Essa Township has set a deadline for residents affected by the June tornado to apply for a share of a community trust fund.
$140,000 in donations, raised through fundraising efforts following the tornado, has been placed in a fund to help cover costs not paid for by insurance.
Residents have until January 31 to apply for a share of the fund.
Some, like resident Krystal Edwards, think the trust fund should be distributed to everyone affected – not just those who weren’t covered by insurance.
“Considering that everybody donated with no specific criteria in mind, it should be donated to everyone equally whether you had insurance or not.”
However, both Essa's Mayor and Deputy Mayor say council appointed an independent committee to look after how the relief money will be distributed.
Some residents argue that the deadline is too soon, because they’re still waiting for repairs to be performed, or, in some cases, for insurance claims to be finished.
Residents held a meeting to talk about their concerns on Sunday night.
