MOLINE, Ill. — Panhandlers claiming to be refugees are showing up around the Quad Cities.
Local nonprofit World Relief Quad Cities said it tried to offer help, but so far it's been refused.
"We were really concerned because we are the only refugee resettlement agency in our area within a 110-mile radius," World Relief Quad Cities Executive Director Laura Fontaine said.
The organization said that at its peak, it received anywhere from 20 to 30 calls in a day with members of the public reporting sightings of the panhandlers - some with kids and holding up signs claiming they were refugees.
"I had some caseworkers basically do some investigation," Fontaine said. "One of the families that had a sign up; they were around the Coram Deo Church area. My caseworker - he went over there and tried speaking with them, and then they basically ran off."
One of those caseworkers was Program Director Ratko Rastovic, a former refugee from Yugoslavia. He described a scenario that took place near the Burlington Coat Factory store in Bettendorf.
"At a red light, I had a chance to lower my window and ask the man quickly," Rastovic said.
He explained that the refugees claimed to be from Moldova.
"But as I understand, we didn't have any refugees from Bulgaria or Moldova," Rastovic added. "Actually there's no refugee program out of those two countries."
Rastovic couldn't say for certain if any of these families were being dishonest, but said that if they were, it reflects badly on actual refugees.
"If somebody is claiming to be a refugee and is actually not, that's something that I don't feel good about," he said.
Fontaine wanted to make clear that World Relief is dedicated to helping real refugees with various aid.
"I don't want the Quad Cities community to think that we are bringing in refugees that we cannot take care of - because we can take care of them," she said. "We have federal funding. We have church support, and we have a lot of private donors that are welcoming refugees here."
The organization added that if you see panhandling groups claiming to be refugees and want to help, but aren't sure if they are legitimate, people are always encouraged to reach out to World Relief Quad Cities.
They can be reached by:
- Phone: (309) 764-2279
- Email: wrquadcities@wr.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldReliefQuadCities/
The organization said it's in need of more coats and other supplies heading into the winter season, though they do not need any other types of clothing at this time.
Donations can be given on Wednesdays 9 AM - 4 PM at their location on 1852 16th St, Moline, IL. A drop-off appointment must be scheduled.
More information on accepted items and the donation procedure is available here.