The Roanoke Rapids Fire Department is serving as a drop-off point for supplies that will be trucked this weekend to victims of Hurricane Sandy.

The idea to have the fire department serve as a collection point was born from ideas suggested by firefighter Al Cooke and Lieutenant Kevin Hawkins, Chief Stacy Coggins said.

Non-perishable food, water and other supplies are welcomed for drop-off at the fire station on Roanoke Avenue from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Coggins said.

The collection is part of an overall aid drive by John Morgan of Morgan National Logistics who will take donations from Disaster Immediate Response Team, Flambeau and Angel’s Closet to New York and New Jersey in what is hoped to be a full tractor-trailer.

Coggins said it is important to help the victims of Sandy since many came to the aid of Roanoke Rapids during Hurricane Irene, a tornado and flooding back in August. “When we were in need people stopped to help us. It’s our obligation to help others in need.”

The effort at the fire department got off to a good start when Coggins received a check for $100 from a fellow church member and Angel’s Closet volunteer which bought $50 worth of bottled water and the same amount in paper towels.

Firefighters Wednesday helped load Morgan’s truck at Angel’s Closet with 300 boxes of clothes.

For more information call the fire department at 252-533-2880 or drop the items off at the Roanoke Avenue fire station.