Try to imagine surviving a fire that tears through your home. Now imagine living through a hurricane 20 years later, losing everything you own to flood waters.

This is the story of Meartice Edge. However, this is not just a story of a Hurricane Irene victim and her family, but also a story of hope delivered in the form of warm, new clothes.

Prior to the hurricane, Meartice shared her North Jersey apartment with her two sons, Ezequiel, 21 and Ronald, 23.

When we learned of the destruction in the North Jersey area, we went to work assessing needs, gathering resources and partnering with local agencies.

Catholic Charities, an agency tied to the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, organized a clothing drive to meet local needs and disperse brand new clothing donated by Dignity U Wear sponsors.

Edge, along with her sons and approximately 50 families, walked the isles of neatly folded clothes knowing that, in that moment, they had one less thing to worry about.

For families like these, we know that clothing meets more than a physical need. It offers a sense of hope and comfort in knowing that people care.

Hickman family members make their selections. PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID BERGELAND / NORTHJERSEY.COM STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER