Storm Relief of a Different Kind

This past weekend, a storm ripped through southern Illinois leaving many without food and electricity. 

An agency in the area has begun handing out gift cards as a way to help out those affected.

The Crosswalk Community Action Agency (CCAA) saw the devastation caused by the recent storm and wanted to help out.  They set up stations in the towns of Herrin, Marion, Murphysboro and Carbondale to distribute the cards.

The CCAA planned to distribute over $30,000 in $20 gift cards redeemable at places like Wal-Mart and Kroger.  But it wasn’t as easy as just buying the cards – store employees had to find and activate around 750 cards from both stores.

"Some say wedding and birthday and baby but who cares?” said CCAA Director Debbie Jackanicz, “they could get something if they hadn't had a hot meal."  Further, since this was a natural disaster, it was much easier for the CCAA to give aid.

"All of our normal rules went right out the window,” Jackanicz stated.  The CCAA simply needed a bit of family information on a form and storm victims were able to obtain their gift cards.