Matthew 25: Eastern Iowans saw what resilience looks like amid derecho

What does resiliency look like? It started with a trickle of water coming through the roof. The winds kept howling, the derecho raged and pieces of surrounding buildings struck the Matthew 25 roof. There was a large crash as an air conditioner detached and fell partially through our roof. The trickle turned into a stream. Soon, the whole building had water-soaked ceiling tile dropping like miniature bombs and splattering onto flooded floors.

Lines were knocked loose from the roof and soon the whole building began to smell like natural gas. The 30 or so people in the building, including 15 high school students, were terrified.

Meanwhile, at Matthew 25’s urban farm, the greenhouse roof blew off, trees dropped and crops were flattened. The neighborhoods where Matthew 25 works and beyond, were turned into a shattered mess. Things felt chaotic and hopeless.

What was the response? Within a couple of days, Matthew 25 staff and volunteers were walking door to door to check on neighbors. During these visits, we found out that many who were without electricity had medical devices they desperately needed to run. Just a few calls to area business leaders turned up more than 30 brand-new generators. Within a few days, more than 60 new generators were being moved around from site to site to help medically vulnerable families.

The calls from people in need and those with resources kept coming. Beyond generators, tarps, shingles, sheets of plastic, food, financial aid and volunteer assistance poured in. Throughout the community, the city set up resource centers to distribute many of these donated goods. Lines of cars stretched for blocks as people sought any resource available. In addition, Matthew 25 set up a food pantry to support area residents.

Concurrently, Linn Area Partners Active in Disasters (LAP-AID), a group of nonprofits, immediately began discussing short and long-term needs. Putting aside thoughts of seeking glory, these nonprofits worked together seamlessly to use our varied skills in support of the most vulnerable in our community. Out of this group, the Providing Assistance to Community Homeowners (PATCH) program was developed.

As part of the PATCH team, Matthew 25 ramped up construction support to homeowners. Through immediate roof patching, tarps, shingle donations and other construction assistance, more than 200 low-income homeowners were assisted. Currently, another 112 homeowners are in the process of having roofs, windows, doors and other basic home repair projects completed with our assistance. Every day, the Matthew 25 team is working to bring hope to people feeling hopeless.

What does resiliency look like? This is it. In spite of having our own damage, grief and pain to deal with, resiliency calls us to lift our gaze toward our neighbors who are in need and extend a helping hand. It takes businesses, individuals, nonprofits and the government all working together tirelessly, for the greater community good. I am so proud of the Matthew 25 team and our community as a whole. During multiple natural disasters, we go above and beyond to care for one another. We are resilient.

Clint Twedt-Ball is executive director of Matthew 25.