocery stores and the Grinnell Farmers Market. Gifts may be made online at https://ahrensfamilyfoundation.org/donate-online/ or see below. Select Grinnell Food Coalition or send via mail to PO Box 284, Grinnell Iowa 50112.
Grinnell Small Business Relief Fund. Formed in a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this fund is housed with the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce and provides financial support to small businesses in Grinnell. The fund will aid small businesses who may have been financially impacted by the derecho as well. Donations may be made online at https://www.grinnellchamber.org/en/business_resources/grinnell_small_business_relief/ or via mail to PO Box 538, Grinnell Iowa 50112.
Grinnell United Way. Supports multiple agencies, many of whom have already seen an uptick in workload and traffic due to the derecho. Agencies supported by Grinnell United Way are able to support individuals directly and monies received now through September 10 will be funneled directly to these agencies to aid in disaster support. Gifts made after that date will go towards the Grinnell United Way’s annual campaign which is set to kick-off on September 15. Online donations may be made at grinnellunitedway.org or via mail at PO Box 121, Grinnell Iowa 50112.
JPK Grinnell Area Mental Health Consortium. The purpose of this fund is to serve those in the Grinnell area with mental health needs who are financially otherwise unable to afford services or medications. The fund was established to reimburse providers, help defray medication costs, and to establish and support educational endeavors in the areas of mental health and substance abuse. Online donations may be made at https://ahrensfamilyfoundation.org/donate-online/ or see below. Select Grinnell Area Mental Health Consortium or send via mail to PO Box 284, Grinnell Iowa 50112.
Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund (NERF). In the wake of COVID-19 and the recent Derecho, local organizations including Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, Grinnell College, United Way, Grinnell Mutual and Greater Poweshiek Community Foundation have established the Nonprofit Emergency Relief Fund as a way to support local nonprofit organizations in Poweshiek County negatively affected in 2020. Online donations may be submitted at https://greaterpcf.org/online-donations/ or may be mailed to PO Box 344, Grinnell Iowa 50112.
Poweshiek Housing Assistance. The Poweshiek Housing Assistance Fund was established in 2020 by the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation after a Housing Coalition was formed in 2019 over growing concerns of homelessness in Poweshiek County. Funds designated here will help support newly found housing challenges due to the derecho and may be used to help cover rent assistance, utility assistance and assistance to mitigate damage to housing. Online donations may be made at https://ahrensfamilyfoundation.org/donate-online/ or see below. Select Poweshiek Housing Assistance Fund or send via mail to PO Box 284, Grinnell Iowa 50112
Please note that there are many organizations doing great work in the Grinnell community, and this is by no means an exhaustive list; however, we hope that this list will help reach the organizations and efforts that are most likely to be impacted post-derecho and/or have the most flexibility within the organizations to get dollars to the highest need individuals and businesses.
“Our office has fielded phone calls from all over the country in the past few days with people wanting to help support Grinnell’s derecho recovery efforts,” said Julie Gosselink, President & CEO of the Claude & Dolly Ahrens Foundation. “We hope that by providing online donation links to many organizations who are stepping in to help provide additional aid during these challenging times will yield financial support from those outside our community as well.”
About the Grinnell Chamber
The Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce is an independent, 501©6 non-profit organization focused on the Grinnell community. The mission of the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce is to advance the economic development, vitality, and growth of the community. For more information on how to join the Chamber or get involved, please visit grinnellchamber.org or call 641-236-6555.
About the Claude & Dolly Ahrens Foundation
The Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation was established as a private family foundation and 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The mission of the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation is to help meet the needs of the Greater Grinnell community through ongoing support services and resources by maintaining and perpetuating an endowment. The foundation’s purpose is to provide improved and enhanced quality of life for present and future generations with interest in the areas of parks & recreation, education, and health with its collaborative partners.
Grinnell Food Coalition
The Grinnell Food Coalition was formed in order to address food insecurity issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and has expanded in response to the Derecho Storm of 2020. Its mission is to provide reliable local, state and national resources and guidance during these uncertain times. In addition to resources this coalition is also providing grocery vouchers to local families and individuals in need. Between the months of April and July, approximately $45,000 in grocery vouchers have been redeemed by those in need.
The Grinnell Food Coalition is supported and advised by Grinnell residents representing the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation, Grinnell College, MICA, Imagine Grinnell, Tiger Packs, Local Foods Connection, Grinnell Chamber of Commerce, Drake Community Library and our local churches and schools.
JPK–Grinnell Mental Health Consortium
The purpose of this fund is to serve those in the Poweshiek County area with mental health needs who are financially otherwise unable to afford services or medications. Given the stresses of COVID-19 and the recent Derecho Storm of 2020, mental health needs in the local area are unprecedented. The goals of the fund are as follows:
- To help provide financial assistance and support to as many area residents as possible who need mental health support who would otherwise be unable to obtain it.
- The fund will reimburse providers by means of a voucher system providing services.
- The fund will help defray medication costs and/or assist in finding cheaper medicines or alternatives.
- The fund will support educational endeavors in the areas of mental health, as well as substance abuse.
- The fund will not be able to support in patient treatments at this time.
The goals of the consortium are as follows:
- To serve as the link or conduit between mental health providers and those who are financially unable to afford or obtain mental health and related services.
- To develop an organizational framework that can link providers to groups and organizations that identify those in need. (Schools, law enforcement, therapists, counselors, etc…)
- To intentionally work to grow the fund as to provide more and more services to those in need.
- To serve as a possible model for other communities struggling to make mental health care to all who need it.
Poweshiek Housing Assistance Fund
The Poweshiek Housing Assistance Fund was established in 2020 by the Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation after a local Housing Coalition was formed in over growing concerns of homelessness in Poweshiek County. Due to the negative impact of COVID-19 and the Derecho Storm of 2020 on individuals and families, there is a desperate need to provide assistance to those who are on the verge of homelessness in Poweshiek County.
Criteria for individuals receiving funds located in Poweshiek County:
- Assistance for rental deposits or back rent
- Assistance for utility bills related to obtaining housing
- Assistance for mitigating damage to a rental unit
- Assistance to obtain legal documents in order to apply for other housing funding assistance in the county
- Assistance for other extenuating circumstances related to obtaining housing and will be determined on a case by case basis
Funds will not be paid directly to individuals receiving assistance but will be paid directly to reimburse landlords and/or other entities for utility or document fees.
