A slow, but spirited start to the sandbagging effort
Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - In an effort to build up Fargo and Moorhead's sandbag inventory, a slow start. Volunteers dug in for the first time this morning in Fargo and Moorhead filling bags to protect the city from another flood. The groups were small, but, volunteer coordinators say, not surprising.
- Volunteers
A familiar scene fills Fargo's sandbag central, but those here to see and hear it are few in number. Fargo's goal is to fill one hundred thousand a day until they achieve one million.
With a group of Cass County inmates and Fargo firefighters to help, there are just enough volunteers to man one of 3 spider machines, pumping out 5-thousand sandbags an hour.
“Volunteer turnout has been slow which we expected but we think later in the afternoon and evening once people get off work and kids are out of school we expect it to pick up significantly.”
Groups may also be organizing after hearing Fargo will pay non-profit organizations for their help, through "Denny's Bucks for Bags." Grubb says they'll see how the first week goes before developing a plan B.
“We're used to winning and we don't intend on changing that now.”
A slow start in Moorhead as well, although there were volunteers waiting at the door when this place opened at 7am. The Public Works Directors says 5-thousand bags were already filled by lunchtime.
“The numbers are down, but the spirits are high.”
Moorhead wants to fill 300-thousand bags before a flood event. So, Martin says they're shooting for 20-thousand a day. Moorhead's plan B is hiring people to sandbag, the city's already set funds aside for that. As of 3 o'clock, 20-thosuand bags were filled, by about 100 volunteers.
Volunteers are needed all week in both cities. Fargo's hours are Monday through Saturday 8 to 8. Moorhead’s are Monday through Saturday 7 to 7, and noon to 7 Sunday.
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