The Community Action Agency got help Thursday from two unexpected sources: one in Washington D.

Friday, August 10, 2001

The Community Action Agency got help Thursday from two unexpected sources: one in Washington D.C. and one in Albert Lea.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agreed to provide almost $13,000 in emergency assistance to eligible Farmland workers. The money will go to meet immediate utility, rent and mortgage needs.

Earlier in the day, City Auto Glass donated $5,000 to help with housing and utility expenses for dislocated Farmland employees. The company is located in South St. Paul with a service location in Albert Lea.

Community Action director Collette Turcotte said the money will help the agency continue its efforts to help Farmland families in the aftermath of the July 8 fire that destroyed more than a third of the pork-processing plant, shutting it down indefinitely.

&uot;Most of this money is already designated to families that we know need the assistance,&uot; Turcotte said. &uot;We still have a lot of workers and their families who are struggling to make it right now.&uot;

Turcotte said she requested $50,000 from FEMA, but is happy that the agency agreed to give anything. With pressure from Senators Mark Dayton and Paul Wellstone, FEMA granted the request, though not for the full amount.

&uot;I am thrilled that FEMA has decided to help the workers and families whose lives were upended because of this fire,&uot; Dayton said.

&uot;Farmland workers and their families need this federal assistance, and I’m very happy that FEMA is doing the right thing,&uot; Wellstone agreed.

But, while Community Action requested the FEMA assistance, the donation from City Auto Glass was a pleasant surprise.

&uot;We wanted to help the families with something real like rent and utilities,&uot; said company owner Mark St. Peter. &uot;South St. Paul is also an old meat-packing town, and people there know about the ups and downs of the industry.&uot;

Turcotte said other organizations have decided to contribute to the cause, including $7,500 from Catholic Charities, $10,000 from Farmland Foods and $15,000 from the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning.

&uot;Every piece is crucial,&uot; said Turcotte. &uot;All the organizations involved in the Farmland relief effort are in need of support from the community.&uot;