Ways to Help Those Impacted by the Western Kentucky Tornadoes

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Hey y’all.

By now, we’ve all seen the horrible footage of the tornado damage in Western Kentucky. It’s absolutely heartbreaking, and most Kentuckians have friends, relatives, or coworkers who have been impacted in some way. We’re all looking for ways to help our Commonwealth.

FEMA’s guidelines for helping in disaster situations remind us that:

  1. Cash is always the best donation because organizations on the ground can best assess need;

  2. Confirm the need for in-kind donations. Used clothing is never a good donation, FEMA reminds us;

  3. Connect to volunteer. Self-deployment is not a helpful use of resources.

I know that many people are budgeted out for the holidays and aren’t quite able to donate to disaster relief as freely as they’d like right now. Remember: the damage to these Western Kentucky communities will last far beyond a news cycle. Of course, immediate donations of money, supplies, and blood are always needed when a disaster hits, but these Kentuckians will also need help in the months to come. This post will serve as an ongoing list of resources and ways that you can help. Please let me know either in the comments of this post or via email if you know of additional ways to help.

Monetary Donations:

The most crucial need for disaster relief is money. Organizations like the Red Cross, the United Way, and local charities can do the most good with your tax-deductible monetary donations. I’ve listed a few reputable sources below and will update as I hear of more.

Supply Drives:

In times of emergency, donated supplies are needed. Water, nonperishable food, feminine hygiene products, baby bottles and formula, diapers, and blankets are always immediate needs. Warm coats, hats, and gloves are needed, as are new underwear and socks. Toys provide comfort to displaced children. (And, please remember that supply drives are not a convenient way to offload old items. Your used clothing and stuffed animals are actually a hinderance to relief efforts.)


Lexington:

  • A semi truck will be parked at Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary Church (601 Hill N Dale Rd, Lexington, KY 40503) from Monday afternoon through early Wednesday morning 10/13-15th. Supplies may also be dropped off at Christ the King Church (299 Colony Blvd, Lexington, KY 40502). Needs include: toiletries, adult/children/infant clothing, diapers/formula, blankets, non perishable food, children's books, toys, coats and hats. Items can go directly in the back of the truck.

  • 2 Dudes Moving will be accepting bottled water, pop-top canned food, and other items in their semi truck at The Urban Squirrel (The Urban Squirrel, 203 Lisle Industrial Ave, Lexington, KY 40511) Monday-Wednesday 12/13-15th from 10-4.

Eastern Kentucky Schools:

Northeastern Kentucky Public School Districts have created a “Stuff the Bus” Drive for Schools will be stocking buses with supplies to send a support “caravan” across the state to those in need, according to the #TeamKentucky announcement. Each district is collecting specific items. Donated items should be sent to your child’s school or the district office by Wednesday, Dec. 15. Donation requests by school system are listed below.

  • Ashland: Personal hygiene items, socks

  • Boyd County: Water

  • Carter County: Coats, hats, gloves

  • Fairview: Shelf stable food, toiletries

  • Floyd County: Blankets

  • Greenup County: Toys

  • Johnson County: Water

  • Lawrence County: Cleaning supplies

  • Lewis County: Coats, hats, toys

  • Martin County: Stable food items, toiletries

  • Pike County: Toys

  • Paintsville: Blankets

  • Raceland: Water

  • Russell: Water

Louisville:

  • Bryce Applegate Motorsports and Fit4MomLouisville will be filling a trailer tomorrow, Monday the 13th, from 1-5 pm behind the Landis Lakes CVS (13900 Shelbyville Rd Louisville). Items requested include: diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, bottles, and feminine hygiene products. This trailer will be delivered to the Dawson Springs, KY area, a town highly impacted by the tornadoes.

  • Northeast Christian Church (9900 Brownsboro Road, Louisville 40241) is conducting a supply drive for Mayfield, KY. Supplies must be delivered by 6 PM Monday 12/13. Only new, unopened items will be accepted. Only bring the items requested by pastors in Mayfield: Non-perishable food, healthy snacks, pet food, food & gas gift cards (Kroger), paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, toiletries, baby wipes, new pillows, sleeping bags, blankets. Drop off items at ether Brownsboro Campus in the bins by the main entrance.

Donation-based Items for Purchase:

  • Shop Local Kentucky’s Kentucky Strong 270 Tee is available in three colors. 100% of net proceeds will be donated directly to the state’s tornado relief fund.

I’ll add to this post over the next few days as more donation opportunities arise. Please feel free to let me know of any donation drives or fundraising opportunities I may have missed.

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