Please donate CLEAN spring and summer clothing in wearable condition and make sure any food items you are donating are not expired. These folks have enough stuff that has to be thrown away, they sure don't need more. Or better yet, head to the grocery store and buy ten boxes of pasta or ten cans of tuna to donate. If everyone who reads this contributes $10 worth of food and some clothing, it will be a big help. Thanks!

I was there last weekend.. they need the following:

Pet Food (cat, dog, bird), Large storage tubs to keep food, clothes, personal items in in), knap sacks, hygiene wipes, first aid items, Baby & Toddler food, diapers, children's books, flashlights and batteries. Paper goods: plates, cups, plastic wear, large zip lock bags, contractor trashbags. If you have any tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment. Clean towels, bedding that can be packaged to keep it clean.

Many animals are displaced waiting for their owners to locate them or owners who do not have homes yet and have people taking care of their animals for them. Tent cities are starting to go up in the former trailer parks in Brimfield and people are still combing the country side looking for their personal items.

The three towns I visited have centralized places for people to go to for food pantry, shelter, and a hot meal. The clean up/recovery is going to take a long time and many are camping near the areas they are cleaning up.

Thank you, Leslie, for sharing those photos with Patch readers!