These National Guardsmen showed up Tuesday morning at the Christian Assistance Bridge to help load cases of water for families in the community picking up food and water from the CAB office on Blythewood Road. At right is CAB board member Ken Trogden. (Photo/Barbara Ball)
BLYTHEWOOD – Shortly after 10:30 Tuesday morning, the board members of Christian Assistance Bridge (CAB) in Blythewood posted a sign in front of the building at 126 Blythewood Road offering free food and water to residents in the community who have been affected by rising water, loss of power or other problems resulting from the torrential rains in recent days.
“Not only did people start coming in for assistance, just about as many stopped by to see what they could do to help,” said Bill Sullivan a CAB board member. “It was unbelievable! One woman stopped by to find out what we needed and I told her that we could use tuna, chicken, peanut butter, pasta and sauce. She left and in a few minutes came back with her car packed with these things.”
Several truckloads of bottled water soon arrived, then more water and more food. Later that morning, 10 or so National Guardsmen showed up in Humvees to help load the water into vehicles of those families picking up supplies.
“It was heartwarming to see such a community effort,” Sullivan said.
While Blythewood homes were not subjected to widespread flooding, a number of homes in the community use Columbia water, which will have to be boiled for some time. But Sullivan said CAB does not need clothing at this time, only food and water. He suggested those needing clothing should contact Sandy Level Baptist Church’s clothes closet at 803-754-1299.
A number of churches in the community have been checking on their members in the aftermath of the flooding, trying to find out who needs assistance.
Sullivan said CAB will be open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. this week at least through Thursday and possibly until the end of the week. For more information, call CAB at 803-786-1903.
