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Mapleton overwhelmed with donations

News

May 1st, 2011 by Ric Hanson

MAPLETON, Iowa (AP) — The tornado-ravaged northwest Iowa town of Mapleton is facing a new problem: Too many donations.

KTIV in Sioux City reports that the town has been inundated with canned food, clothing, bottled water and other donations since an April 9 tornado destroyed more than 140 homes and businesses there. No one was killed.

Now, the town is running out of room to store the items, which had been piling up at the Mapleton Community Center. The items have been moved to the Maple Valley Bus Barn.

A lack of room wasn’t the only reason behind the move. The community center is needed for upcoming graduation parties.

Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto High School Principal Dan Dougherty says the outpouring of donations and well-wishes from neighboring communities has been overwhelming and amazing.