Marshalltown relief agencies seeking donations

Donated clothing, food and household items have poured in to Marshalltown since Thursday's tornado, but now relief and recovery organizations find themselves in need of monetary donations.

'People are being so generous in giving us clothing and food and miscellaneous things, and we're at that point where there's too much stuff and monetary donations are best,” said Pami Erickson, executive director of the Red Cross South and Eastern Iowa chapter that serves Marshalltown.

Erickson said people looking to donate money to the Red Cross should designate their donations for disaster relief and send them to the Red Cross Central Iowa office in at 2116 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312

Businesses

Many businesses in the Marshalltown downtown district were severely damaged by the tornado. The Marshalltown Central Business District is collecting donations that will go directly to repair and recovery for the downtown businesses, homes and buildings that were damaged.

Individuals can donate to the downtown district effort online or by check. Checks made out to the Marshalltown Main Street Partnership and containing 'Downtown Tornado Recovery” in the memo may be delivered to 16 E. Main St., Suite 280, Marshalltown, IA 50158.

Families

Mid-Iowa Community Action, a nonprofit serving impoverished families and children in central Iowa, is organizing donations that will directly benefit affected families.

Individuals can donate online or by mail checks to Mid-Iowa Community Action, 1001 S. 18th Ave., Marshalltown, IA 50158.

Medical care

The Marshalltown hospital, UnityPoint Health-Marshalltown, also was hit by the tornado. A Heart to Heart International team in Marshalltown has set up a mobile medical unit and is handing out hygiene kits.

Monetary donations to Heart to Heart also encouraged.

Shelters

The Red Cross has set up a shelter for residents displaced from their homes at the Marshalltown YMCA, at 108 Washington St., and Red Cross emergency response vehicles are going through the community, 'looking at damage assessment and providing rakes, shovels, tubs or totes and handing out snacks and water,” Erickson said.

Food

Food is being served on an ongoing basis at a Salvation Army station in the parking lot of the Marshalltown Hy-Vee, 802 S. Center St.

JBS Swift & Co., a pork packing plant in Marshalltown, will provide burgers, hot dogs and drinks from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot of the Marshalltown YMCA.

City announcements

Individuals are encouraged to check out the city of Marshalltown's Facebook page for important announcements and updates on relief and recovery efforts.

l Comments: (319) 368-8514; molly.hunter@thegazette.com