The First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania has awarded $264,725 in grants through the Lycoming County Disaster Relief Fund to 11 nonprofit organizations.
The fund was established in response to the widespread flooding in the county as a result of Tropical Storm Lee on Sept. 7 and 8.
United Churches of Lycoming County received $52,613 to provide long-term assistance to flood victims who do not have adequate personal resources for basic needs, said the Rev. Gwen Bernstine, executive director of the organization.
"(The money is) to help people that have been flooded," Bernstine said. "We want to help them get their lives back in order. We're opening a long-term flood recovery office."
For the people who do not have basic needs because of the flooding, the grant money will help volunteers clean up and pay for building repairs, spiritual counseling, furniture and permanent housing relocation.
Bernstine does not know how long it will take to help everyone.
"We're still in the beginning stage. You think it's been a long time," she said, but people still are waiting on information about whether they will receive aid from the Federal Emergency and Pennsylvania Emergency management agencies.
Many flood victims received enough short-term help but will need long-term assistance, Bernstine said.
"What we will do is ... look for people floundering," she said, "the people sitting in the house with the mold growing, who don't know what to do."
Bernstine said that when the flood began, the churches wanted to help immediately and now they want to continue to help.
Different denominations excel at different tasks, she said.
"We have the Presbyterians gearing up and being the host of the incoming work groups," Bernstine said. "United Methodists do that well, but one of their real major things is to train case workers that are going to work with families ... The denominations are used to working together. (It's) sort of amazing how it happens, but it does."
But that's just one grant made this week from the fund. The largest grant went to STEP Inc. for $114,614. Rachelle Abbott, the organization's director of planning, said the money will be distributed to two programs that will assist with flood relief.
The first program is the affordable Housing Gap Funding Program, which will help flood victims pay for temporary housing. The other program is the Homes in Need Flood Recovery Program.
The Homes in Need program will help homeowners who can return to their homes but lack the skills to put in drywall or other projects.
"We will go in with trained staff and assist people and we will do it for them," Abbott said.
STEP Inc. is working with other long-term recovery organizations.
"We're assisting flood victims in a coordinated effort," Abbott said. "It helps the limited resources go much farther."
With all of the funds available, Abbott said she hopes to help at least 20 homes, spending around $12,000 each.
"It all depends on the different homes," she said. "Some people might just need insulation, or a whole new furnace. It could be a variety of things."
She said they will work with auditors to determine how much it will cost to make each home habitable. She said she would like all of the funds to be disbursed by September 2012.
In the eastern end of the county, Muncy Area Volunteer Fire Co. received $16,394 to replace its portable pumps.
Daniel Knapp, president of the fire company, said the ones they have are from the 1950s or earlier. About seven or eight trash and water pumps will be replaced.
"We have enough to be able to help the community as quickly as possible for the next flood," he said.
When the flood began, he said volunteers helped with water rescues and searches.
"After the flood waters died down, we went through the community in flood areas, pumping basements," he said.
The way the fire companies worked together was the most memorable part of the flood for Knapp.
"It's pretty amazing," he said. "A lot of the local fire companies got together and helped each other, and we could pump the basements within a day or two."
Also on the list for grant funding are:
American Red Cross Northcentral Pennsylvania Chapter, $6,765 to replenish the basic needs for their shelter manager and health kits.
American Rescue Workers Inc., $10,000 to provide assistance to flood victims with basic needs, household furnishings and rental assistance.
Christian Life Fellowship, $3,000 to replace the church water well.
Clinton County CleanScapes, $8,726 to provide on-going cleanup efforts to safely remove man-made debris from public lands and waterways.
Community of Volunteers of Our Lady of Lourdes, $32,613 to assist with water heater replacement and home furnishings for flood victims.
Jersey Shore Area YMCA, $2,000 to renovate and replace items damaged in the lobby, locker rooms, maintenance office and childcare space.
Picture Rocks Volunteer Fire Co., $15,000 to purchase a new generator for the fire company.
Veterans Memorial Park of Picture Rocks, $3,000 to repair the brick walkways, gardens and landscaping.
The First Community Foundation received funding requests totaling $555,310.
