How to help DeKalb residents affected by apartment fire

DeKALB – DeKalb area agencies are coordinating relief efforts to the estimated 60 residents who lost their homes due to an apartment fire Sunday.

Representatives from the City of DeKalb, DeKalb Township, the American Red Cross, Rooted for Good and Family Service Agency of DeKalb County set up informational tables at Red Roof Inn, 1212 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, to welcome affected residents Monday.

Those displaced by the fire are encouraged to stay connected to those organizations which can help them access temporary housing, food and other means to replace lost items.

DeKalb Township Supervisor Mary Hess helped mobilize outreach and aid efforts Sunday night. She and others, including Rylie Loucks-Kues of the Family Service Agency and Jennifer Yochem with the city of DeKalb, were still at it Monday morning at Red Roof Inn.

“I’m just so proud to live in a community that takes care of each other,” Hess said, growing emotional. “Especially this time of year when we’re all so busy.”

Volunteer helpers were up and out early Monday morning to provide breakfast for the approximately 20 families currently staying at Red Roof Inn as they grapple with next steps after losing their homes.

Loucks-Kues said affected residents ranged in ages. A few Northern Illinois University international students also were impacted.

“Lots of kids,” Loucks-Kues said. “We have babies all the way to high school-aged.”

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The rear of 1024 W. Hillcrest Drive, is taped off to residents and passersby on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, after the City of DeKalb condemned the building less than 24 hours following a major fire on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. The fire displaced an estimated 60 residents in the three-building complex. Debris and charred remnants of the building lay scattered around the parking lot Monday. (Kelsey Rettke)

Though the City condemned 1024 W. Hillcrest Drive, the two other buildings in the complex, 934 and 930 W. Hillcrest, are currently uninhabitable. Yochem said she hopes not all is lost for good in those buildings.

“We’re hoping that once the State Fire Marshall goes through the building, we’ll be able to send in police and fire to get items for families,” Yochem said.

Another positive? Renter’s insurance, Loucks-Kues said. The residential complex’s landlord required all tenants to have renter’s insurance, she said. That will help provide temporary housing as families look to rebuild.

The Family Service Agency also offers interpreters and employs staff who are bilingual and Spanish speakers, so residents who don’t speak English shouldn’t hesitate to reach out. The agency also connected all affected families with vouchers for Goodwill and The Salvation Army. Each family also was given a $200 gift card from DeKalb Township to help with finances, Yochem said.

Pierre Nkundabemera, community development program manager with the Red Cross' Quad Cities branch said residents can call 800-733-2767 24/7 if they haven’t yet connected with the group. The American Red Cross is assisting authorities on damage assessment for the apartment buildings, he said.

Those in DeKalb Township can call 815-758-8262 to be connected to emergency assistance including for rent, utilities and employment if needed to get back on their feet.

What to donate: meals, cutlery, gift cards

If people have clothes they wish to donate, they should drop items off at area thrift stores like Goodwill, which has a better capacity to sort and store items, Loucks-Kues said.

Organizers are not accepting physical donations of clothing, lost holiday gifts or other household items at this time. Instead, they ask that anyone looking to offer a helping hand do so by donating money or gift cards for residents to replace lost items. Organizers also are welcoming anyone who wants to donate hot meals for the group to do so.

Dinner will be offered to displaced residents at 4 p.m. daily this week at Red Roof Inn, even on Christmas Day. Organizers also are in need of items such as plates, utensils, cups, napkins and tableware.

DeKalb-based Lehan’s and the Family Service Agency’s Children’s Advocacy Center are organizing efforts to help replace holiday gifts and items for the affected families. Dunkin Donuts, Panera, Jewel-Osco and Schnucks also organized breakfast and other meals for the families Monday morning, Hess said. Vinny’s Pizza is donating gift certificates for residents. Tails Humane Society has offered help for families who have pets.

‘Tis the season for overnight community mobilization in DeKalb.

“Our community is amazing,” Hess said.

Looking to lend a hand? Here’s some other ways to help, according to organizers:

Donate money or gift cards

Family Service Agency of DeKalb County is accepting monetary and gift card donations to help house, feed and clothe the affected residents. The agency is not accepting physical donations of clothing, food or housewares.

Those interested in donating should contact Loucks-Kues, director of community programming and outreach, by emailing rlouckskues@fsadekalbcounty.org or calling 815-758-8616 ext. 1200. Online donations can be made at www.mygiving.net/donate/fsadekalbcounty.

Monetary donations will go to cover temporary housing, hotels, transportation and other urgent needs. Gifts cards are welcomed for clothing stores, local restaurants, Uber, grocery stores and other shops where families can purchase basic necessities.

Food on the go

Rooted For Good, formerly DeKalb County Community Gardens, has a traveling mobile food pantry and a food pantry kitchen in Genoa, both which provide free food and other household items to all residents, no questions asked.

The Genoa food pantry, 415 W. Main St., is open on the first and third Mondays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. of every month, and the second and fourth Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Grow Mobile food pantry sets up pop-up locations around the county monthly. To view the mobile’s multiple January locations, visit www.rootedforgood.org.

Heather Edwards, executive director of Rooted For Good, said her staff also were at Red Roof Inn providing food and informational flyers.

Edwards said community members looking to help are welcome to donate food items to Rooted For Good to distribute. Preferred items should be shelf-stable, instant or microwaveable that do not require heating up, since the families staying at the hotel don’t have a kitchen.

“We are here to help the community,” Edwards said. “It’s times like these where it seems like there’s always such a huge outpouring of help from the community and that is just awesome. I’m proud to live in this county.”

New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb shared a Facebook post Monday offering aid to families and any church members impacted.

Families and those impacted were directed late Sunday night to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 830 N. Annie Glidden Road, to receive aid, Fire Chief Mike Thomas said. The church was opened Sunday night to coordinate relief efforts, which have since moved to station at Red Roof Inn.

This story was updated at 12:50 p.m. Dec. 23, 2024. This story was updated at 3:47 p.m. Dec. 23, 2024. Additional updates could occur.