How to help victims of the Middle Tennessee tornado

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — As Middle Tennessee continues the clean-up process following deadly tornadoes, there are multiple ways to help those affected by the storms.

TENNESSEE STRONG FOOD DRIVES

NewsChannel 5 has partnered with Kroger to hold several #TennesseeStrong Food Drives. You can donate to the tornado relief efforts on specific days at the following Kroger locations from 4 - 7 p.m.:

Thursday, March 12
5319 Mt. View Road, Antioch, TN 37013

Wednesday, March 18
7087 Hwy 70 south Bellevue Nashville, TN 37221

Wednesday, March 25
2020 Mallory Lane Franklin, TN 37067

Wednesday, April 1
4432 Veterans Parkway Murfreesboro, Tn 37128

Wednesday, April 8
237 East Main Street, Hendersonville

Wednesday, April 15
5771 Nolensville Road, Nashville

Wednesday, April 22
463 Sam Ridley Pkwy, Smyrna

Wednesday, April 29
800 Monroe Street, Nashville

DONATE

NewsChannel 5 has also teamed up with Generous to support the ongoing disaster relief efforts throughout the mid-state. Funds will go to groups who are on the ground working to respond to immediate disaster relief needs and to rebuild.

Through Generous, donors can choose to support the following organizations:

• Second Harvest Food
• Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee
• Nashville Tree Foundation
• Nashville Humane Association

Click here to donate to the Tennessee Strong fund through Generous

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee quickly activated the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund to support the affected communities and the nonprofits who are helping victims address their needs. Click here to donate directly to the Community Foundation.

One day after the tornado, a total of $2.1 million was donated to Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and more than 17,000 people have signed up to volunteer with Hands On Nashville. There were so many people trying to access the site that it crashed multiple times Tuesday.

“We know when disasters strike, there are no quick fixes,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “We need to support the affected communities and the nonprofits on the ground helping victims and addressing their needs.

The Community Resource Center has been accepting donations, specifically personal hygiene items, bleach, trash bags, gloves, flash lights, batteries and box cutters. However, as of March 7, they've requested the community pause on further donations until they process that they have.

The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon counties is offering a giving opportunity by clicking here. Donations may also be made by texting RELIEF2020 to 41444 to give via mobile. They say 100% of funds will support relief efforts.

VOLUNTEER

Hands On Nashville is also accepting volunteers. You can sign up by clicking this link. So far, 18,000 volunteers have signed up.

Here are more ways to help.

DAVIDSON COUNTY

• Every $1 donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank will provide four meals. You can donate through their website secondharvestmidtn.org or by calling 615-329-3491. If you'd like to volunteer for the food bank, visit secondharvestmidtn.org.
• The Nashville Sounds are asking for manpower assistance from those who have pickup trucks and/or chainsaws to help in the effort to clear debris. All items to be donated can be dropped off at the Home Plate Entrance to First Horizon Park located at 19 Junior Gilliam Way at any point from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. this Thursday (3/5) through Sunday (3/8).
• The Nashville Rescue Mission's Campus for Women and Children, located in the Salemtown/Buena Vista/Germantown area, is currently without power. Until power is restored, the Mission needs the following donations: Individually wrapped sandwiches or the supplies to make them, Individual servings of chips, fruit cups, drinks, etc; batteries, flashlights, bath towels, battery-operated fans
• Donations accepted at Metro Animal Care & Control for its Pet Food Bank. Food as well as collars and leashes are needed.
• Project 615 is giving all profits from its Nashville Strong T-shirts to the Middle Tennessee Emergency Response Fund by the Community Foundation of Middle TNto aid in disaster relief.
• Tailgate Brewery is offering temporary work. Email social@tailgatebeer.com.
• Lee Chapel AME (1200 Dr. DB Todd Jr Boulevard is accepting donations and providing items for storm victims.
• Kingdom Cafe (2610 Jefferson Street) is accepting donations and providing items for storm victims.
• Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church (2708 Jefferson St) is accepting and distributing donations of toiletries, diapers, clothing, towels, and bottled water.
• Tennessee Brew Works is dedicating its 5th annual Crawfish Boil to storm victims, raising funds for The Community Foundation. The event is on Saturday, March 7 from 11 am to 10 pm.

MT. JULIET

• Mt. Juliet residents who are interested in volunteering with cleanup efforts can register online by clicking here.
• Donations toward the relief effort can be taken to the Mt. Juliet Church of Christ. The following items are being accepted. Clothing is currently not being taken: trash bags, hammers/nails, Tylenol/Ibuprofen, sunscreen, bottled water, ziploc bags, shovel, work gloves, baby wipes, lysol wipes.
• Mt. Juliet Church of Christ is also accepting monetary donations. Directions on how to give can be found at mtjuliet.org/relief .

REMEMBER: If you physically go to a community to help, be sure to be dressed appropriately and bring helpful items/tools if possible. Click here for a list of things to wear/bring.

PUTNAM COUNTY

• Cash donations are accepted at any Bank of Putnam County location or on Venmo: @CookevillePutnamCountyTornado or Paypal: @CookevillePutnamCountyTornadoReliefFund . These are the only designated accounts with 100% of donations going directly to the impacted victims. More information can be found here.
• Donations are being accepted at Jackson Plaza from 8am - 5pm Thursday (3/5) and Friday (3/6): blankets, clothing, first aid supplies, non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, pet supplies, water
• Portland High School will host a blood drive in the gymnasium on Monday (3/9) from 9:30am - 1:30pm.
• As of Wednesday March 4, no volunteers are needed or will be allowed in the area affected by the tornado. Volunteers will be needed during the cleanup process, which will come at a later date.
• Cookeville business Halo is making special shirts with the message "We rise by lifting others" with all profits being donated to Help Now as recommended by Cookeville City Mayor Ricky Shelton and County Mayor Randy Porter. You can order shirts on their website.