Western Kentucky Resources

Posted on | by Emily Bandy

In the aftermath of the tornado that impacted Western Kentucky on Friday, December 10, PCAK has compiled a list of resources and ways to help those impacted. This list will be updated regularly as we receive additional needs from our Partners across the state.

Resources

The Kentucky Nonprofit Network is compiling a list of resources available as well as those needing assistance. To list a resource or request assistance, please use the forms below.

1. If your nonprofit is providing services to those impacted, please share the information here: https://bit.ly/nonprofitstormservices.

2. If your nonprofit needs assistance to be able to get up and running to provide services, please share that information here: https://bit.ly/nonprofitstormneeds.

Additionally, His House Ministries, a nondenominational church in Mayfield is organizing volunteers to clear debris and serving hot meals for victims of the tornado. Members are posting daily updates on their Facebook page, here: https://www.facebook.com/hishousetv.

Governor Beshear and Team Kentucky have developed this webpage to provide answers on a variety of topics: https://governor.ky.gov/tornadoresources

Donations

1. Top Shelf Lobby is organizing a Christmas Toy Drive and diaper drive for those in the Mayfield community. Unwrapped donations will be accepted at Top Shelf Lobby (302 Shelby Street, Frankfort, KY 40601) or Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky (801 Corporate Drive, Ste. 120, Lexington, KY 40503) until noon on Friday, December 17.

2. The Kentucky Emergency Management Division has organized a survey to collect information from those who would like to donate their skills or time to those in Western Kentucky. At this time, please do not head to Western Kentucky thinking you are going to be able to help, as there are state and federal officials on-site coordinating all details and volunteer efforts.

Complete the survey here.

3. If you are interested in donating items to those in Mayfield, donations can be taken or shipped to the Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds (1004 KY-121, Mayfield, KY 42066). Items needed include: water, flash lights, head lamps, batteries, work/ utility gloves, new socks, new undergarments, blankets, coats, warm clothes, shoes, and toiletry items).

4. Blood donation is especially important in the aftermath of a natural disaster. To donate blood at your local Kentucky Red Cross, please visit this link: https://www.redcrossblood.org/. To donate blood through the Kentucky Blood Center, please visit this link: https://kybloodcenter.org/find-a-drive/.

5. Governor Beshear has organized a Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund which will accept monetary contributions. To donate, visit this link: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/WKYRelief.

6. The Red Cross is currently accepting monetary donations several different ways:

a. Donate online here:

b. Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief

c. To donate by phone via credit care, or to ask questions about donating money to the Red Cross, please call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669).

7. The United Way of Kentucky is accepting monetary donations to support impacted communities. To donate, visit this website: https://www.uwky.org/tornado. Families needing help can also call 211, Kentucky’s United Way helpline 24/7, 365 days a year.

8. The Rex Chapman Foundation is partnering with the Blue Grass Community Foundation to assist with tornado relief efforts. Donations are accepted online here: https://bgcf.givingfuel.com/rex-chapman-relief-fund.

9. Those in Dawson Springs especially need tarps, totes, and blankets.

10. Mercy Chefs, based in Virginia, are deploying to Mayfield to provide meals to victims. You can donate to their disaster relief efforts here: https://mercychefs.com/kytornado/.

11. Disaster Relief At Work, Inc. (DRAW) aims to help communities across the United States during natural disasters. DRAW is providing needed supplies to the affected communities from Kentucky to Arkansas in the next 24-36 hours. You Can support DRAW’s efforts here: https://drawbuckets.org/.

12. The Johnson Bar, a local business in Paducah, is collecting items to donate to first responders. For a list of items to donate and more information, please visit their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/thejohnsonbar/.

13. The Community foundation of Western Kentucky has set up a Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. Donations can be mailed to- CFWS Disaster Relief Fund PO Box 7 Paducah, KY 42001, dropped off at the US Bank Building- 333 Broadway, Suite 530, Paducah, KY 42001, or made online here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ZJN8MRXNLQV2G.

14. Mayfield Community Foundation is accepting monetary donations here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mayfield-kentucky-tornado-relife

15. The Kentucky State Police have created a Western Kentucky Tornado Relief page, found here: https://kentuckystatepolice.org/westernky-relief/.  This page contains opportunities for volunteering, donations, and FEMA relief.

For another list of ways to assist Western Kentucky, please visit WDRB’s website, here: https://www.wdrb.com/news/how-to-help-victims-impacted-by-the-tornadoes-in-western-kentucky/article_c6f80c6e-5aaf-11ec-bcbb-af18ae919a3a.html.

Shelter, Food, and Clothing Needs

The Kentucky Red Cross is working with those impacted in Western Kentucky. If your home was damaged or destroyed by the severe weather, and you need Red Cross assistance, you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS. If you need a safe place to stay, you can find a list of open shelters here: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html.

The Kentucky Red Cross has established the following shelters:

  • First United Methodist Church,100 Church St., Hickman, KY 42050 – Contact: Justin Jackson 270-254-0261
  • Wingo Old Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 334 Lebanon St, Wingo, KY 42088 – Contact: Pastor RB Mays 270-983-0333
  • The Way Center, 449 Lebanon Street, Wingo, KY, 42088 – Contact: Pastor Ike Murphy 270-564-0699 (The Wingo Old Cumberland Presbyterian church and The Way are next door to each other and are sharing resources)
  • Fancy Farm Knights of Columbus Hall, 20 KY Hwy 39, Fancy Farm, Kentucky, 42039, – Contact: Todd Hayden, Commissioner 270-705-1051
  • Lone Oak First Baptist Church, 3601 Lone Oak Road, Paducah, KY 42003 – Contact: Pastor Hank Garner 704-699-3473

Healthcare Resources

The American Psychological Association has resources available for everyone regarding how to process anxieties and fears following a tornado. Those resources can be found here:

Utility Resources

The contact for the Western Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative is 1-877-495-7322. The Western Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative operates Monday- Friday 7:30 AM- 5:00 PM.

Additionally, LG and E/ Kentucky Utilities can be contacted at 1-800-981-0600.

Monetary donations are being accepted at the organizations/ entities below:

Below, please find links for Go Fund Me accounts for the tornado devastation that hit Community Action Agencies in Kentucky.  This money will go to support and resources for each agency.  

Community Action of Southern Kentucky: https://www.gofundme.com/f/community-action-of-southern-ky-tornado-relief – Bowling Green and other areas within their service region.

Pennyrile Allied Community Services: https://www.gofundme.com/f/db9sq2-pacs-tornado-relief-fund – Dawson Springs, Princeton and other areas within their service region.

West Kentucky Allied Services: https://www.gofundme.com/f/wkas-tornado-relief-fund – Mayfield and other areas within their service region.