How Tri-State Folks Can Help Those Impacted by Hurricanes

In the past month, the eastern United States has been hit hard by Hurricane Helene, and now those in Florida are bracing for Hurricane Milton, which could cause further chaos across the state.

Here in Southern Indiana, Illinois, and Western Kentucky, we’re no strangers to Mother Nature’s fury. We’ve experienced devastating tornadoes, flooding, and ice storms that left us without power for weeks. While these natural disasters bring a lot of hardship, they often inspire communities to come together and support one another. When the deadly Mayfield tornado struck western Kentucky in December 2021, people from all over the country stepped up to help, donating supplies and lending a hand.

Now, the individuals affected by the latest storms need our support and tri-staters are in action. Here's how you can help.

Donate Supplies

First off, it's very important to be picky about who you donate supplies to. Disaster areas become easily overwhelmed by good-intentioned people who send items.

River of Life Church (and Surrounding Businesses)

Multiple area businesses and organizations are coming together to collect supplies. River of Life Church is working in connection with a church in North Carolina where they are storing the items and taking them to responders and residents daily. You can drop off at River of Life Church, Lee's Barber Shop, Cabinets by Design, 5/3 Bank, 4 Good Community, and Dollhouse Beauty in Henderson, Chi Rho Chiropractic in Morganfield, Chris Buckman in Corydon/Geneva, or Lawman Tactical in Evansville.

Supplies that are needed are:

Protein Bars
Meal Replacement Packs
Flashlights
Batteries
Tools
Drywall
Shelves
Rubber and Utility Gloves
Starlink Communication Devices
OTC Meds
Personal and Femine Hygiene Items
Diapers and Wipes
Baby Bottles and Formula
Can Openers
Dog and Cat Food
Monetary Donations

First Federal Savings Bank & Gibco Motor Express

First Federal Savings Bank is partnering with Gibco Motor Express, LLC to support those affected by the recent hurricane. To make it easier for our community to contribute, Gibco has parked a semi-truck at our Operations Center, ready to accept donations of essential items. The truck will remain on-site until it is full, after which it will be transported to the disaster areas for distribution.

Donations can be dropped off at the First Federal Savings Bank Operations Center located at 4920 Davis Lant Drive, Evansville, IN 47715, starting October 8, 2024, until the truck is full. The truck will be available for donations from Monday through Saturday, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM CST. We are collecting:

non-perishable food
water
diapers
baby formula
NEW clothing
toiletries
batteries
flashlights
blankets
pet food
camping gear

Please stay tuned for further details on how to make monetary donations. In the meantime, consider donating essential items to provide humanitarian relief to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.

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Ryder Integrated Logistics: 6920 Hwy 431 in Owensboro, KY

Ryder Integrated Logistics is working with Second Harvest Food Bank of Winstem Salem of North Carolina to distribute supplies in the area. They'll be taking a truck when the community fills it up. Here are items that are needed:

Water - gallons or bottles
Non perishable food items
Baby Food
Snacks
Non-electric can openers
Disposable utensils
Safety gear - boots, work gloves, flashlights, batteries, bug spray
Speciality infant infant and elderly items - diapers, wipes, formula
Person Hygene items - femine products, soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deoderant, hand sanitizer
Phone chargers
Towels and wash clothes
Toilet Paper
Heavy duty trash bags
Cleaning Supplies

Ryder Intl

Open Your Home

Emergency Fosters Needed Wednesday at Warrick and Vanderburgh Humane Societies

The WHS and VHS has partnered with Best Friends Animal Society to rescue animals from the disaster relief efforts related to Hurricane Helene. To make space for these incoming dogs, they urgently need emergency fosters for their current shelter animals.

Those interested in helping WHS can fill out a Foster Application before visiting the shelter, noting “Emergency Foster” under the animal's name. The WHS Shelter will be open Wednesday from 12 PM to 7 PM, and they need as many animals as possible to be adopted or fostered to prepare for the new arrivals on Thursday.

The WHS will be offering FREE ADOPTIONS starting today, October 9th until October 13th. This applies to every available pet in their care: dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, small animals, and cats at River Kitty Cat Cafe. Browse pets and apply for adoption here: https://www.vhslifesaver.org/adopt/the-adoption-process .

If you cannot commit to adoption, fostering helps as well. Link to foster information & applications: https://www.vhslifesaver.org/get-involved/foster .

This is a significant undertaking for the shelter, and they will need financial assistance to cover unexpected vet expenses, medications, and vaccines for such a large intake. Donations are greatly appreciated. For anyone considering adoption, now is the perfect time!

Here are the dogs that need to be fostered at WHS.

Donate Money

Want to donate some cash but not sure who is reputable? No worries, charitynavigator.org lays out who will be the best stewards of your money and helps you avoid scams.

If you are organizing a fundraiser or supply drive, please contact us at evansville.dme@townsquaremedia.com.

Essential Winter Emergency Kit Items

Winter season in means cold temperatures, heavy snow, and slick roads. Hopefully, you won't ever need to tap into your winter emergency kit, but it's better to have one in your car than to be unprepared. Make sure you have these essential items in your car before winter arrives in Montana.

Gallery Credit: Connor Kenney/Townsquare Media Quad Cities

Source: How Tri-State Folks Can Help Those Impacted by Recent Hurricanes