After the water main break that flooded Southwest Detroit, local community members have stepped up to help affected families. According to CBS News, businesses and individuals have come together to collect donations and provide hot meals. Reverend Richard Colon of Santos Church organized the church as a central hub for assistance, with donations of clothes, food, and other necessities coming in.
"Our goal is to use what we have, whatever we have, whenever we have it, however we can," Colon told CBS News. Denisse Lopez, owner of Vamonos eatery, added, "It's my hood, anything I can do, it's a pleasure to do it. And like, I just want to baby them." Santos Church will continue to provide hot meals and collect donations throughout the week.
Aurelia Ramos and PTA members from the Downriver community used Facebook to gather essential items for those displaced. According to ClickOnDetroit, they delivered supplies to hotels housing affected individuals, like The Hampton Inn Hotel in Southfield. Volunteers and donors provided clothing, food, water, and more.
Residents like Jamie Kaiser, who was personally affected, have benefited from the community's support. "We basically took like two bags with us, and that's all a little thing of clothes and something to eat for them, and that was it," Kaiser told ClickOnDetroit.
WXYZ reported contributions from businesses and individuals such as Theresa Mullen and Savannah Lattore. Mullen, owner of The Fern in Royal Oak, said, "That could be any of us at any time and I think it’s really important that we show up for each other in any way that we can. So we decided to take a portion of our sales from this week and try to give back to Detroit." Lattore recognized the need for baby supplies and donated items she had, saying, "When I woke up and saw everything, seeing it on social media, I knew this is where those things had to go."
Those wishing to help can donate nonperishable food and clothing at the Patton Reaction Center. Additional resources for flood victims are available through the Southwest Detroit Business Association and city services. Santos Church continues to serve as a warming center and a place for community members to gather essentials.
