Donations sought as Plumley Village residents await word on building repairs
WORCESTER — With an update on the status of the large Plumley Village apartment complex shuttered by a Thanksgiving fire not expected until early this week, the building’s owner will begin collecting donations for displaced residents Monday.
Donations of packaged snacks, bottled water and gift cards can be dropped off at the Plumley Village office at 16 Laurel St. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Monday, according to a news release from the nonprofit that owns the property, The Community Builders.
On Sunday, Stephanie Garrett-Stearns, a spokeswoman for the group, told the Telegram & Gazette that it hopes to be able to share an update on when the building may be reopened early this week.
“We are doing all we can to make sure our residents have all they need during this time,” she said.
The Community Builders have offered free temporary housing to all 120 households displaced by the 3:45 a.m. Thanksgiving electrical fire, which officials have said was contained to an electrical room on the second floor of the high-rise complex.
Garrett-Stearns said Sunday that 70 displaced households have accepted free temporary housing, while the remainder have chosen to stay with family and friends.
In addition to offering accommodations, The Community Builders said it distributed Thanksgiving meals, cases of water, snacks and Visa gift cards to displaced families, and that staff is coordinating with local service agencies to provide ongoing support.
“We have been deeply rooted in the city of Worcester for over 50 years,” the nonprofit said in its statement, listing its mission as to “build and sustain strong communities where all people can thrive.”
None of the apartments were damaged in the fire, officials have said. The cause remained under investigation Sunday, Garrett-Stearns said.
The 16-story building at 16 Laurel St. was quiet at noontime Sunday, with no residents milling about the locked front entrance and a sign on the door asking that deliveries be suspended.
The Community Builders own and manage more than 100 properties throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, including seven in Worcester, as well as two in Stow and one in Uxbridge.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Call for donations as Plumley Village residents await building fix
