EASTON, Pa. — Community members and organizations came together at Paxinosa Elementary School on Tuesday to help the victims of the Ferry Street fire get back on their feet.
According to Peter Brown, executive director for the American Red Cross Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter, the meeting at the Easton school was intended to connect people displaced or otherwise affected by the blaze that on Monday destroyed more than a dozen homes on the 900 block on Ferry Street.
- Charitable organizations on Tuesday came together at Paxinosa Elementary School to help victims of the Ferry Street fire
- The American Red Cross helped lead the efforts, and will assist in transitioning to local agencies such as Third Street Alliance and church groups
- The shelter at Paxinosa Elementary School closed Tuesday night, the American Red Cross confirmed
“So at this point, what we're really trying to do is get a good handle on the immediate needs that these families have," Brown said.
"We're anticipating it's going to be 17 or 18 households, potentially 40 to 60 individuals who are going to need all sorts of things.”
Brown commended Red Cross volunteers who have worked tirelessly as they help those who have been displaced.
“The Red Cross's role is to provide support for basic food, shelter clothing, for the first 24 to 48 hours, then we partner with other agencies who will be able to step in. A lot of these homes have been destroyed, so there are going to be longer-term issues.”Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross Peter Brown
“The Red Cross's role is to provide support for basic food, shelter clothing for the first 24 to 48 hours, then we partner with other agencies who will be able to step in," Brown said.
"A lot of these homes have been destroyed, so there are going to be longer-term issues.”
Many pitching in
The Red Cross closed the emergency shelter that was operating out of Paxinosa Elementary School on Tuesday night after ensuring that impacted residents’ urgent needs were met.
Brown noted that coordinating with local organizations as early as possible helped streamline the process of getting assistance both immediately and in the longer term, and that it will continue coordinating support services with other organizations.
Following the meeting, Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana confirmed that several community organizations have dedicated efforts to the cause.
"We received actually $1,500 worth of gift cards that will go directly to the victims."Easton City Councilwoman Taiba Sultana
“We have Family Connection [of Easton], who are providing all the resources," Sultana said. "We have Third Street Alliance providing emergency housing. West Ward WISE, I've been working with them since morning, we provided food, clothing, shoes — we have a lot of donations.
"We received actually $1,500 worth of gift cards that will go directly to the victims."
She also noted the Salvation Army, FEMA, Project Paw — a group that helps those with pets — and local church groups have pitched in.
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Pastor Susan Ruggles and Vicar Vanessa Storlie also attended the meeting, noting the fire occurred just a few blocks away from their church at 330 Ferry St.
Ruggles said the church is putting out “feelers for any kind of clothing and household goods,” but also is collecting cash donations that will go to a church fund and distributed to the victims.
The pastor also advised the public to be careful about donations, and to only donate only to recognizable organizations to ensure the money goes to the right people.
'Need to continue to feel supported'
Beyond that, Ruggles encouraged any victims to seek out someone to speak to in such trying times, noting the church is always available to help.
“They're going to need to continue to feel supported by not just by the community, but by their friends and their neighbors," Ruggles said.
"Of course, all of us are offering. If you need to talk, we can talk, but go and talk to someone. That would be my advice, go and talk to someone you know."
“Cash would be better, because these people are going to need money. I mean, they lost everything. But we also have people who are willing to collect items that people may need, from toys to clothing to toiletries to towels and bedding."Easton Mayor Sal Panto, in regard to donations for fire victims
While any assistance is appreciated, Mayor Sal Panto Jr. also encouraged the community to consider donating money, if possible.
Panto said he would have preferred one centralized agency to take donations.
“Cash would be better, because these people are going to need money,” Panto said. “I mean, they lost everything. But we also have people who are willing to collect items that people may need, from toys to clothing to toiletries to towels and bedding.
"The problem is, we've got to make sure that it's in good shape. We don't want people getting rid of their junk and us having to go through it all.”
