But that doesn’t mean the community hasn’t rallied to support the families of the five girls killed and five girls wounded, as well as the firemen and others helping out with the aftermath.

The Bart Township Fire Company does have one modest-sized table holding flowers, cards and a large, stuffed rabbit left by mourners.

But as an Amish man said today, those things aren’t really needed.

“In our funerals, we don’t do flowers,” said Sam Fisher, manager of the Nickel Mines Auction along Mine Road.

The Amish instead would appreciate a donation to one of the several funds created to help out the families, he said.

“They will all have tremendous hospital bills,” Fisher said.

Bart Township Fire Chief Curt Woerth said the real story of community support — on top of all the time emergency responders and others have contributed — is in the firehall’s kitchen.

“The community’s support with food, willingness to give time ... it has been outstanding,” he said.

The ladies auxiliary at the fire company has been serving meals ever since the tragedy occurred — some 600 or more already.

They provide meals to fire police and others helping out, and they also have delivered meals to the families affected by the shooting.

This morning, eggs, pancakes, ham and coffee were all hot for the taking.

“Food is always out for the workers because you never know when you will get a break,” said Jodi LeFevre, an emergency medical technician in charge of the food donations.

She said the Amish have a specific, ready-made list of food they need for a funeral of 300 to 400 people.

It includes 120 pounds of beef chuck, six turkey hams, 60-pound block of cheese, 24 loaves of bread, 32 dozen sandwich rolls, 20 pounds of butter, eight boxes of ground coffee, four boxes of powder for chocolate milk, 40 pounds of sugar, five pounds of salt.

Plus 20 head of cabbage, 800 Styrofoam coffee cups, two cases of toilet paper, two cases of paper towels, 10 quarts of vinegar and juice boxes for 200 children.

The fire company got the list and multiplied the numbers on it by four for the four funerals over the next several days.

Wal-Mart already has supplied enough food for all four funerals, according to LeFevre.

But she said many other grocery stores and restaurants, as well as other businesses and residents throughout the county and beyond, also have contributed generously.

“You name it, we got it,” one woman serving fire personnel this morning said.

Chief Woerth said volunteers from as far away as Chester and Montgomery counties have come to relieve local fire police, who are still directing traffic and keeping a still-strong contingent of national and perhaps international media away from some private properties near the Amish school.

Some in the community have their own ways of letting the Amish community know they support them.

Dot Fenninger of 213!-W Miller Street, Strasburg, flew her American flag at half-staff today.

A large sign in a yard along Route 896 in Bart Township said: “Our Prayers and Thoughts are With You All.”

A wreath made of roses and in the shape of a heart was hung in front of the house at 1058 Georgetown Road (Route 896).

Other signs hinted that some local businesses may be tiring of media. One said, “Customer Parking Only.”

A sign at the Nickel Mines Auction said media parking would only be available there until 9 a.m. today.

Amish in the area didn’t construct any memorials along area roads.

They did take advantage of the warm sunshine by hanging out their laundry to dry.

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