Kentucky Tornado Aid - Food4Lives

We are shocked by the tragedy of a record-breaking Tornado that tore through Arkansas and Kentucky this past weekend, destroying over 1000 homes, shutting down the heat and water across cities, and killing more than 70 people.

For almost four years, Food4Lives has been dedicated to its community of volunteers that tirelessly and passionately serve the needs of our most vulnerable. We are a proud grassroots community of students, graduates, family members and volunteers. From Atlanta, to Athens, to Charlottesville we have hand-delivered nearly 90,000 meals to homeless encampments in the last two years alone. We have served hospital workers, policemen and protestors alike, impoverished communities, other non profits, and service-minded organizations of all kinds.

Over the last three days, we've been hearing the stories of the families in Kentucky devastated by the loss of their loved ones, homes, and communities. We feel that because we have the opportunity, it's only right that we show our support in person. This weekend, we will drive 6 hours to Maysfield with a contingent of volunteers to share our resources and help absorb the shock of what they have been through. We are asking for your help in raising money to fill our 28-foot box truck with 12 pallets of new supplies for the communities of Kentucky.

In particular, we are seeking funds to buy the following supplies in bulk:

bottled water

toilet paper

towels and toiletries

non-perishable food items

sleeping bags and tents

basic clothing and cold weather accessories

hygiene products

baby formula and diapers

With over 1000 homes destroyed, many more homes and buildings lost their roofs. Many people are now exposed to the elements, and with the water and electricity cut off in many towns, there is a long journey of rebuilding ahead. With low temperatures below freezing this week, we are hoping to respond quickly, so we are making our first trip this weekend with the possibility to resupply in the weeks to come.

You can be a part of this Emergency Relief by donating, or by simply sharing this message with others. It is a rare moment, that in this tragedy we can unite by thinking of others, by taking action to reach out when they need help. If you would like to join us, support our fundraising, or know someone who can, please feel free to email at [email redacted], at instagram.com/food4livesatl, or on Facebook at Food4Lives.

Quotes from the Community

"It's like something out of a movie to be honest with you...I mean, you know it could happen to your hometown, but you never think it will." - Devin Clarkson, 29, Bowling Green, Kentucky

"It was so quick. It was like different layers would come down and I could feel my body would like compact more. I was definitely being crushed." - Candle Worker Jim Douglas, hospitalized

"When this tornado hit, it didn't just take a roof off, which is what we've seen in the past... It exploded the whole house. People, animals, the rest -- just gone." - Kentucky Governor Bershear

"For some folks, I don't know that they'll ever recover from this completely, certainly not emotionally or psychologically. Homes and buildings can be rebuilt in time, but this is the kind of thing that lasts with the community and with the family for a long time." - Kentucky State Senator Whitney Westerfield

"Right now, our spirits are crushed, but we'll come back" - Hopkins County Coroner Dennis Mayfield, who reported a death toll of 13 in Dawson Springs alone.

**Response to questions

*We welcome donation drop-offs at our Food4Lives kitchen at 1122 Chatahoochee ave, NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, but due to the short timeline we are unable to pickup donations at this time.

*If you have contacts at other organizations interested in partnering or distributing collected items through us, please feel free to reach out.