CROYDON, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — It was a massive turnout at Keystone Elementary School on day one of a two-day community resource fair for Bucks County residents, and people who live nearby still dealing with the aftermath of recent devastating storms in the region.
“We have a number of different organizations here,” said Bucks County Emergency Services Director Audrey Kenny.
“We have resources from Red Cross, United Way, Veterans Affairs, the Department of Transportation, Insurance Commission...we’re trying to give people the ability to talk to agencies that could help them get their questions answered.”
The organizations are set up at booths in the school's cafeteria.
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There were lines just to get into the main room, where people had to wait even longer to get some one-on-one time with whoever they wanted to speak with.
“This is a much grander response than we expected,” said Kenny.
KYW Newsradio overheard one volunteer note the look of exhaustion on people’s faces as they walked in, after everything they’ve been dealing with.
A lot of people didn’t want to speak when KYW Newsradio asked for comment on their way out, saying they’ve been going through too much lately.
Sue, from Bristol, shared why she showed up.
“My insurance wouldn’t cover my flooding, so with no heater, I’m looking for if there’s anything available to us for resources to call someone out, because I don’t have the funds available just to give away like that," Sue said.
She said she had just returned home from the hospital where she and her husband, who is in a transplant list, were finalizing up some items when the storms hit. Her basement is destroyed.
“I hear a lot of people lost a lot of things,” she said. “A lot of houses got shifted. They're in situations trying to tap in to see what’s available.”
John. from West Bristol, said cleanup has kept him busy.
“Tearing up floors, throwing furniture away, taking walls down,” he explained.
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He walked out with one of the cleaning kits which are being given away, full of masks, gloves and sanitizer.
He said he got the answers he was looking for.
“A lot of folks are concerned about finding a place to live,” added Kenny.
“They lost everything they owned and they lost their home too, so we have resources here that can help to start answer those questions.”
The fair will be open again on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Officials say anyone who repairs storm damage is encouraged to record their efforts using photos, documents and receipts.
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