Paper items like toilet paper and food containers that don't require a can opener are among suggested donations.
HOLYOKE – The Paper City was fortunate to escape the damage of last week’s tornadoes, but is offering help to people hurt by the rampage.
A collection will take place Tuesday in the parking lot behind City Hall at High and Dwight streets from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Paper items like toilet paper and paper towels, new underwear and socks and food in bottles or cans with pull-tab tops will be collected and given to the Friends of the Homeless Resource Center, in Springfield.
Financial donations also will be accepted, Mayor Elaine A. Pluta and City Solicitor Lisa A. Ball said.
A Peter Pan bus will serve as collection headquarters.
Three tornados ripped a line from Westfield to Sturbridge June 1, causing four deaths, damaging or destroying more than 5,000 homes and displacing hundreds of people.
Pluta said Wednesday she was proud of city firefighters, public works and Holyoke Gas and Electric Department employees for helping areas the tornadoes damaged in Springfield, West Springfield and Monson.
The following items are needed:
paper cups
paper plates
napkins
paper towels
tissues
toilet paper
copy paper
new socks
new T-shirts
new underwear
new flip flops
People are asked to donate only food in containers for which a can opener is unnecessary.