ANDERSON, S.C. —

Jamaica Relief Ministries, a nonprofit based in the Upstate, filled a private plane with supplies as it took off for Montego Bay, Jamaica, to assist people affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Before the morning sun lifted the fog Wednesday, pounds of supplies, such as baby formula, water, food and other nonperishable items, were packed into the Beechcraft airplane at the Anderson Regional Airport.

"Right now, people are not asking for new roofs and new houses. They're asking for water, and then, they're asking for food, in that order," Executive Director Duane Cross said.

Jamaica Relief Ministries has been active on the island for more than 20 years, and this flight comes more than a week after Hurricane Melissa battered the island with 185 mph winds.

"It is definitely a

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