Discarded Items at Airport Benefit Homeless

  

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - August 17, 2006 -- Items discarded at an airport in the response to a terror plot have turned into balm for the city's homeless.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County has started picking up some of the things people have jettisoned for security reasons as they board flights at the Eugene Airport.

Charley Harvey, assistant executive director of the charity, dug through trash bags Tuesday and took every bottle of shampoo and shaving cream he could find. The items will be distributed at the organization's First Place Family Center.

But he didn't take the can of Easy Cheese, or the minibottle of brandy, or the tube of something called Vampire's Blood.

"Oh, the things people bring on planes," said Harvey as he considered the item in his hand, a container of lavender body butter.

After investigators said they uncovered a plot in Britain to blow up aircraft, travelers tossed the items into trash bins in compliance with new rules prohibiting most liquids, lotions and gels in carry-on luggage.

"We're always looking for shampoo, toothpaste and other toiletries to help homeless families," Harvey said.

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