'People need help': River Valley food bank sends relief to Greenwood flooding victims

Food was packed in boxes by volunteers at the River Valley Regional Food Bank in Fort Smith Wednesday for those affected by flooding in Greenwood.

Boxes of water were included in a trailer that was trucked to Greenwood Wednesday morning.

"It's overwhelming for a lot of people," said Lyn Poplin, associate pastor at Greenwood United Methodist Church. The church relief committee members collected the supplies at the Fort Smith food bank headquarters and drove everything to Greenwood, a 15-minute drive south of Fort Smith in the southern part of Sebastian County.

Heavy rains Thursday, June 9 and Friday, June 10, caused some damage to the city infrastructure, and residents were asked to reduce water use while repairs continued.

Previously: River flood warning issued Friday for River Valley

Watch this: Heavy rains caused flooding in Greenwood, Arkansas

Water flooded about 50 homes and firefighters rescued people with boats Friday afternoon, June 10.

Sylvester Hampton was one of the workers at the food bank on Wednesday helping load the trailer with boxes of food and water.

Hampton said he was retired from the food bank who is now helping part-time. He was called in Wednesday to help with the emergency situation in Greenwood.

"After the devastation that happened, we're just trying to make sure they have everything they need to help the people down there," Hampton said.

The supplies from the food bank were greatly appreciated in an emergency situation that is ongoing for many families, Poplin said.

"All of this is going to help," Poplin said.

He said he was in a flooded-out house Tuesday where the sheetrock had to be cut out. People needed cardboard boxes for their belongings.

"There are not a lot of hotels that are inexpensive. People need help with housing," Poplin said.

He said one resident had to leave Greenwood due to damage in the home.

Tracy Engel, director of the food bank, said the River Valley Regional Food Bank is the second largest food bank in Arkansas, and relief efforts continued Wednesday.

Greenwood United Methodist Church is a partner agency, she said.

"We're making sure our partner agency gets 85 pre-packed boxes for those families that are affected. There were canned hams and gallons of water delivered.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: River Valley Regional Food Bank sends help to 85 families in Greenwood