Written by Gabrielle Pack, Intern with The Messenger

A new organization seeks to meet the unmet needs of local families who were impacted by the Christmas Day tornadoes.

The Pike County Interfaith Disaster Response Committee is joining forces with relief agencies by aiding recovery to victims with unmet needs. The first meeting will be held Monday at the Senior Complex for agencies to discuss the resources available.

“Unmet needs is a program designed to help everyone in the community,” said Jessi Williams, director assistant with the EMA.

Organizations such as the Red Cross, United Methodist Church, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army will lend a helping hand in gathering resources for this project.

“(The program) meets the immediate needs of the victims,” said Lawrence Bowden, coordinator of the Pike County Interfaith Disaster Response Committee.

Bowden said people who’ve lost mobile homes or aren’t able to replace their homes will be able to do so with the help of the donations. While many of the agencies donate food, shelter, and clothing others play a huge part in the rebuilding process of the homes that had been previously destroyed.

“Money is limited, so we do need people to make donations,” Bowden said. Bowden said that all monetary donations will benefit only the Pike County families.

The group will finalize the application process on Monday.