Local group to send 50 truckloads of aid to Sandy victims

BLUE ASH, Ohio - A local disaster relief group is planning to send 50 truckloads of items to aid victims of Hurricane Sandy, with 10 trucks leaving during the next two weeks.

Matthew 25 Ministries, a humanitarian aid organization based in Blue Ash, is sending trucks loaded with blankets, beverages, personal care products, cleaning supplies and baby products to distribution centers in New York and New Jersey.

Throughout this week and next week, Matthew 25 is dispatching 10 semi-tractor trailers filled with disaster relief items to five separate locations in the hardest hit areas.

The items are valued at $1 million.

Matthew 25 is coordinating its disaster relief efforts with Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble and will be transporting products from Cincinnati to P&G's mobile operations in New Jersey ,as well as to heavily-hit areas like Staten Island.

Matthew 25 estimates that a total of 50 truckloads of aid will be distributed in the disaster region in the upcoming months.

“This is a disaster of monumental proportions,” said Tim Mettey, Matthew 25’s CEO and disaster relief coordinator.  “It will take months, if not years, for this region to return to normal.  At Matthew 25, we are committed to working with our partners to provide ongoing aid to these areas.”

Matthew 25 requests monetary donations for the purchase and shipment of needed supplies to these areas. Donors can text CARING to 50555 to make a gift of $10.  All designated funds are used for the purpose intended.

Also. Matthew 25 requests donations of critical first response items including blankets, non-perishable food, personal care products, cleaning supplies, paper products, baby and infant supplies and first aid items.

Additionally, Matthew 25 welcomes volunteers six days a week at its Blue Ash facility.