GoTriangle and RDU International buses delivered food and other supplies to families impacted by Hurricane Matthew in Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson and Johnston Counties on Thursday, October 27.
"We want to sincerely thank our amazing partners and generous community for your tremendous outpouring of support," said GoTriangle General Manager Jeff Mann. "Because of you there are many families in eastern North Carolina who will have food and other critical supplies immediately."
GoTriangle, WRAL-TV, United Way of the Greater Triangle, and RDU International urged Triangle residents to donate supplies to fill a Storm Relief bus a day earlier. The community rallied to fill three buses and two vans with:
- Cleaning supplies
- Toiletries
- Paper products
- Canned and dried foods
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Formula
- Nutritional shakes and drinks
WRAL-TV Vice President & General Manager Steven D. Hammel said, "This confirms what the great people of central and eastern North Carolina already know, when our neighbors need help, our viewers answer the call. We're proud to be part of the effort with these great partners, but all the praise belongs to the people who gave and gave and gave. Bravo, North Carolina!
"The success of this storm relief drive highlights the power of partnership. We are so grateful for everyone who came out to donate items, and for our network of United Way volunteers and agency partners in all of the impacted communities for helping to ensure that these supplies quickly reached the families who need them most," said Melanie Davis-Jones, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Community Engagement for the United Way of the Greater Triangle.
“We are pleased to partner with GoTriangle to provide immediate support and relief to some of North Carolina’s hardest hit communities,” said Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Landguth. “We are blown away by the outpouring of donations from the community, RDU team and the many partners who came together, to help those in need at their most vulnerable time.”
The Storm Relief Bus delivered items to these stops in Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson and Johnston counties:
- At the United Way of Tar River Region serving Nash and Edgecombe counties we delivered canned/ dried food, personal hygiene items and cleaning supplies for the many people whose homes have water damage, including Princeville Senior Center which experienced severe building damage, leaving this vulnerable population at risk.
- At the United Way Food Drive in Wilson, we delivered canned/ dried food, formula and other supplies. Food pantries in Wilson County have been depleted making it difficult to help feed those impacted by the hurricane and others who rely on this support.
- At the Partnership for Children of Johnston County in Selma, we delivered canned/dried food, diapers, cleaning supplies and toiletries for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Johnston County. Their building lost its roof during the storm, flooding all of its contents. The supplies will go to families and individuals in need.
For those not able to help, there are more ways you can assist those affected at this link:
http://www.wral.com/here-to-help-storm-relief/16104883/
GoTriangle offers safe, reliable, and easy-to-use travel choices including bus, bike, walking, carpool, and vanpool. More information is available at www.gotriangle.org.