ALBANY, GA (WALB) -
Aid is pouring into the northeast to help victims of Hurricane Sandy recover. A lot it is coming from South Georgia.
Two things needed most in the disaster zone are water and blood. South Georgians are providing both.
The Second Harvest of South Georgia Food Bank is loading trucks with water bound for New York.
The American Red Cross says the super storm Sandy will probably cause them to cancel blood drives for the rest of the week in storm affected areas and that will cause a shortfall.
Forklifts load pallets of gallon jugs of water onto a truck, preparing to head for New York. Last night they were asked for 16 pallets, but this afternoon the request grew.
"So that's about 15,000, 16,000 gallons. So it's almost tripled in just 24 hours," Branch Director Jim Case said.
The water is in gallon jugs, usually used for washing hands and brushing teeth, but it is safe to drink. And Feeding America officials say they see the need for clean water will be much greater than first expected.
"There is going to be a lot of folks who don't have the resources. Their job may be gone. So their resources are vital, and water is the number one resource that is so vital in these situations," Case said.
The American Red Cross said they have already had to cancel 325 blood drives in 13 states and Washington D.C., and estimate that has caused a shortfall of more than 11,000 units of blood. Now they are asking people in the rest of the nation to help.
"We're asking people in the community to please come out who are not affected by superstorm Sandy, to come and donate in their American Red Cross blood center," said Red Cross Blood Donation Team Supervisor Leana Thomas.
The Red Cross says nationwide 44,000 blood donations are needed each day to meet the needs of emergencies and illness. Leesburg's Jim Quinn is a regular platelet donor, and he urges South Georgians to hear the call for help.
"Hopefully it will inspire more people to come give at this time, and keep on giving in the future," Quinn said.
The American Red Cross said Sandy has not caused an increased need for more blood, but there is concern if donations dwindle.
The South Georgia food bank will truck out 72 pallets of water today, and 36 more Thursday.
Second Harvest will start calling their South Georgia water suppliers tomorrow asking for more donations. To give blood you must be 17, meet height and weight requirements and be in general good health.
The American Red Cross says they have not seen an increased need for blood but donations are way down this week.
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