Illinois National Guard to Aid in Hurricane Relief

SPRINGFIELD, IL (08/31/2017) (readMedia)-- Seven Illinois National Guard Airmen and one C-130 cargo airplane from the 182nd Airlift Wing will depart for Dallas, Texas today. The Airmen are expected to support the federal Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery effort for the next 3-4 days. Members of the media who wish to report on the departure should be at the wing, 2416 S. Falcon Blvd., Peoria, Illinois 61607 by 10:45 a.m.

"I'm proud that we are able to play a part in supporting the nation and the people of Texas," said Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes Jr., the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard.

The aircraft is capable of transporting personnel and relief supplies in and out of Texas from across the country. For information related to the crew, aircraft, mission and to gain access to the base, contact the 182nd Airlift Wing at 309-633-5119 or 309-633-5100.

Hy-Vee, Customers Partner to Raise Funds for Victims of Hurricane Harvey

Company to match up to $100,000; proceeds will benefit American Red Cross

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (August 29, 2017) — Hy-Vee, Inc. announced today they will be accepting customers’ donations for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Hy-Vee will match all donations received from August 30 to September 30, up to $100,000. Funds will be provided to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts, including supporting volunteer efforts, opening shelters and providing meals and other supplies.

“No matter where we are from, we all stand with the people of Texas impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey,” said Randy Edeker, chairman, president and CEO of Hy-Vee. “We look forward to working with customers to bolster relief efforts for this unprecedented and catastrophic event.”

Hy-Vee customers will have the ability to donate $1 or $5 amounts at the cash register of any Hy-Vee store. Customers will be able to add the amount to their purchase, or donate separately if they are not purchasing groceries. Hy-Vee will match customer and partner donations up to $100,000. In addition, the company will partner with the American Red Cross to distribute the funds.

“Due to the generous efforts of Hy-Vee and its customers we can help meet the historic need coming from Texans as the result of Hurricane Harvey,” said Leslie Schaffer, regional executive, Iowa Region of American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross provides volunteers, shelters and supplies for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. As of Sunday, August 27, the American Red Cross has mobilized material resources to shelter up to 52,000 individuals and expects to have 4,000 to 5,000 workers on the ground by the end of the week as the weather improves. More than 40 volunteers from the Iowa Region of the American Red Cross have been assigned to Texas. Additionally, they have sent six Emergency Response Vehicles from Des Moines.

###

MAKING A DIFFERENCE - Friday, September 8th is Hurricane Relief night at the Old Creamery Theatre!

The characters of the fictional Bomont want to extend a helping hand to the citizens of the real Beaumont.

Pulling together during tough times is something the characters in the fictional town of Bomont learn to do in Footloose so the cast and crew would like to do their part to support those affected by the very real hurricane that hit so many towns, including Beaumont, Texas.

For every ticket purchased between now and showtime for the 7:30 p.m. performance of Footloose on Friday, September 8th the Old Creamery Theatre will donate $5 to the American Red Cross to help assist with their hurricane relief efforts. 

Footloose opens on September 7 and runs through October 1 on the Old Creamery’s Main Stage, with shows on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 2:00 pm and on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm.

One of the most explosive movie musicals in recent memory bursts onto the live stage! When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, Ren isn't prepared for the local ban on dancing. With the rockin' rhythm of its top 40 Oscar-nominated score, and augmented with dynamic new songs for the stage musical, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, while guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind. Music by Tom Snow; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford; Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie; Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford; Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.

The cast includes Christopher Bernard, Keegan Christopher, Katie Colletta, Ben Cramer, Kristen Behrendt DeGrazia, Seth Hunter, Steven Labine, Alexia Lorch, Jackie McCall, Carrie SaLoutos, Maggie Saunders, Nikki Savitt, Clark Skaggs, Ross Wheeler, CarolineGrace Williams, and Jim Vogt.

Tickets are $31 for adults and $19.50 for students, with a $12 special student rush rate for students purchasing their tickets 30 minutes before the performance begins. Sponsored by The University of Iowa Community Credit Union. Media Sponsors: City Revealed Magazine, CBS2, and FOX28. Footloose is Rated PG. Call the box office for tickets and information 319-622-6262 or visit us online at www.oldcreamery.com.

###

USDA Providing Nutrition Help to States Hit by Hurricane, Flooding

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2017 – USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is actively working with officials in Texas and Louisiana to ensure that people impacted by Hurricane Harvey have access to food now and after emergency operations are completed.

“In this time of crisis, with many grocery stores closed and other sources of food unavailable, USDA is committed to ensuring that our fellow Americans get the vital nutrition they need and is streamlining procedures to make that happen,” said Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue.  “President Trump made it clear to his cabinet that helping people is the first priority, and that process and paperwork can wait until later.  USDA is already doing the work to help people in need today.”

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is working with officials in the affected region to help feed displaced and affected residents. The agency has granted several waivers in Texas allowing schools in the National School Lunch Program to provide free meals. It has also provided more flexibility to schools in what they can feed kids, given the challenges of preparing specific foods during this period.

“FNS works every day to ensure Americans have access to food, but it is during events like this that we have to be nimble,” said FNS Administrator Brandon Lipps. “Our job is to make it as easy as possible for our programs to be administered in a way that ensures no one affected by this disaster goes hungry.”

Steps already taken by USDA in Texas include:

  • Approving a request by Texas officials to waive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regulations to allow program participants to buy hot foods and hot ready-to-eat foods with their benefits. FNS has notified authorized SNAP retailers in Texas of this waiver, which will be in effect through September 30.
  • Supporting the state in its plans to shift the full SNAP issuance schedule for September to the first of the month so that families have access to their monthly benefits sooner during this time of immediate crisis.
  • Allowing all schools in declared disaster counties to waive the National School Lunch Program meal pattern and meal service time requirements.  This will allow schools to serve meals that do not meet the menu planning or meal pattern requirements for schools and child care institutions and facilities in the affected areas through September 30.
  • Allowing all disaster affected schools to provide meals to all students at no charge and be reimbursed at the free reimbursement rate through September 30.
  • Providing the state the flexibility needed to allow seniors who participate in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program in the service areas impacted by the hurricane to receive two food packages in September to make up for the loss of their August food benefit.
  • Approving Texas to designate schools not directly impacted by the Hurricane to serve as disaster organizations and shelters so that USDA foods can be used for congregate feeding, providing critical food assistance to those in need. USDA Foods include a variety of canned, fresh, frozen and dry products which include fruits, vegetables, meats, and whole grains.

Details of waivers can be found here.  FNS is concurrently providing technical assistance to Louisiana and offering support as needed.   

The FNS response efforts go beyond these programs.  The FNS WIC program has policies in place to allow the state flexibility in program design and administration to support continuation of benefits to participants during times of natural disasters. With a number of WIC clinics damaged or closed during the hurricane, FNS held a conference call with Texas WIC State agency to provide this information and offer any other technical assistance needed to ensure WIC participants received help in obtaining food.

Although USDA food has not been requested as yet, FNS has coordinated with the Texas State Department of Agriculture to provide food deliveries to voluntary organizations as needed. FNS has determined the available USDA food supplies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas in anticipation of requests by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide food deliveries.

FNS is also ready to support the state for other SNAP waivers that may be needed to support recipients who have lost food due to the disaster and to simplify the application process for affected households, as well as waivers covering Child and Adult Care Food Program sites and schools used as shelters.

In addition, FNS will provide infant formula and food to infants and children housed in disaster congregate shelters if requested. FNS can typically fulfill a request for these items 24-48 hours after receiving a request from the state or the FEMA.

In the coming weeks, at the state‘s request, FNS also stands at the ready to offer continuing food assistance through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) – after commercial channels of food distribution have been restored and families are able to prepare food at home, Perdue emphasized.

To simplify program administration in disaster conditions, the D-SNAP application and eligibility process is shortened and streamlined.  In times when D-SNAP becomes necessary, low-income households not normally eligible under regular program rules may qualify for D-SNAP if they meet the disaster income limits, which are slightly higher, and have qualifying disaster-related expenses such as loss of income, damage to property, and relocation expenses.  Additionally, ongoing SNAP clients may also receive disaster assistance in the form of a supplement, when their benefits are less than the monthly maximum, to help replace food destroyed in the disaster.

USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which together comprise America's nutrition safety net. For more information on FNS assistance during times of disaster, visit www.fns.usda.gov.

###

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation Announce up to $20 million toward Hurricane Harvey Relief and Recovery

Company launching customer campaign, gives Iowa customers opportunity to contribute to relief efforts

Des Moines, Iowa – Aug. 31, 2017 – Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have committed up to $20 million in support of relief efforts in response to the severe weather impacting the Gulf region. This includes $10 million focused on support of American Red Cross shelters and $2 million in support of the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation, which was announced yesterday at a press briefing with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.

“Our Texas family of customers and associates are experiencing devastating impact from this storm,” said Doug McMillon, President and CEO of Walmart. “We are on the ground to help our friends and neighbors in the Gulf region, and we’ll continue to be in the tough days, weeks, and months ahead.”

“In the midst of the worst storm this region has ever seen, it is wonderful to see corporate partners such as Walmart step up and help Houstonians,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “We are rebuilding and with these funds we will be able to help Houstonians return to normality. I would like to thank Walmart President and CEO, Doug McMillon for his generosity and challenge others to join in this effort.”

To help those in need, Walmart is launching a customer campaign with the American Red Cross to assist with Hurricane Harvey relief. As part of the customer campaign, Walmart is matching customer donations two to one with cash and product donations of up to $10 million to support American Red Cross disaster relief. Walmart’s initial focus will be on mega-shelters, providing items to meet basic needs, such as water, infant formula, diapers, underwear and personal hygiene products. The company will also aim to increase comfort in these shelters by providing items such as TVs, DVDs, games and stuffed animals for children and healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit. 

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation will also give additional cash and product donations totaling $10 million to support the Salvation Army, Feeding America, Convoy of Hope, Team Rubicon and the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation, as well as other organizations assisting food distribution, sheltering and cleanup efforts.

This commitment is an increase from the previously announced $1 million of in-kind donations for immediate relief. In addition, local stores in the Gulf region have provided food, merchandise and other supplies, such as baby formula, batteries and kayaks to first responders, the National Guard, police and fire departments, churches and shelter organizations. Additional relief efforts include:

  • Working to open our affected stores as quickly as possible. Texas is home to nearly 600 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs serving millions of customers and employing more than 169,000 associates. As of this release, 45 stores in affected counties have been reopened.
  • Centralizing relief efforts through the Walmart Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which operates 24 hours a day in tracking storm impacts and supporting our associates needs and well-being. The EOC also facilitates store recovery, and is supporting community relief efforts in the Gulf region. This includes shipments of emergency supplies to multiple shelter operations in the area.
  • Working to help our associates in the impacted 16 counties of Texas.  We’ve received calls from more than 11,000 associates and are helping in various capacities, such as access to earned wage and disaster support assistance, setting up support centers in the impacted areas, providing hot meals to families and proactively calling associates to conduct wellness checks.
  • Shipping more than 1,060 truckloads to the impacted areas, including over 930 truckloads of water.        
  • Committing support to the George R. Brown Convention Center sheltering operation in Houston through truckloads of food and water and small comforts like board games, TVs, clothing and every day essentials.
  • Launching a mobile pharmacy staffed with Walmart pharmacists in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, with another pharmacy being sent to Houston to provide prescription related counseling and fill prescriptions at no cost to evacuees.
  • Providing subject matter experts in logistics and emergency management to assist local emergency operations centers and with establishing local shelters.

Walmart will continue to deliver water and emergency supplies to the areas in greatest need throughout the region; including cleaning supplies, pet food, batteries, diapers, baby formula, hand sanitizer, first aid supplies, fans, generators, candles, flashlights, propane, rainwear, tarps, gas cans and related items.

Walmart has a long history of providing aid in times of disasters, helping communities prepare and recover by donating emergency supplies, such as food and water, home and personal products. Since 2005, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have donated more than $60 million in cash and in-kind donations in response to disaster events.

Customer Campaign Details

During the campaign, Iowa customers can donate any amount to the American Red Cross at registers in Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs or on Walmart.com and Samsclub.com.   By texting WALMART to 90999 customers also have the option to donate $10 via their wireless carrier.* For every $1 donated, Walmart will contribute $2 worth of cash or, at Walmart’s option, needed product to the American Red Cross, up to $10 million.  Walmart’s product contributions will be valued at Walmart’s cost.  The campaign will run from August 31, 2017 through September 6, 2017.

“The devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in the Gulf Region and the countless acts of kindness and selflessness that have happened in response have touched the hearts of people across the country,” said Kyla Luckie, Walmart regional general manager. “Customers who want to join us in providing support can do so by contributing at the cash register, online, or by text and we’ll make their contribution more impactful by matching it.”

*A one-time $10.00 donation will be added to your mobile bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. All donations must be authorized by account holder. Must be 18 or older or have parental permission to participate. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to 90999 to STOP. Text HELP to 90999 for HELP. Full Terms and Privacy Policy: hmgf.org/t.

# # #

 

 

Support the River Cities' Reader

Get 12 Reader issues mailed monthly for $48/year.

Old School Subscription for Your Support

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Old School Subscribe now.



Help Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93!

 

"We're the River Cities' Reader, and we've kept the Quad Cities' only independently owned newspaper alive and free since 1993.

So please help the Reader keep going with your one-time, monthly, or annual support. With your financial support the Reader can continue providing uncensored, non-scripted, and independent journalism alongside the Quad Cities' area's most comprehensive cultural coverage." - Todd McGreevy, Publisher