Connecticut families impacted by flooding find support in food drive

SOUTHBURY, Conn. (WTNH) – It’s been one week since the deadly and devastating flooding in Western Connecticut.

Hundreds of residents in several towns are now navigating the long and costly road to rebuild, while their neighbors step in to help in every way they can.

“My childhood home was practically washed away. The community tennis courts I played endless hours of tennis on were absolutely gone,” said Woodbury resident Erin Schumacher.

Places that hold dear memories like homes, roads, parks even entire neighborhoods are still ravaged a week after the unprecedented downpours and flooding.

Born and raised in Southbury, Schumacher said she couldn’t sit back and watch.

“I have to do something,” said Schumacher.

So she set up a community food drive to help stock shelves at the Southbury Food Bank and partnered with Save Your Scissors Salon to collect clothing for those in need. The drive was held at the Southbury Green from 10 to 2 on Sunday and in just a few hours thousands of items were donated.

“We actually an industrial size collection bin in shop rite that’s been emptied twice and we have so far over 1500 items donated so far and we just started five minutes ago,” Schumacher said.

The unexpected big turnout brought cans of food, paper towels, cereal, applesauce, chips, and filling bag after bag and also filling Schumacher’s heart.

“Absolutely remarkable, sorry I get choked up,” said Schumacher. “I’ve had people like I don’t even know approach me when I go in the grocery store or walk downtown and they are like I know what you are doing how can I help, how can I help and it’s absolutely tremendous to know that we can create such an impact not only on our community but all those affected.”

All those items were delivered to the Southbury Food Bank Sunday afternoon. Anyone in need can head there for help.

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