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HOLYOKE — Providence Ministries, Enlace de Familias and Nueva Esperanza are accepting donations — monetary as well as supplies — to support the 25 individuals who lost their homes and possessions during an early morning fire at 551 South Bridge Street.

Providence Ministries, which is located a block from the fire scene, served as a gathering place for the fire victims as well as a number of service agencies, including the Red Cross, Holyoke Health Center, the City’s Emergency Management Agency, Enlace de Familias, Nueva Esperanza, OneHolyoke, the Holyoke Mayor’s Office, Holyoke Public Schools and area churches.

Many of those forced out by the fire had only the clothes they were wearing. Several people lost their pets as well as their belongings.

There is an urgent need for baby formula, particularly Blue Similac and Advance Similac Formula, as well as baby bottles. Families that are WIC participants whose members lost food in the fire or who purchase baby formula using their WIC benefits should contact their local WIC office.

Also needed are diapers, wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, hairbrushes, hair ties and deodorant. Also, women’s summer shoes (size 5) and sandals (size 8), men’s and women’s underwear (S, M, L and XL), Tylenol, Ibuprofen and Aleve, cell phone charge cables and batteries.

To donate, call Ward 1 City Councilor Jenny Rivera at Enlace de Familias, 299 Main Street, 413-437-3210 or Enlace Director Frank Martinez at 413-313-8788; or call Nueva Esperanza, 401 Main Street, at 413-437-7666; or Providence Ministries at 51 Hamilton Street, 413-536-9109. They will accept monetary contributions as well as clothing, bedding and baby needs but not furniture, bedroom sets or the like.

To speak to someone about what other urgent items are needed, contact Jennifer Gonzalez from the Holyoke Public Schools. Jennifer Gonzalez: (413) 650-2750

The fire victims have been provided with $515 vouchers from the Red Cross. The owner of 551 South Bridge Street has paid for the residents to be put up in a hotel.

536 Dwight Street Holyoke, MA 01040 Phone: (413) 322-5510 Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday

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