Organizations collect items, donations for tenants displaced by Austintown apartment explosion
YOUNGSTOWN - Several non-profit organizations are stepping up to make sure tenants who were displaced from their homes after the explosion at the Phoenix House apartment building over the weekend are able to receive some aid.
The Persayus Way Project will be collecting brand-new household items like blankets, pillows, cleaning supplies and other essential household items. Additionally, the organization will provide a limited amount of brand-new bed sets for residents directly affected.
The organization is asking only for household items and is not accepting monetary donations at this time.
Those interested in donating can contact 713-435-9973 for more information on how to donate. Displaced tenants can call 330-518-2192 to be added to the support list.
A specific drop-off day will be announced soon.
United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley is also requesting assistance from the community in gathering monetary donations that would be used to support Phoenix House tenants.
Those looking to donate to the United Way fundraising campaign can do so online here.
Mahoning County Commissioners held a meeting on Tuesday, November 25, and passed a resolution to donate $10,000 to the United Way, aiming to provide relief for victims and residents of the apartment building.
Roxann Sebest, Vice President of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, said that this would be one alternative outside of physical donations being accepted by other partnered organizations, like Goodwill, the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul.
"What we need right now is fundraising to help keep them in their housing and help them stay where they're at," said Sebest.
