Four groups assisting with area flood recovery efforts had more than 1 million reasons to smile Monday after Catholic Charities North Dakota announced a major gift.
Catholic Charities presented the groups with more than $1 million to help continue their work with flood victims. The grant will provide $750,000 to Recovery Warehouse for buying building supplies; $150,000 to the Souris River Basin Unmet Needs Committee; $100,000 to Mennonite Disaster Service; and $25,000 to honor Resources Agency Flood Team volunteers and cover that group's administrative costs.
It was a whopping and greatly appreciated contribution to be sure, and it will boost the continuing efforts of the receiving groups. More building materials will be purchased and more recovering flood victims will be aided in getting back into their homes because of the generous grant.
Catholic Charities USA had already been providing money to Catholic Charities North Dakota, and the national organization encouraged the state affiliate to apply for a grant. The North Dakota group did, asking or $250,000. Instead, the national organization provided a $1 million grant.
There certainly have been an abundance of donations large and small during the continuing flood recovery, and there will no doubt be more to come. We are thankful for all contributions that help displaced flood victims return to their homes or find new forms of permanent housing.