For many families in Central New Jersey communities like North Plainfield, Green Brook, Dunellen, Middlesex, Plainfield, Scotch Plains and others, the last two and a half weeks have been about piecing their lives back together. After extreme weather caused brooks and creeks to overflow, flooding numerous streets and homes, Red Cross disaster responders and caseworkers have worked more than 10,000 volunteer hours to bring care, comfort and some relief to affected families.

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As part of a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC), volunteer Red Cross caseworkers and Disaster Health Services volunteers met with families from Middlesex County on Monday and Tuesday and provided financial assistance to those who experienced major damage to their homes. Volunteers distributed cleanup kits, water and packages of shelf-stable food to those who needed it, while also serving meals. Additional organizations, like The United Way of Central New Jersey, Community Foodbank of New Jersey, Legal Services of New Jersey, Jewish Family Services, Catholic Charities and more participated, providing information and resources. Red Cross volunteers will meet families from Union County on Thursday and Friday at a MARC in Plainfield to provide the same assistance and relief items.

As of July 30, the Red Cross New Jersey Region has served more than 6,000 meals and snacks and distributed more than 2,200 emergency relief items, including clean-up kits, rakes, shovels, and other cleaning supplies throughout flood-impacted communities in Central New Jersey. Early in the response, the Red Cross had two temporary shelters open for those who needed a safe place following the storm.

To date, the Red Cross has helped hundreds of affected households, and more than 100 families in Central New Jersey have received disaster financial assistance.