Supplies from Patrick County may be on their way to flood-ravaged areas of Texas as early as Friday, according to Jimmy Willard, of Disaster Relief Food Ministry.
In a joint effort with Adam Wright and EMI, the ministry is collecting donations for a Texas Relief Mission to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, Willard said.
Penske is donating a truck and a trailer to take the donations to storm ravaged areas, and a trailer currently is set up to accept donations at EMI, 636 Commerce Street, Stuart, Willard said.
“We’re not going to turn anything down” in terms of donations, Willard said.
Two teens – Shae Cardwell and Anna Martin – donated ‘Blessings Bags,’ plastic bags filled with toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste and washcloths, using funds made from bake sales, according to Jane Cardwell, who joined Willard and Priscilla Lawson Monday to collect donations outside of Lowes Foods in Stuart.
Brenda Sims, of Patrick Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), brought dog and cat food to help, Willard said, and added his wife, Carol Willard, is the director of the food ministry that has responded to a number of disasters through the years.
“A lot of times the disasters I’ve worked in past, there’s more water than anything else,” Willard said. If anyone donates water, it is welcome, but “this time, we’re also asking for all types of personal hygiene products.
“Anything from razors, paper towels, toilet paper is in big demand, usually it’s the least (in supply) of toiletry items,” Willard said. “I’m really pushing hard for toiletries.”
Items needed include napkins; baby wipes; toothbrushes; toothpaste; deodorant; feminine products; shampoo and conditioner; soap/body wash; combs/brushes, “ anything like that for the ladies. As a matter of fact, I have several cases of makeup to take. You know when ladies can get cleaned up and put on makeup, they feel better,” he said.
Bath towels and washcloths, flashlights with extra batteries, Clorox wipes and first aid supplies like alcohol and peroxide also are needed, Willard said.
Cans of “pop top,” ready to eat foods, nabs/crackers and prepackaged cutlery are among other items to consider donating, Willard said, and added monetary donations also are welcome.
“Monetary donations will be a big plus, because I can buy needed staples at a discount from Feed America in Roanoke,” Willard said, and noted the discounted pricing will enable him to get more bang for his buck and help even more people.
To make a monetary donation, make check payable to: Disaster Relief Food Ministry, and mail to P.O. Box 993, Stuart, VA, 24171 or online at www.drfminc.com.
The 20- to 24-hour drive to Texas is slated to begin on Monday, Sept. 11, but based on Willard’s past experience with local response, he said he anticipates the truck load will be filled earlier, possibly by Sept. 9.
As a result, Willard said he and ministry transportation director Keith Hicks, of Bethany Baptist Church, may begin their journey to Victory Baptist Church in Baytown, a coastal town near Houston, as early as Friday.
Disaster Relief Food Ministry is a non-profit agency, and all donations are tax deductible.
For more information, call Willard at (276) 229-6272.
