Donations help Applewood Knoll fire survivors in Duluth
It’s been a month since the Easter Sunday fire at Applewood Knoll Apartments in Duluth that damaged 19 units and displaced 21 adults and 23 children, but thanks to your generosity they are rebuilding their lives.
Immediately after the fire we opened The Salvation Army store so those who lost nearly everything in the fire could shop for free. Families were able to replace household goods, furniture and clothing, at no cost to them.
Additionally, thanks to your donations, we were able to provide 10 families with $200 vouchers so they would be able to buy even more of what they needed at K-Mart.
The Salvation Army was also able to provide food for the fire survivors through our food shelf and hot meal programs.
“When disaster strikes, the most important thing for us to do is make sure people know they’re not alone and there is help for them,” explained Major Bill Cox, Duluth Salvation Army. “About half of the families displaced have found permanent housing and the rest are in stable, temporary housing or currently with family and friends.”
The biggest challenge during this time is locating available and affordable housing options as the Duluth market for rentals is very tight right now. All of those displaced by the fire are classified as low-income and were receiving some sort of assistance before the fire. This has made it more difficult to find a permanent solution for everybody. However, we anticipate that once the school year ends and colleges empty, more housing will become available.
“Once a family finds permanent housing, we will be there to help supply them with furniture and household items like beds, bedding and towels,” explained Major Cox. “Some may also be able to take advantage of our food programs, rent assistance, and utility assistance.”
None of this is possible without your help. To learn more about what we do, to donate, or to volunteer for the Duluth Salvation Army, please feel free to contact us.