INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Multi-Agency Resource Center is planning to close at the end of the day on Friday, said Matt Tanner, executive director for United Against Poverty of Indian River County. Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton will be able to visit the FEMA Disaster Relief Center at the Intergenerational Center, which will open as early as Saturday.
“Right now, we’re looking at the MARC running through the end of the day tomorrow, which will then transition into the opening of the Disaster Relief Center. If we need to extend into next week, we will,” Tanner said on Thursday. “When the MARC closes down, the agencies here will transition back to their respective locations and offer the same services. If people need to have continued conversations about extended disaster relief services they qualify for, they’ll do it with FEMA representatives at the Disaster Relief Center.”
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Tanner said United Against Poverty will send out alerts through partners, social media, radio, fliers, and more about the plans to close the resource center. Tanner said FEMA representatives were also at the resource center for families who need to start the application process for resources.
“As folks continue to come in and look for resources and support, we’ll make sure to direct them to the right locations,” Tanner said. “We’ve had truckloads of donations from different organizations. If families need to come in and replenish their fridges or pantries, if they need tarps, cleaning supplies, diapers, baby food, vouchers, all that is being administered here.”
The Multi-Agency Resource Center opened as a one-stop shop on Monday in response to the damaging impacts tornadoes created by Hurricane Milton left throughout Indian River County. Dozens of homes were destroyed and thousands of residents were without power for several days.
“(MARC) is a common disaster relief strategy where when you’ve got a huge community that’s been impacted and there are multiple agencies that are in a position to provide support…trying to find a way to bring all those agencies under one roof so individuals and families and get all the resources they need,” Tanner said. “We’ve seen over one thousand families from the community.”
The center, operated at United Against Poverty’s main building at 1400 27th Street in Vero Beach, officially launched on Monday to help residents. Some of the organizations helping residents inside the center are FEMA, American Red Cross, United Way of Indian River County, The Salvation Army, The Samaritan Center, The Veterans Council of Indian River County, Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council, Substance Awareness Center of Indian River County, Habitat for Humanity and more.
“The (MARC) is where you need to come,” Tanner said. “This is a case and point for what makes Indian River County such a special place, to have this amount of nonprofits that can work side-by-side to find collaborative solutions. It’s a beautiful model. We’ve got a lot of great partners. All of us are very proud of the work we’re able to do to support our community.”
United Against Poverty’s mission is to inspire individuals and families reach sustainable economic self-sufficiency. The nonprofit has programs that help with work force development, groceries, crisis stabilization and community partnerships.
Services available at the Multi-Agency Resource Center:
- Family food vouchers
- Emotional care and counseling
- Rental and housing assistance
- Enrollment in benefits programs
- Unemployment assistance
- Food assistance
- Recovery information
- Legal advice and representation
- Home repair assistance and referrals
