Unity restaurant, storage facility join in efforts to help flooding victims

Local businesses have stepped forward to help victims of Friday’s flooding in Unity Township and surrounding areas, joining the efforts of organizations and individuals.

At 8 p.m. Thursday, Sharky’s Cafe and The Pier will welcome those who are recovering from the flash floods for a free buffet meal at the sports restaurant on Route 30. It’s just east of Route 981 in Unity.

Meanwhile, the U-Haul location at the Mountain Laurel Plaza, directly across Route 30, is offering 30 days of free self-storage to the flood victims.

The Sharky’s staff is busier than ever at this time of year, serving fans who flock to the Steelers training camp at nearby Saint Vincent College.

Business increases by 30% to 40% during the weeks of camp, according to Sharky’s co-owner Jamie Huemme.

She said the buffet was scheduled for a time when camp-related orders normally slack off. “We knew that would be the best time of the day to get out as much food as possible from the kitchen,” she said.

Huemme said plans for the meal were spurred by the fact that a few restaurant employees had been affected by the flooding.

“We thought the best way to help our employees and their families, as well as all of the other folks who have been affected, was to organize a time and place where they could come in and get food for themselves and for those they know were affected by the flooding,” she said.

The menu for the buffet was still being determined on Tuesday. Huemme said any food that is left over from the meal will be directed to those in need.

“Accessibility to clean, dry and secure storage can assist our neighbors with their recovery efforts,” said Ean Livingood, U-Haul Company of Northwestern PA president. Those impacted by the flooding can make use of a storage unit at no cost for one month at our Latrobe store.”

The offer is available to those renting a new unit and is subject to vacancy. All items must be dried before being stored, and a disc lock is required to secure the items. U-Haul sells such a lock for less than $15.

Supplementing donations from the public, several local stores have provided donated or discounted items during a three-day collection drive at the Lloydsville Volunteer Fire Department station, which was slated to end at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Fire Chief Brian Schultheis said the response was so overwhelming that the department is running out of space for the donated articles. Going forward, the department is asking that clothing donations be made to the local Goodwill and St. Vincent DePaul stores.

Those who want to donate other items to help with flood recovery and cleanup may call the fire station at 724-537-9872.

Monetary donations also can be made through a link on the fire department’s Facebook page.

The Red Cross also is continuing to offer help to victims of the flooding. Those in need of assistance may call 800-733-2767.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 12 people had received services at an emergency shelter at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. A joint effort of the university and the Red Cross, the shelter opened Saturday night at 504 University Court, Greensburg, in Building A-1.

The shelter provides a safe place to sleep, connection to local resources and help with recovery planning, in addition to meals and snacks.