By Patrick Book

Bienfait takes in Saskatchewan flood victims

Jun 30, 2011 | 7:17 AM

In the face of devastation communities in Saskachtewan’s southeast are stepping up to help those that have suffered following unprecedented flooding across the province.

Over the last 10 days, around 35 evacuees from Roche Percee have been welcomed by the town of Bienfait, which lies just four kilometres away. The evacuees set up in trailers, brought in by the RM of Coalfields, next to the town's hockey rink.

It's an ideal place offering power, bathrooms, showers, and a kitchen for them to use.

Stacy Dutka and her husband are organizing what has become a flood of donations that people just keep contributing to.

“There is no school in Roche Percee and there is no rink in Roche Percee. So those kids always come to school here in Bienfait. They play their sports here in Bienfait, so it just seemed like, as the next community, we should step up and lend a hand,” explained Dutka.

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It began with food, brought to the rink by town residents and donated by local companies. The rink's four deep freezers and five refrigerators are full and the public is being asked to hold off on bringing more donations for the time being.

That isn't the extent of the town's generosity either.

Half a dozen tables inside the rink are covered with clothes, shoes, games, and toys for evacuated families.

“People have just been dropping stuff off. It started as clothes but it became books and kids games, towels and toiletries, bed sheets, video games, puzzles, and if they need it they can find it. If they can't then maybe we can track it down,” said Dutka.

Bienfait hosts dinner for flood evacuees

A local company donated 14 turkeys so the rink could host a massive dinner for evacuees Wednesday night.

Stacy Dutka and her husband decided to open up the event to surrounding municipalities.

Around 200 people are expected to attend, including some from as far as Oxbow.

Members of the public who aren't evacuees are being asked to donate what they can to the relief effort.

ahill@panow.com