More than a Dozen Agencies, Organizations to Participate in Silver Spring Financial Recovery Workshop

From the Comptroller of Maryland:

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Federal, state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations will join together at a one-stop financial recovery workshop in Silver Spring September 1 to assist those affected by the recent explosion and fire that killed at least seven people. Other Montgomery County residents are invited to attend as well to learn about government assistance programs.

Agency experts and community organizations will be available to assist displaced residents and those who lost family members to help them recover from the tragedy and to offer advice and assistance to others in need.

“We wanted to pull together state, county, federal and private sector resources to help those who are struggling, some of whom are finding they have to start from scratch,” Comptroller Peter Franchot said.

Numerous Montgomery County Council members and state and federal elected officials have been invited. The workshop will be from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, September 1, at the Long Branch Community Recreation Center, 8700 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring. The Recreation Center is just a few blocks away from the Flower Branch Apartments complex where an August 10 natural gas explosion caused the death of seven, including two young children.

Participants so far:

• Local Government
• Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services
• State Government
• Comptroller of Maryland
• Maryland Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Division
• Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
• Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
• Maryland Insurance Administration
• Federal Government
• Community Action Agency, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of the Treasury
• Nonprofit Organizations
• A Wider Circle
• CASA De Maryland
• Coalition for the Advancement of Financial Education (CAFÉ) of Montgomery County
• Maryland Creating Assets, Savings and Hope (CASH) Campaign
• Maryland Hunger Solutions
• Montgomery Housing Partnership

Comptroller Franchot asks any victims who are worried about outstanding tax debts contact Mariela Cruz from his agency for assistance, at 410-260-4020 or by email at mcruz@comp.state.md.us.

Interested citizens who would like to help the affected residents can donate cash, checks or gift cards through the Montgomery Housing Partnership. Donations can be made online at www.MHPartners.org, or by mailing them to Montgomery Housing Partnership – Attention Long Branch Fire, 12200 Tech Road, Suite 250, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Write “Long Branch Fire” on the check.

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