LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville nonprofits are working to support neighbors affected by Fourth of July storm, including a tornado that touched down in west Louisville for a little over half of a mile.
Brandi Dunn, Roshon Blakey and other volunteers with Parents Against Violence Engagement (PAVE) went door to door passing out flyers to let neighbors who were affected know about a pop-up pantry put on by Dare to Care Food Bank.
“So we just want to make sure that all the residents in this neighborhood have everything that they need to continue living. That’s what we want,” said Dunn.
Dunn and Blakey say PAVE’s headquarters at the Baptist Fellowship Center was heavily damaged, but in spite of the difficulties they face, they want to continue to help the community.
“Anything we can do to help a parent when they’re stressed and struggle, feeling low in need, we’re here to help them. So this is just part of what we do,” said Dunn.
“I’m just glad to be able to extend a hand to the community. Again, you know, we all fall,” said Blakely.
The pop-up food pantry happened on Tuesday, July 9, in the Dare to Care parking lot. Dare to Care President and CEO Vincent James says they have seen a 30% uptick in demand for food and because of the storm, it has increased more.
“It’s a great opportunity for Dare to Care to be able to provide that immediate response that’s needed to neighbors now as they’re settling back in. Some of which the power’s back on, but it may have been, you know, two or three days before they’ve had power, so their food is gone. So we want to be able to try to replace that,” said James.
Thomas Right says all their food is spoiled because of the July Fourth storm, which knocked out all the power in their home.
But Right is happy that organizations like PAVE and Dare to Care are trying to help the community in this time of need.
“Because everybody needs some food and not how many people are here, they’d be surprised. They have a house, they have somewhere to stay, but they don’t have no food. So it’s good that they actually are doing this because some people really need this at this time,” said Right.
“You know, just to see the people out and know that they have something to eat. It’s a good cause. It truly is a good cause. It’s a good thing, people have something to eat,” said Blakey.
The pop-up food pantry served 120 families in need. Dare to Care Food Bank has 20 other pantry partners in west Louisville, providing access to food throughout the week.
PAVE will be holding their meetings at the Dare to Care Food Bank facility until their space at Baptist Fellowship Center has been repaired.
Dare to Care has a number of locations in west Louisville for those who were impacted by the storms:
- Greater Friendship Baptist Church/F.A.C.E.S. :
2325 Osage Ave., Louisville, KY 40210 - Historic Calvary Missionary Baptist Church :
1368 S 28th Street, Louisville, KY 40211 - Redeemer Lutheran Church : 3640 River Park Dr., Louisville, KY 40211
- Hope Distribution Center: 1811 Standard Ave, Louisville, KY 40210
- Walnut Street Baptist Church:
1617 W Kentucky St, Louisville, KY 40210 - Sister Visitor Center:
2235 W. Market St, Louisville, KY 40212 - Neighborhood House:
201 N. 25 St, Louisville, KY 40212 - Portland Memorial Baptist Church: 3713 W. Market St, Louisville, KY 40212
- St. Augustine Church:
1310 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203 - Servant’s Heart Worship Center (Urban Ministry Center):
2900 Slevin St., Louisville, KY 40212
You can find a Dare to Care location near you on its website.