Cargill Foundation gives $500K in flood aid

Duluth flood
In this aerial photo, waters from an overflowing nearby creek inundate homes in the Irving Park neighborhood of Duluth, Minn., on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. Residents evacuated their homes and animals escaped from pens at a zoo as floods fed by a steady torrential downpour struck northeastern Minnesota, inundating the city of Duluth, officials said.
AP Photo/The Duluth News-Tribune, Bob King

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- Community leaders in Duluth are announcing a $500,000 grant to help those still recovering from June flash floods that damaged 1,700 homes.

The Duluth News Tribune reports the grant announced Sunday is from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation of Eden Prairie. It's the largest single outside donation to help recovery efforts in the region.

The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation says the money will go toward three areas.

Among them, it will help support disaster case managers for Lutheran Social Services, who act as advocates to help clients get their homes back to pre-flood condition. It will also help rebuild nonprofits affected by the floods.

Community Foundation president Holly Sampson says the grant will help recovery efforts surge forward. She says critical work remains, especially as winter approaches.

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