What Is a MARC?

Multi-Agency Resource Centers: Bringing Help to Survivors in One Place

Updated January 2025 | 12 min read

What Is a MARC?

A Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) is a one-stop-shop event where disaster survivors can access multiple assistance programs under one roof. Instead of driving across town to visit ten different agencies, survivors visit one location and talk to everyone at once.

MARC in a Nutshell

A gym, community center, or church fellowship hall. Tables around the perimeter. FEMA at one table, Red Cross at another, insurance companies, social services, nonprofits, and local assistance programs. Survivors walk in, get checked in, and visit each table they need. One trip, multiple agencies, maximum help.

MARCs typically happen in the first 2-4 weeks after a disaster, during the relief phase when survivors are still figuring out what they've lost and what help is available. They're coordination events—not handouts—designed to connect survivors with the right resources quickly.

What Survivors Get at a MARC

  • FEMA registration and Individual Assistance information
  • Insurance company representatives to start or expedite claims
  • Red Cross assistance (emergency supplies, comfort kits)
  • SBA disaster loan information (home and business)
  • Local nonprofit assistance programs
  • Mental health and crisis counseling
  • Food stamps (SNAP) and emergency benefits
  • Unemployment assistance
  • Legal aid for landlord/tenant and insurance issues
  • Volunteer organization sign-ups (home repair, cleanup)

Why MARCs Matter

Disaster recovery is bureaucratic. Survivors often need to interact with a dozen different agencies, each with their own hours, locations, requirements, and paperwork. For someone who just lost their home, car, and sense of normalcy, navigating this maze is overwhelming.

67%
of survivors don't know what assistance is available to them
12+
agencies a typical survivor may need to contact
1
location makes all the difference

The Problem MARCs Solve

I spent the first week after the tornado just driving around. Monday to FEMA, Tuesday to Red Cross, Wednesday to DHS for food stamps, Thursday back to FEMA because I forgot a document. I was burning gas I couldn't afford and missing work I couldn't afford to miss. If someone had put everyone in one place, I could have handled it all in one afternoon.

Tornado Survivor Oklahoma, 2024

MARCs reduce survivor burden by:

  • Consolidating travel—one trip instead of many
  • Cross-referencing needs—Agency A can tell Agency B what the survivor needs
  • Catching gaps—"Did anyone tell you about SBA loans?" happens naturally
  • Building trust—survivors see organizations working together
  • Creating urgency—agencies show up ready to help, not just inform

Who Participates in a MARC?

The strength of a MARC comes from diversity of resources. The more agencies at the table, the more likely a survivor leaves with real help.

Federal Agencies

Agency What They Provide
FEMA Individual Assistance registration, Transitional Sheltering Assistance, housing info
SBA Low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses
HUD Housing assistance, fair housing info, rental assistance programs
SSA Social Security benefit issues, replacement cards, address changes

State & Local Government

Agency What They Provide
DHS / Social Services Emergency SNAP (food stamps), TANF, Medicaid
Employment Security Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
Health Department Mental health referrals, crisis counseling, WIC
Emergency Management Disaster declarations, local resource info, permit waivers

Nonprofit Organizations

Organization What They Provide
American Red Cross Emergency financial assistance, comfort kits, casework
Salvation Army Food, clothing, emotional/spiritual care
Catholic Charities Case management, financial assistance, housing
Local Churches/Faith Orgs Volunteer labor, meals, emergency funds
Community Foundation Disaster relief fund disbursement
Legal Aid Insurance disputes, landlord issues, FEMA appeals

Private Sector

Organization What They Provide
Insurance Companies Claims processing, adjuster appointments, questions
Utility Companies Service restoration, billing holds, deposit waivers
Banks/Credit Unions Payment deferrals, emergency loans, fee waivers

Pro Tip: Invite Insurance Companies

Insurance is often survivors' biggest frustration. Having actual insurance company representatives at your MARC—not just "call this number"—dramatically increases survivor satisfaction. Companies are usually willing to participate; you just have to ask.

MARC vs. DRC: What's the Difference?

You'll hear both terms in disaster response. They're related but different.

Feature MARC (Multi-Agency Resource Center) DRC (Disaster Recovery Center)
Run by Local/state emergency management or VOAD FEMA
Duration 1-3 days (event-based) Weeks to months (ongoing)
Focus Multiple agencies, broad assistance FEMA programs specifically
Timing Usually Days 3-21 post-disaster Opens after FEMA arrives, stays for duration
Who decides? Local community FEMA (requires federal declaration)

No Federal Declaration? You Can Still Hold a MARC

FEMA DRCs require a federal disaster declaration. MARCs don't. If your community experiences a disaster that doesn't meet federal thresholds, you can still organize a MARC with state, local, and nonprofit partners. FEMA won't be there, but most other resources will.

Planning a MARC

A successful MARC requires 5-14 days of planning. Here's the checklist:

Week Before: Logistics

  • Secure venue—Need 5,000+ sq ft, parking, ADA accessible, restrooms
  • Confirm date/time—Weekday evenings + Saturday work best for working survivors
  • Invite agencies—Email template below; follow up by phone
  • Create floor plan—Table assignments, flow direction, registration area
  • Arrange tables/chairs—2 tables per agency (one for materials, one for conversation)
  • Plan signage—Agency names at tables, directional signs, welcome banner
  • Coordinate interpreters—Spanish at minimum; check community demographics

Agency Invitation Template

Subject: MARC Event [Date] - Your Agency Invited

We are organizing a Multi-Agency Resource Center for survivors of [disaster name] on [date] at [location]. This one-day event will bring together federal, state, and nonprofit agencies to provide one-stop assistance to affected residents.

We're inviting [Agency Name] to participate. You would have a dedicated table to meet directly with survivors. Expected attendance is [X] households based on damage assessments.

Setup begins at [time]. The event runs [time] to [time]. We'll provide tables, chairs, and signage.

Can you confirm a representative? Please reply by [date] or call [number].

Day Before: Final Prep

  • Confirm all agencies—Call each one to verify they're coming
  • Recruit volunteers—Greeters, runners, registration table, parking
  • Set up registration system—Paper sign-in or digital intake
  • Prepare survivor packets—Folder with agency info, local resources, what to bring
  • Post on social media—Event details, what to bring, accessibility info
  • Alert local media—Press release, photo opportunity

What Survivors Should Bring

Promote this heavily—survivors who arrive prepared get more help:

  • Photo ID for all household members
  • Proof of address (utility bill, lease, deed)
  • Insurance policy information
  • FEMA registration number (if already registered)
  • Photos of damage
  • List of lost/damaged items
  • Social Security numbers for household members
  • Income documentation (pay stubs, tax return)

Running the Event

Flow Design

Guide survivors through the MARC systematically:

1

Registration / Check-In

Capture contact info, verify address in affected area, assess immediate needs. Give each survivor a "passport" or checklist to track which tables they've visited.

2

FEMA / Government Tables First

Federal registration is the gateway to most other assistance. Start survivors here so other agencies can reference their FEMA status.

3

Insurance / Financial

After government, survivors visit insurance reps and financial assistance providers. Insurance status determines what nonprofits can help with.

4

Nonprofits / Volunteer Orgs

Now that survivors know what they're eligible for officially, nonprofits can fill gaps. Volunteer orgs can sign them up for home repair.

5

Support Services

Mental health, legal aid, and wrap-up services. Have case managers available to create recovery plans with survivors who need extra help.

Volunteer Roles

Role Responsibilities # Needed
Greeters Welcome survivors, explain process, hand out packets 2-4
Registration Check in survivors, capture contact info, issue passports 3-5
Runners Get supplies for agencies, handle questions, solve problems 3-4
Navigators Help survivors who seem lost, ensure they hit all needed tables 4-6
Childcare Watch children so parents can focus on assistance 2-4
Parking Direct traffic, assist elderly/disabled 2-3

Childcare Is Critical

Parents with young children struggle to have meaningful conversations at agency tables while managing kids. Set up a supervised play area with toys and activities. Background-checked volunteers from local churches or schools are ideal. This single accommodation dramatically improves outcomes for families.

Common Problems & Solutions

Lines getting too long at FEMA table

Have FEMA pre-register people via phone while they wait. Station a volunteer with a tablet to help survivors start online registration. The face-to-face conversation becomes about questions and issues, not data entry.

Survivor arrives without documents

Don't turn them away. Many agencies can start the process and follow up on documentation. Create a "missing docs" list and schedule a callback. Connect them with nonprofit case managers who can help gather documents.

Agency no-shows

Have backup plans. Print information sheets for key agencies. Collect contact info and commit to connecting survivors later. Never leave a table empty—reassign space or put informational materials there.

Emotional survivors

Disaster survivors are often in crisis. Have trained mental health professionals or chaplains on site. Create a quiet space for people who need a break. Train all volunteers in psychological first aid basics.

After the MARC

The MARC is a starting point, not an endpoint. Follow-up determines whether survivors actually get help.

Immediate (Within 48 Hours)

  • Compile attendance data—how many households, what services accessed
  • Debrief with participating agencies—what worked, what didn't
  • Thank volunteers and partners
  • Post summary to social media and local media

Short-Term (First Week)

  • Follow up on "missing docs" list—connect survivors with case managers
  • Share survivor contact list with agencies (with permission)
  • Identify survivors who need intensive case management
  • Plan second MARC if demand warrants

Transition to Long-Term Recovery

MARC data feeds directly into LTR case management. Survivors you met at the MARC become cases in your system. Use registration data to:

  • Identify unmet needs patterns (everyone needs roofing? recruit roofers)
  • Track which survivors haven't received FEMA determination yet
  • Build your client database for ongoing case management
  • Measure community impact (# families served, types of assistance provided)

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon after a disaster should we hold a MARC?

Typically 5-14 days after the disaster. Too early and survivors are still in crisis mode (sheltering, immediate safety). Too late and they've already scattered to find help on their own. The sweet spot is when survivors have stable shelter and are ready to think about recovery.

What if FEMA can't participate?

You can still hold a MARC without FEMA. State agencies, nonprofits, and local resources can provide substantial help. Make sure to have computers available for survivors to register with FEMA online, and have volunteers trained to assist with the registration process.

How many people should we expect?

Plan for 50-75% of affected households to attend over a 1-2 day event. If 200 homes were damaged, expect 100-150 households. However, if promotion is strong and the event is well-timed, you might see 90%+ turnout. Always plan for the high end.

Should we hold multiple MARCs?

Often yes. A second MARC 2-3 weeks later catches survivors who missed the first one and those with new questions after receiving FEMA letters. Later MARCs can focus on specific topics (insurance disputes, FEMA appeals, long-term housing).

Who pays for the venue and supplies?

Usually donated. Churches and schools often provide space free after disasters. Emergency management may have budget for printing and supplies. Red Cross often contributes refreshments. If costs are unavoidable, local disaster relief funds or community foundations typically cover them.

Do we need interpreters?

Almost certainly. At minimum, have Spanish interpretation available. Check your community's demographics—you may need Vietnamese, Korean, or other languages. Many agencies bring their own interpreters; coordinate in advance to share resources. Remote interpretation services are a backup option.

Ready to Organize Your MARC?

We can help. Our team has organized MARCs serving thousands of disaster survivors. Contact us for templates, floor plans, and agency contact lists specific to your state.

Request MARC Toolkit

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