St. Louis Community Takes Charge: Self-Organized Relief Efforts Fill Gaps Left by Federal Delay
Source: Kayla Reed, Action St Louis/The People's Response Hub / Kayla Reed, Action St Louis/The People's Response Hub
Communities across St. Louis have taken action while the Trump administration plays games with approving disaster relief after devastating storms hit the region last week. While city officials initially urged people not to set up independent relief efforts, a grassroots coalition led by four Black-led organizations established the People's Response Hub to meet the moment.
According to a statement posted Friday. Action St. Louis, ForTheCultureSTL, 4theVille, and Invest STL grounded the effort in core values of community and care.
After continued assessment of the evolving needs of impacted households and communities, we are announcing the extension of the two Northside relief hubs through Saturday, May 31.
Thousands of volunteers from across the region have mobilized to support our city, and thousands of supply donations have been made. The people have consistently shown up since the tornado came through St. Louis, and we couldn't be more proud of the place we call home.
Visit actionstl.org/tornado for resident support, to volunteer, or to donate.
We love you, St. Louis!
For nearly a week, the People's Response Hub has served as a central reference point for distributing information and resources to people in need.
'Our response is rooted in the belief that every neighborhood deserves care, resources, and respect,' read a message on the Action St. Louis website. 'We are mobilizing volunteers, supplies, and support to ensure our people are not left behind as recovery begins.'
Organizers with the People's Response Hub set up a form for residents to share information about who is in need or what areas need resources to streamline support further. Coordination across various efforts has provided direction to volunteers, provided meals to those in need, and materials necessary for rebuilding. On Wednesday alone, the Hub served 2,100 meals and 450 families. By the end of the day Friday, over 1,000 volunteers showed up and showed out. Response teams even have dog and cat food for those trying to make it through and still care for their furbabies.
The saying 'we keep us safe' takes on a new meaning in the aftermath of disaster. A community activated in the wake of Michael Brown Jr.'s murder over 10 years ago, Black St. Louis residents aren't strangers to filling in the gaps. This week also marked Brown's 29th birthday. Ohun Ashe, founder of ForTheCultureSTL, attributed the robust nature of the effort to the organizing after Brown's murder.
'The People's Response wouldn't exist if he didn't exist,' wrote Ashe. 'There would be no For The Culture STL or Action St. Louis. Mike Brown Jr birthed our activism and organizing skills. His life taught us this. We are here because of him.'
In an Instagram live on Thursday afternoon, former Rep. Cori Bush highlighted available resources.
She encouraged people to get what they needed and take stuff for neighbors who could not make the trip.
'If you cannot make it and you need some help, or if you know someone who is stuck in their home, my team, we will be hitting the street here in about an hour and a half, um, to come knock on people's doors… We'll be up and down the streets on the north side, on the west side,' she said. 'We've been doing it all week. So let me know…just DM me. DM me an address or street, and we'll come.
Given the ongoing need on the city's northside, People's Response Hub will continue its relief efforts at two hubs through Saturday, May 31.
As we've seen over the last several years, mutual aid is necessary to ensure our families and communities have what they need to thrive. Founded in 2016, Action St. Louis is committed to building 'political power for disenfranchised communities in the St. Louis region.' It also 'envisions a region where Black people are empowered to take bold action towards transforming our own communities, making St. Louis a place where every Black life is valued and affirmed.'
Those unable to donate their time and talents to this effort can share a little of their treasure by donating to Action St. Louis, an anchor for the relief effort.
'We're trying to do our best to make sure that everybody who is impacted…who needs help can get the help,' Bush said. 'I know what it's like to be in a position to where you know you sometimes you don't even know what you need, or you think that your needs are so basic that you won't be able to get that taken care of.'
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St. Louis Community Takes Charge: Self-Organized Relief Efforts Fill Gaps Left by Federal Delay was originally published on newsone.com
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