Local firefighter organizes relief effort for Hurricane Harvey victims
Published at | Updated at
REXBURG – The Madison Fire Department is helping in relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas.
Cory Marriott, a firefighter and paramedic, is heading the effort, which started Saturday. He and fellow firefighters went door to door over the weekend and collected much-needed items from locals.
“As much as we can send, we’re going to do it,” Marriott said.
Marriott said it didn’t take much time to plan the drive, and it took hardly any time for locals to begin donating.
Madison Fire Department Chief Corey Child said within hours of the drive being posted on social media, people took action.
“This couple had seen the flier on Facebook and gone to the store and purchased seven bags of various needed items. We are confident that this community will rise to the occasion in helping those in need due to Hurricane Harvey,” Child said in a news release.
Marriot said numerous people have already given to the drive which will wrap up this coming Saturday.
“There’s been hundreds of people who’ve donated, probably thousands. We’ve got six pallets worth of food water, and hygiene, and there’s still donations trickling in,” Marriott said. “The bulk of what we’ve got, came from (going) door to door.”
Marriott said the biggest thanks goes to Cedarpoint Trucking, the organization willing to drive all the items to Texas.
“As much as we get they’ll take. That’s a huge expense on their part. They’re definitely footing the biggest bill as far as the food drive goes,” Marriott said.
After communicating with the Texas Food Bank and organizations in Galveston, Texas, Marriott said items such as ready-to-eat foods, tuna, canned soups and meats, peanut butter, snacks, toiletries, and cleaning supplies are needed, but the big push now is for hygiene and cleaning supplies like garbage bags and bleach products.
A box for food drive items is set outside of the Madison Fire Department for passing patrons 24/7. You can also stop by between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Additional questions can be answered by calling the department at (208) 359-3010.
RELATED: East Idahoans donate over 33,000 pounds of food for Hurricane Harvey victims