A major donation effort is underway in Perth Amboy for the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

The island was devastated by the storm, which knocked out power to most of the area. Officials say that they are also running out of food.

Many Perth Amboy residents say that donating and helping out the cause isn’t just a volunteer effort – it’s personal because many have family in Puerto Rico.

“I’ve cried. I’ve hurt and at this point I just have to put it to God,” says volunteer Max Torres. Torres says that she is worried about family members who live on the island.

Volunteers spent the day packing up canned goods, hygiene products and pallets of water to be shipped out to hurricane victims.

Puerto Rico’s governor is calling the situation a humanitarian crisis due to the lack of food and other essentials.

Volunteer Nelson Torres says that he has been unable to reach his parents, who live in Puerto Rico. He spent much of Tuesday helping to pack the supplies.

“If this shipment doesn’t affect my family directly, it’s still going to affect someone else’s,” he says. “And someone else’s package will affect my family. So we’re all giving.”

The items collected will be shipped or flown to San Juan.

Donations will be collected for the next two days. More information about the donation drive can be found HERE.