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BEMIDJI 鈥� Community Resource Connections and the United Way of Bemidji Area have compiled a comprehensive list of storm-related resources.

Disaster distress helpline:

The helpline is open to anyone experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. This includes survivors of disasters; loved ones of victims; first responders; rescue, recovery, and relief workers and volunteers; clergy; and parents and caregivers.

"You may call for yourself or on behalf of someone else," a release noted. "This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7."

Call or text 1(800) 985-5990 or visit

Sanford Behavioral Health:

The Care Coordination Team can assist with Outpatient Behavioral Health Service questions and referral needs; this team is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (218) 333-4870.

Mobile Crisis Services offer emergency and crisis care. This team is available 24/7 to help adults and children during a mental health crisis.

"We can help you at your home, in the community, in the emergency room, or over the phone," the release said.

Mobile crisis or the mental health crises line can be reached by phone at (800) 422-0045.

Stellher Services: 

Stellher is screening for signs of storm related trauma and addressing those needs as they arise: Call (218) 444-2847. They are able to see adults and children. An application is required and they can bill insurance.

"We have heard rumors that wood chips are available to community members for free; made available by the storm debris," the release said. "Be aware that the county is not providing free pick up of these chips at the Target back parking area.

"They do have some potential commercial buyers lined up, but even that is still weeks down the road. Callers have wanted to use the debris to fill holes left by fallen trees. At least to date, we are told that this is not a thing."

If a renter is told by their landlord that they will need to relocate while repairs are made to damages, the renter should:

• Check their lease to see if it addresses this situation
• Contact their renter insurance carrier
• Contact Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota to consult on obligations of the landlord

To apply for free legal help, call 1(800) 450-8585,  walk into any Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota office or apply online at

General office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. During the summer, all offices close at 3 p.m. on Fridays.

Staff of the Minnesota Department of Commerce are planning to be in person at the old First National Bank building at 318 5th Street NW at the following times:

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 17
• 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 18

Insurance experts can speak on:

• How to make an insurance claim
• How to document the damage to your property
• What to expect during the claims handling process
• Common coverage issues on homeowner鈥檚 insurance policies relating to storm damage
• If you are having communication problems with your insurance company, how the department can help
• How you can file a complaint with the department if you believe your insurance company has not handled your claim properly
• What other state agencies you can contact about out-of-state contractors or scammers
• Anything else having to do with insurance claims

Commerce staff are available Monday through Friday to take calls at 1(800) 657-3602, option 3 and then Option 1, or the main office at (651) 539-1500 at no expense to the caller. 

To file an insurance-related complaint online, email consumer.protection@state.mn.us.

For more information, visit

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry regulates contractors and construction. Questions or problems can be reported to this agency by calling 1(800) 342-5354.

To make sure the contractor you are using is licensed call (651) 284-5034 or visit and choose the 鈥渃heck a license鈥� status. Callers are encouraged to stay away from using unlicensed providers as they can leave the state without notice in the middle of a job and can be nearly impossible to hold accountable.

Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs 鈥� Disaster Relief Grant:

A disaster relief grant is available for veterans and surviving spouses. Up to $500 in assistance. Contact the Beltrami County Veterans Service Office to complete the application, find out if you are eligible and get help with your application: (218) 333-4192.

A central location for Beltrami County residents during the storm emergency has been the old First National Bank building in downtown Bemidji. That site closed on July 2.

The supplies that were available there have been moved to 616 America Ave. NW on the first floor while supplies last. Residents may visit the county office during regular business hours to obtain things like hygiene products, bottled water, CRC resource directories, snacks, donated household cleaning supplies, etc.

Hot meals are no longer available to the public by Salvation Army providers. The American Red Cross has had all of their home assessment volunteers leave Bemidji, except for two housing assessment workers and two individual emergency response volunteers. Call Red Cross at 1(866) 667-9331.

Although the state has already decided not to pursue FEMA/federal dollars for this emergency, having a housing assessment completed by Red Cross can help local providers where to invest donated dollars. Residents may also be eligible for very minimal Red Cross vouchers.

Most organizations/agencies are reporting that they are returning to business as usual. Many homeowners are not feeling that sense of completion, the release noted.

United Way and Community Resource Connections continue to field calls attempting to match people in need with resources and donations.

The Northwest Minnesota Association of Realtors has received $50,000 in funds for Beltrami County residents, which can be given as direct assistance to qualified households in amounts up to $1,000.

There is an application and requirements, but no 1099 will be sent.

Who can apply:

1. Homeowners: Monthly mortgage expense for the primary residence that was damaged by the disaster.
2. Renters: Rental cost due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the disaster.
3. Hotel reimbursement due to displacement from the primary residence resulting from the disaster.

Relief assistance is limited to a maximum of $1,000 per household. The local contact is Wendy Reierson. Her number is (218) 751-2852 and her email is nwmnar@gmail.com.

For more information, including the application and required documents, visit

People in need of something storm related should call (218) 333-0880 to make the need known.

"Please let people know that, although their need will be recorded, we are currently prioritizing tree cutting, removal from buildings and driveways, and food resources," the release said. "We want to be sure that everyone has the ability to get out of their home and access services.

"We are hoping that we will be able to move to less basic needs by late July. We are organizing to try to accommodate needs using volunteers and local donations; but we are trying to make sure we are focusing on critical situations first.

"If/when funds become available through donations, donors, and grants we will contact callers to address their particular needs."

The release asks to let your contacts know:

• There will not be money coming from the government, state or county to 鈥渞eimburse鈥� their expenses related to the storm. State aid may be available to help county and city agencies fix damage to infrastructure by the storm; but it is not the kind of funding that would make payments to individual homeowners.
• Homeowners and car insurance is what can provide reimbursement for expenses.
• When/if resources that address the financial and physical needs that the public is experiencing due to the storm, become available 鈥� CRC will use the list of people who have called in to notify them of resources.
• While CRC is arranging periodic food drops and providing information about food access on our call-in line, it does not foresee ever having funds that will replace the contents of freezers and refrigerators where food was lost due to power outages.
• CRC is collecting information about insurance deductibles that are unaffordable, structure, well and chimney damage, and car damage.  If CRC is able to find financial resources to assist households with these costs, it will notify them when such resources are available.
• Leech Lake Nation has its own Emergency Response Teams; they have resources that non-tribal members do not have access to.

If you have time, energy and or dollars to donate; call United Way at (218) 444-8929.

"These food programs exist to support families in need 鈥� anyone having lost food in the storm is encouraged to participate," the release noted.

Bemidji Community Food Shelf: Open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The Bemidji Community Food Shelf is locate at 1260 Exchange Ave SE.

Clearwater County Food Shelf: Open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday. The Clearwater County Food Shelf is located at 114 Main Ave. N Bagley.

Ruby鈥檚 Pantry: Distributes food in Bemidji on the third Wednesday of each month. Register online at or register on site starting at 4 p.m.

The next pop-up pantry is set for Wednesday, July 16. Food bundles will be available from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Sanford Center, 1111 Event Center Drive NE.

North Country Food Bank Food Drops: Happen as announced on the website calendar at

Community Table: Hot meals served on site. The entire community is invited and there are no eligibility guidelines. Meals are served from 5 to 6 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday at Mt. Zion Church, and from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday at United Methodist Church.