Officials in Hartford have collected hundreds of items for more than 30 families who lost everything in a fire last week and held an agency fair to provide them with much-needed services.
Multiple agencies – including Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Children and Families, Department of Motor Vehicles, Capitol Region Education Council and American Red Cross – convened in the Phillips Metropolitan Office Complex on Tuesday evening.
Members of each agency were available to answer fire victims' questions, address concerns and help the families put together plans to get back up on their feet.
The families, who are currently staying in a hotel, also received warm meals and took home donated clothing, food and toiletries.
The fair was held just feet away from the scene of last week's three-alarm fire on Main Street, which left some 70 adults and children with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Since then, the city has provided housing and meals for the displaced residents and the community has stepped up and given whatever they could to help.
"Today is special because you see the community in action working together to provide resources to the families," said State Rep. Brandon McGee. "If it were any of our families, I think we would want someone to be in our corner to provide resources needed to get back a regular life."
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City officials hope to find the families permanent housing by next week. McGee said there's still a demand for toiletries and monetary donations.
