By Layla Kalinen
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — The Springfield Family Center is upping its game with community outreach as they connect with the Black River Action Team and FEMA to offer support to displaced residents displaced by recent floods.
Executive Director Trish Paradis said Monday through Friday, the center is serving on-site meals and take-home meals and providing personal care items for anyone in need
“We continue to have food box access by appointment Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays,” Paradis told the Eagle Times.
With help from the Springfield Universalist Meeting House, the Family Center recently sent shelf-stable food, cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene products, personal care items (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste and brushes, etc.), diapers, wipes, body cleansing wipes, toilet paper, Kleenex and pet food to Cavendish to help flood victims.
Paradis said the group is reaching out beyond the Springfield community to places that have isolated residents in need of home deliveries.
“Additionally, we offered to act as a hub for donations where people can bring their items and we will make sure they get distributed to the communities who need them. Donations can be in the forms of supplies or a monetary, tax-deductible donation that is earmarked for disaster relief product support,” she wrote.
Paradis also reported that Kelly Stetner of the Black River Action Team and June Brink are working with providing aid to survivors of the flood.
June Brink of the Springfield Happenings Facebook page and the Tree Farm Campground in Springfield are also collecting donations and bringing them to the Springfield Unitarian Universalist Meeting House on Fairground Road, according to Paradis.
The Springfield Police Department is providing office space to FEMA to help with the recovery.
“[Vermont] Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Black River Action Team and FEMA have been meeting almost daily, as well,” she said.
For more information, please call 802-885-3646 or visit the center online at https://springfieldfamilycenter.com. The center is located at 365 Summer St. in Springfield.
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