If it takes a village to raise a child, then it takes more than a community to clean up and help fix a city after it is struck by a powerful tornado.

Rome is still feeling the aftermath of a tornado that tore through the city on Tuesday afternoon.

Some are now out of work, and the issue of no electricity continues to affect residents.

Looking around the city of Rome, it’s hard not to find evidence of the tornado. But you’ll also find evidence of compassion and selflessness.

Free meals were being distributed Thursday off North James Street.

“I'm calling it a family cookout here at in the city of Rome to really just bring everybody together, and just continue to make sure that they're eating warm meals," said Danielle Martin, co-leader of Connected Community Schools. "We still have family displaced from their homes without power. So if we can continue to make sure that they have access to breakfast, lunch and dinner, and then once people have power, we can then start to mitigate."

Connected Community Schools is leading the charge as many donations come in.

They’ve set up a spot for services, donations and fellowship.

“We are over thousands at this point of people coming back. I've actually met a couple of new friends of Forza and had familiar faces from yesterday, today. So people are accessing, utilizing the resources that we have on-site. Not only do we have a charging station, but we have so many businesses and organizations that are here on-site," Martin said.

“I think people are struggling with the what's going to be tomorrow, what's going to be next week," said said Melissa Roys, co-leader of Connected Community Schools. "We have houses that are still deemed unsafe. We have families that have not been able to enter their homes to see what's going to happen next week. We have families, obviously, in the shelter. There's a lot of uncertainty."

The efforts are making a big difference.

“I only get one check a month, and I have no food or water. And I rely on one check and all my food is gone. So these services are really needed in the community," said Rome resident Pat Delaney.

Donations are still needed. The organization plans on continuing to help with their handouts as the need is great. The American Red Cross has a shelter open in Rome with meals and other services located at 394 Hangar Road.

Oneida County government officials said Friday on social media that the Lyft app is "crediting rides within Rome for up to $26 each way up until 8 p.m." The ride requests can be made at this link.