Shelter expected to close soon

The local shelter at the Piggott Community Center is expected to be closed by the coming weekend since power has been restored to most homes in the city. Jamie Cluck, center coordinator, indicated around 25 people slept at the shelter over the weekend and that the center had been feeding nearly 200 people twice a day through Sunday.

After moving from the courthouse to the community center, with generator power provided by the National Guard, the city was aided in providing meals by the Southern Baptist Association. The American Red Cross took over the effort last week. Cluck said that following Sunday evening's meal, the Red Cross indicated their presence was no longer viable and closed down the kitchen.

Since then local volunteers have continued to feed those housed in the shelter, members of the National Guard sent to the area to help with cleanup and the workers from the Arkansas Department of Corrections. The shelter also has been handing out MRE's, or meals ready to eat, to those still in need. Cluck also applauded the effort by the Churches of Christ and the boxes they sent to Piggott from Searcy and Nashville that were distributed through the South Thornton Street Church of Christ directly to residents.

"All-in-all, we've gotten an excellent effort from our volunteers and the people staying in the shelter," Cluck noted. "Things have gone well and we've had no trouble at all. Everyone has been very cooperative."

By Monday morning the city was working to try to get power restored to several families forced to remain at the shelter and hoped to have that effort completed by the middle of the week.