CLOSED April 2024 Affordable Connectivity Program The Affordable Connectivity Program replaced the Emergency Broadband Benefit on December 31, 2021. Learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program including eligibility criteria and enrollment by visitingfcc.gov/ACPor visitThe Affordable Connectivity Program website. Frontline Grocery Workers Fund Through a partnership with United Way Worldwide and Kendall-Jackson, the Grocery Workers Fund provides emergency relief for the immediate needs of frontline grocery store workers as a way to say 'thank you' to grocery workers. Grocery store employees may qualify for financial assistance in the form of a gift card to help them weather difficult times, not just during COVID-19 but is designated to be a long-term resource. Apply here. Applications open Thursday, October 1, 2020 and are open to eligible grocery workers in the United States. The application may close each month if the number of applicants exceeds the amount of funds available but will reopen on the first day of the following month. Visit application link for more FAQs. The North Stands Stipend Program Provides stipends to displaced hospitality workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota. To apply, visit website. One Fair Wage Emergency Fund Supports restaurant workers, delivery drivers and other tipped workers and service workers facing financial hardship or are unable to work because of quarantines, facing a severe crisis, or other health concerns in Minnesota. To apply, visit website. FEMA Funeral Assistance FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses. The COVID-19 incident period will come to an end on May 11, 2023. FEMA will continue to provide funeral assistance until September 30, 2025 to those who have lost loved ones due to this pandemic. Call (844)684-6333 or TTY (800)462-7585 8 am - 8 pm Monday - Friday to apply. Visit website for more information regarding eligibility, what is covered, what is required, how does it work, and how to apply.

Disaster services include, assistance after disasters, working with the sheriff during local disasters, and meeting with disaster victims to meet emergency needs.

Assists with immediate needs following a natural disaster such as a fire or a flood. Works as a backup to governmental aid and the Red Cross. Response and recovery programs: - Advocacy: Certified social workers, human services aides, and officers are assigned to provide a professional level of assistance, including advocacy and referrals to private and public assistance programs - Clean-Up Efforts: Salvation Army may provide cleaning supplies along with a clean-up kit to individuals and families to assist in the restoration of their homes. Volunteers may be recruited to assist survivors with major cleaning of their homes. - Congregate Feeding: Salvation Army buildings and other sites used for preparation and service of meals to victims and relief personnel - Counseling: Individual, family, and group counseling and emotional support available through trained officers, personnel, and critical incident stress management - Donated Materials: During a major disaster, the generosity of Americans enables the Salvation Army to solicit and distribute donated goods. Salvation Army may elect to purchase and distribute basic commodities not readily available at the time of need. These may include, but are not limited to, food, water, health and sanitary needs, baby and child care products, medicines, bedding, and other items for which an immediate need exists. - Financial Assistance: Financial grants for immediate needs are made to victims who demonstrate need - Identification/Registration: Locates victims and provides information and communication to inquiring family and friends - Mobile Feeding: Mobile feeding units serve hot meals to victims and relief personnel on site - Reconstruction: Salvation Army may accept responsibility to coordinate or assist with reconstruction efforts - Shelter: Shelters may be established and maintained in Salvation Army facilities or other sites. Programs may include short term housing when shelters are not necessary. - Volunteer Services: Recruits, trains and utilizes volunteers. Registered volunteers may be provided with housing, meals and support services including transportation, if necessary and available.

Provides emergency funding to restaurant and beverage employees or owners, and restaurant/bar supplier employees who are facing unforeseen circumstances. The funds are used to help pay for essentials like groceries, clothing, medications, and may cover the cost of rent, natural disaster damages, lost wages, and more. There is no deadline for requests and no cap on the amount given. Types of crises the funds may help with include accidents, change of circumstance, housing crisis, medical/dental issue, natural disaster, or victims of crime/violence. Grants are awarded based on unforeseen financial crises, and applications must be submitted through the website to be considered. Southern Smoke will evaluate each case based on the state of an applicant's emergency.

FEMA works regularly with federal agencies to respond to disasters, provide disaster assistance, and prepare the nation. FEMA issues mission assignments in anticipation of, or in response to, a Presidential declaration of an emergency or major disaster. - Declaration policies and guidance - Disaster prevention information - Disaster-related case management - Disaster-related commodity replacement/rental - Disaster specific home repair - Disaster specific rent assistance - Federal Emergency Management Agency Offices and State Emergency Management Agencies - FEMA disaster assistance tele-registration - Fema trailers - General disaster preparedness information - Information on declared disasters and emergencies - Post-disaster loans, cash grants, crisis counseling, damage reporting hotlines, housing databanks, legal counseling, and rebuilding assistance

LAKE COUNTY Lake County Chamber of Commerce Call (218)391-5081 for places to stay in Lake County for displaced families SAINT LOUIS COUNTY American Red Cross Open Shelters Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for assistance with financial assistance, health services, mental health, and temporary shelter/housing. Animal Evacuation Locations Animal Allies - 4006 Airport Road, Duluth, MN 55803 - Phone: (218)722-5341 - Accepting animals needing a safe place to stay during evacuation, kennel space may be limited. Call ahead. Cook Country Connection 1953 Vermilion Drive Phone: (218)780-8611 Offering trailers and extra paddocks for space to help house animals and people Lake County Humane Society 415 20th Avenue, Two Harbors, MN 55616 Phone: (218)834-5806; Non-emergency Dispatch: (218)834-8385 Provides temporary shelter for pets of families impacted by the wildfire PJ's Rescue 2709 Piedmont Avenue, Duluth, MN 55811 Contact: Visit their Facebook page and message the agency directly Provides temporary shelter, supplies, or transport for pets of families impacted by the wildfire Pup North Pet Lodge 4271 Clyde Road, Eveleth, MN 55734 Phone: (218)969-7205; additional phone: (218)744-1477 Provides temporary shelter for any dog or cat that is displaced and pets of families impacted by the wildfire Puppa's Pals Email: [email protected] Provides temporary shelter for pets of families impacted by the wildfire. May also accept animals such as horses and livestock, depending on resources. Property Damage Reporting Residents who have damages to their private property in the recent wildfires in Saint Louis County, can fill out this form. The information will be used for future communication relating to potential relief.