The Youngstown State University community is offering people a way to help those experiencing hardships because of the deadly explosion at the Realty Building in downtown Youngstown.

The United Way has identified the following items as priority needs of the residents forced to evacuate the adjacent International Towers due to concerns that a collapse of the Realty Building could damage its neighbor.

Many of the International Tower residents are elderly or disabled.

YSU is asking people to donate the following items:

  •  Paper products - paper towels, paper plates, plastic cutlery, tissues and toilet paper
  • Nonperishable foods/microwaveable foods - microwaveable meals, canned meals (soup, stew, chili), boxed instant meals (mac and cheese, Poptarts), peanut butter, canned fruit, canned vegetables, and prepackaged beverages.
  • Hygiene products - Unused items such as hand sanitizer, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, razors, deodorant, hairbrushes and combs, and feminine hygiene products.

 Donations will be collected at the following locations:

  •  The main entrance of University Relations, first floor of Tod Hall
  • Guest Services, located on the upper level of Kilcawley

The United Way has established a link on its website below to make monetary donations.

In addition to damaging the building, the May 28th blast killed Chase Bank worker Akil Drake and injured several others.