WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Families who were put out of their homes due to the Winston Weaver plant fire can now call a hotline to get reimbursed for hotel expenses.
Weaver Fertilizer Company distributed funds to 'Love Out Loud Winston-Salem' to help residents who were within the one-mile radius of evacuations, according to Winston-Salem assistant city manager Patrice Toney.
"Residents need to show proof of residency and hotel receipts," the city's email states.
Evacuees can call 336-747-3067.
Last week, Weaver announced it would donate $100,000 to help those impacted by the fire. Most of the funds will go to Love Out Loud and Second Harvest Food Bank.
"We want to get these funds out so they can help the community that had an expense last week that they didn't expect," Weaver Fertilizer spokesperson Andrew Carroll said.
Love Out Loud Winston-Salem received $50,000 from Weaver. In a statement, Weaver said the group made up of local churches is "helping meet the needs of our neighbors through reimbursements of hotel stays for those evacuated during the fire. If you were displaced and stayed in a hotel, you can be reimbursed by Love Out Loud for those charges by providing a hotel receipt and proof of residence within the 1-mile evacuation zone."
Crystal Barnes is among those who've applied for the money. She and her three kids spend a few days in a hotel due to the fire last week.
"Just during those couple of days, I spent $500 and that’s a lot just at the spur of the moment," Barnes said.
Norvell McDowell initially stayed in a Red Cross shelter but later had his hotel room costs covered by a local donor. He is seeking a reimbursement from Love Out Loud to pay for other expenses like food.
"Whether it's going to be enough to take care of 6,500 people, I don't know but at least they are trying to compensate a little bit," McDowell said.
Second Harvest Food Bank received $25,000 from Weaver. The organization is helping provide food to impacted families.
Weaver said it "will be reserving $25,000 of the total $100,000 for allocation to help meet additional needs of our neighbors."
"We want to thank Love Out Loud, Second Harvest Food Bank, and all the other community organizations providing support for the neighbors of Winston Weaver right now," Weaver Fertilizer Company said in a statement on Tuesday.