WESTPORT — A coalition of Rotarians in southern Connecticut, including the Westport Rotary and Westport Sunrise Rotary clubs, is reiterating a call for the public to support their campaign to help victims of Hurricane Helene.

Clubs in Rotary District 7980 have organized a truck convoy, which will collect donations Tuesday (today, Oct. 8) throughout southern Connecticut en route to Asheville, N.C., one of the region’s hardest hit by the devastating storm last week.

The group will dispatch two trucks, a 53-foot-long tractor trailer and a 26-foot box truck, filled with essential supplies collected at five staging areas — including Westport — to help with recovery efforts.

A revised schedule for the convoy has been issued since the weekend, with the trucks now expected to stop in Westport about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Stop & Shop supermarket, 1790 Post Road East. (See the full schedule of stops in the accompanying graphic.)

Volunteers from both local Rotary clubs will be on hand earlier Tuesday to assist with preparations and collect donations from the public.

Goods that are needed include: 

Food: Canned or packaged foods with a shelf life, particularly ramen, pasta and rice, baby food and formula, sports drinks, shelf-stable milk and water. Also, pet food, cat litter and feed for farm animals such as chickens, goats and horses.

Household and personnel products: Toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, plastic utensils, feminine hygiene products, baby diapers, first-aid supplies, disinfectant sprays and insect repellent.

Tools and equipment: Batteries of all kinds including for vehicles, small generators, heavy-duty extension cords, gas and diesel fuel, propane, chains and sharpeners, tents, cots, sleeping bags and hay.