BECKER, Minnesota — The community stepped up to help firefighters working the recycling plant fire in Becker.
Crews have been working around the clock since the fire broke out at the Northern Metal Recycling plant early Tuesday morning.
Donations have been pouring in at the fire station in Becker.
"The response from the community has actually been amazing," said Kent Graning, who has been a Becker firefighter for the past 13 years. "We literally can't put any more stuff in our refrigerators."
Graning said they currently do not need any more physical donations but they're very thankful for all the help. On Thursday afternoon at the fire station, there were tables full of food, beverages, gloves, hand warmers, boot & shoe dryers and more.
Some of those donations are thanks to Madellyn Monnier, 9, and her mom. Madellyn—a third grader at Becker Intermediate School—dropped off 94 pairs of gloves at the fire station on Wednesday.
"My teacher one day said to me that sometimes if you help other people do nice things, then they'll start doing it. And then eventually it goes on," Madellyn said.
Madellyn's mom, Lacey Monnier, said they saw a Facebook post from their church, Faith Lutheran in Becker, that mentioned firefighters needed extra gloves.
She started making calls to businesses in the area and nearly all of them agreed to donate gloves. Madellyn and Lacey picked them all up and then delivered the gloves to the fire station.
"When the fireman patted her [Madellyn] on the back, she thought that that was the best," Lacey said.
Many local businesses helped out, as well.
Bluestone Grill in Monticello brought in enough food on Wednesday to feed 75 firefighters.
"I think everybody just kind of steps up. Becker's a smaller community, and it's a tight-knit community, and you just gotta step up where you're needed," said Scott Pauly, owner of Bluestone Grill.
Von Hanson's Meats in Monticello also donated food as a thank you to the firefighters.
"It's a huge, huge fire with lots of firefighters working around the clock. We're a local community. It's affecting lots of people that are customers of ours so we just wanted to give them something to eat," said Andrew Stack, store manager.
While firefighters do not need any more physical donations at this time, Faith Lutheran Church in Becker has started an online fundraiser. Money raised will support the Becker Fire Rescue Relief Association.