KENTUCKY — A series of catastrophic tornadoes have left dozens of Kentuckians dead and caused untold damage to the western part of the state.

So how can you help those in need?

What You Need To Know

  • More than 80 people are feared dead due to tornadoes in western Kentucky

  • The tornado devastated the small town of Mayfield, Kentucky

  • Bowling Green also received significant damage from at least an EF-3 level twister

  • Dozens of organizations are collecting money and items for those affected

Gov. Andy Beshear has activated the Kentucky National Guard to assist with searching for survivors and President Joe Biden has directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist in Mayfield, Bowling Green and surrounding areas in 10 Kentucky counties.

But there are also opportunities for those Kentuckians who were not harmed by the storms to help their neighbors by donating items or money.

Donation locations

Paducah Shooters Supply is collecting food and personal hygiene items.

The Mayfield Police Department is collecting items at the Northside Baptist Church. They're asking for coats, cleaning supplies and Christmas gifts. 

Louisville Corrections FOP Lodge 77 is collecting items at Metro Corrections in downtown Louisville. The items will be delivered Monday. Louisville lawn service company Zeppa's is also planning to deliver relief items. They're collecting through Wednesday. 

The Kentucky Education Development Corporation is collecting toys and items to help tornado victims at its locations in Lexington and Ashland. They plan to deliver the items on Monday, Dec. 20.

Lexington Brokers and Realtors Association and Wildcat Moving have teamed up to collect relief items and deliver them to western Kentucky throughout the week.

The Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Service is collecting items at their location in Alexandria. They're asking for water, blankets, socks, and cleaning wipes. 

Other locations you can donate clothes, food, water and other supplies:

 

Where to give money

Gov. Beshear and his team established the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund to assist those impacted by the tornados and the severe weather system.

The Western Kentucky Red Cross has set up an online fundraiser through Facebook, allowing people to donate to its efforts to shelter, feed and provide emotional support for those suffering from the effects of the tornado.

Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief is raising money to assist in its efforts in western Kentucky to feed the displaced and clean up after the storm.

Students from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine have set up a GoFundMe to help "local organizations that are providing aid to those displaced and in need of supplies."

Convoy of Hope, the United Way of Kentucky and the Mayfield Community Foundation are also collecting donations for disaster relief. The Mayfield/Graves County United Way has also set up a GoFundMe.

 

Lexington-based clothing company Kentucky Branded is selling a “Pray for Kentucky” T-shirt for $20 with “the net proceeds from the sales” going to western Kentucky communities.

Shop Local Kentucky is a “Kentucky Strong” shirt that will also see net proceeds go to western Kentucky areas in need. As of Sunday afternoon, Shop Local Kentucky reported earning over $210,000 in net proceeds from their shirt.

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