(WSVN) - A mayor’s mission led a convoy of help to the hardest hit areas of Fort Myers after Ian.
A long line formed Tuesday on the eastern edge of the city, Tuesday.
Those who live in the historically African-American community subset of the city have been waiting on basic necessities.
“Bad, no power, no food, none of that,” said Kanetia Gilmore. “Still, to this day, no power.”
These residents need everything.
“Provisions. We need them because everything we had went bad from no electricity,” Willie McBride said.
And they are getting that help straight from South Florida, including Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
“Presorted box, which has food, hygiene necessities you need in the beginning. Cleanup gloves and tarps,” said Michael Capponi, of the Global Empowerment Mission.
GEM sent truckloads of items and are distributing them daily from a church parking lot.
Levine Cava traveled to assist in making sure the community’s needs are met.
“We are drumming up the support we can get. It’s already been 24 trucks coming over filled with goods and more coming,” she said.
She also spent the Tuesday morning meeting with task force members who are helping Southwest Florida get up and running again after the hurricane.
“We’re also going to provide technical support for water and sewer issues, whatever it takes for our neighbors here in Southwest Florida,” Levine Cava said.
These little efforts, like food and water are going a long way on this side of the state.
“That’s real nice. We appreciate that,” Gilmore said. “We can’t use the water in the faucet. They say it’s no good to use.”
The community remains hopeful in the midst of tragedy.
“Everybody’s pulling together, trying to hold it on, helping each other. Get through like that,” McBride said.
GEM said it is trying to bring 75 truckloads worth of food and supplies over from South Florida, just in October alone.
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