Red Cross offering cleaning kits to Berks residents impacted by flooding

Karen Shuey, Reading Eagle, Pa.
·1 min read

Jul. 13—As residents continue to deal with the aftermath of flooding caused by devastating storms that rolled through Berks County this past weekend, the American Red Cross is offering a bit of help with the cleanup process.

Volunteers on Thursday are distributing free cleaning kits that contain industrial supplies and other tools to help remove water and silt from homes. The kits are available for pick up at three locations:

—Glenside Elementary School, 500 Lackawanna St.

—Lower Alsace Volunteer Fire Company, 1206 Roosevelt Ave.

—Resource center at Exeter Township School District administration building, 200 Elm St.

Since the storm hit on Sunday, Red Cross officials said they have helped more than 100 people affected by flooding. Trained disaster workers from the Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter have been working to provide safe shelter, food, emergency and relief supplies.

The organization continues to operate a temporary shelter at Glenside Elementary School in Reading. Officials said they have hosted more than 50 people in the shelter since Sunday, and that there are currently eight residents still staying there.

Red Cross disaster teams are also helping assess the damage and working with officials to determine what other support is needed.

Anyone in need of assistance should call 1-800-733-2767. For those who want to help people affected by the flooding and countless other crises, visit redcross.org or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.