This past weekend, more than 20 tornadoes descended upon the Midwest and mid-South, destroying parts of western Kentucky.
According to Governor Andy Beshear, upwards of 80 people have been killed — that number is expected to climb, Beshear has said — and an untold number have been displaced by the devastation. The city of Mayfield was hit hard; an entire candle-making factory there was demolished by the storm, collapsing and trapping employees, and killing dozens, Beshear said. Tens of thousands of people remain without power.
On Dec. 11, Beshear announced a state of emergency for Kentucky in order to access federal emergency relief funds for those affected by the disaster. However, the relief fund won’t cover the entire cost of recovery and many people are looking for ways to help those impacted by the tornadoes.
Here are a few organizations raising funds and accepting donations:
- Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund: This was set up by Beshear to provide assistance to those affected by the storm.
- Matthew 25: Ministries: The organization says it is sending teams down to Mayfield to provide assistance to the devastated communities. Monetary donations are being accepted, as well as donations of bottled water, personal care products, cleaning supplies, paper products, baby and infant supplies and first-aid items.
- Western KY Red Cross Disaster Relief Fundraiser: This fundraiser through the American Red Cross hopes to provide food as well as emotional support for the impacted communities.
- Muslim Americans For Compassion Fundraiser: In collaboration with Muslim Communities of Kentucky, the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America, and Islamic Relief USA, this fundraising effort plans to use its funds to lead a “volunteer effort to clean up debris and assist in affected neighborhoods.”
- Newport Police Department: The local law-enforcement agency is asking for donations of supplies that will be taken down to Mayfield. Check the Facebook page to find a list of suggested items.
- Louisville Food Truck Owners Held Feed Tornado Victims: A group of Louisville food truck owners has gotten together to help provide hot meals to the victims and first responders in Mayfield. They have started a GoFundMe to cover the cost of supplies and truck operations, organizers say any leftover funds will go to the Let’s Empower Employment (LEE) Initiative Foundation.
- United Way of Kentucky: Organizers say they need monetary donations to help support the local communities impacted by the storm.
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