Hundreds of volunteers have helped at the church centre, which is providing donated supplies, food, meals and information to people forced out of their homes or otherwise in need of help. Banquet tables in the basement have been piled high with such needs as canned food, bottled water, toilet paper and toothbrushes. A steady stream of people have been arriving, either to donate items or to take needed items away.

Thunder Bay Bishop Fred Colli has encouraged other parishes to help in any way they can.

After a very rainy week, the city was hit with a massive downpour in the early hours of May 28. The storm washed out roads and damaged homes, forcing Mayor Keith Hobbs to declare a state of emergency. The city’s sewer plant ended up largely under water and out of commission. Key bridges were closed and many residents had their basements flooded with dirty, foul-smelling water. Residents were warned to stay out of their basements due to the risk of electrocution posed by waterlogged electrical outlets. The area around St. Peter’s was one of the worst hit.

Michelle Araya, a young mother of two, is one of the key volunteer organizers at St. Peter’s. She began helping people almost immediately after the flood and was joined by three others, Shannon Hobbs, Lisa French and Dan Chiarello. Their early relief efforts were promoted and organized largely through a Facebook page.

The small team quickly had a storage problem, as more and more supplies were donated. They contacted Sawchuk who gave them permission to use St. Peter’s.

“Fr. Sawchuk is amazing,” said Hobbs. “He has been knocking on door after door in the area, making a list, to see want people need.” He has also continued with his regular duties at the church.

The parish is co-ordinating its relief efforts with the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, the City of Thunder Bay and local businesses.

The public’s response to the emergency has been “incredible,” says Araya, who is at her regular job when not at the church. “I’m burning the candle at both ends.”

(Scura is a freelance writer in Thunder Bay, Ont.)