MENASHA, WI — In response to the EF‑3 tornado that ripped through the Fox Cities, a newly created Tornado Relief Fund will provide a minimum of $1 million in direct financial assistance to affected households. The fund, a partnership among United Way Fox Cities, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, is already backed by more than $3 million in donor contributions.
How the money will be used
According to Curt Detjen, President/CEO of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, the assistance will focus on “basic needs” such as rent, food, emergency lodging and transportation. The organizations emphasized that every dollar will go straight to relief; none will be retained for overhead or administrative costs.
Application process
Non‑profit partners will be selected next week. Once chosen, each organization will set its own eligibility criteria and determine the amount of aid each applicant receives. United Way Fox Cities President/CEO Lisa Kogan‑Praska said the selected nonprofits are “specialists in making sure that financial assistance can be accessible, it can be understandable.” Information on how to apply is expected to be posted by the end of next week.
Short‑term versus long‑term help
The initial round of aid is intended for immediate, short‑term needs. While rent, lodging, food and transportation are likely to be covered, home repairs and rebuilding will be addressed later, pending additional funding. Detjen and Kogan‑Praska expressed hope that future resources will be available to support homeowners with reconstruction.
Community response
Since the fund’s launch, more than $650,000 has already been distributed to nonprofits that provide basic necessities and coordinate volunteers. Several local businesses and individuals have also contributed to tornado relief through separate channels.
What residents should do
Households seeking assistance should watch for the upcoming announcement of participating nonprofits and follow the application instructions on each organization’s website. A full list of partner nonprofits will be available at the fund’s online portal.
By keeping all donations local and directing them straight to families in need, the Tornado Relief Fund aims to help the Fox Cities community recover quickly and rebuild stronger.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
