Two neighboring Rush Township businesses have joined forces to provide relief aid to victims of Superstorm Sandy and are asking the public to support their efforts.

Basile's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, 401 Claremont Ave., Hometown, and Northeastern Hydro-Seeding Company, 411 Claremont Ave., are hoping to fill a large truck with essential supplies and nonperishable foods, all of which will be delivered to hurricane and flood victims in the afflicted New York and New Jersey area.The project is the result of talks between the business owners who decided to merge their plans, namely Vito and Paola Basile at the restaurant, and Wayne Postupack at the adjacent hyrdo-seeding and landscape operation.Basile and Postupack hope that others in the region will join in the mission by contributing essentials."We could use just about anything people in that situation would need," says Vito Basile. "Canned food, clothing, diapers, cleaning supplies, all kinds of things."Other items needed are gloves, shoes and boots, coats, blankets, garbage bags and water. Clothing and shoes can be new or used.Basile said the large truck will remain positioned at the restaurant's parking lot and donors are encouraged to drop off contributions.The truck was placed in position late Thursday and can be seen alongside Route 309 across and slightly north of the Hometown Wal-mart Supercenter. The truck is expected to remain in place for about one week.Donors are reminded that any food contributions must be nonperishable.The truckload of supplies will then make its mission of mercy to the affected region in conjunction with the American Red Cross.