Kentucky tornadoes: How you can help

When there is a natural, or national, catastrophe, many want to know how they can help those impacted.

There are organizations that are spearheading donation efforts after multi-state tornadoes decimated some areas Friday night.

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Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund

Gov. Andy Beshear has started the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief fund. All donations are tax-deductible with donors receiving a receipt for tax purposes.

For information on how you can donate, visit the relief fund’s website.

Checks can be made out to the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, with “Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund” listed in the memo line.

The checks can be mailed to Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, 200 metro Street, 5th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40622.

>>Related: Kentucky tornadoes: Governor says death toll includes children ages 3, 5

United Way

If you would like to give through the United Way, there are two locations that are accepting online donations.

The United Way network in Kentucky said it will give 100% of funds donated directly to recovery efforts.

As for the United Way network in Tennessee, there are three individual county campaigns that are pledging help in the recovery efforts after the storms:

Dyer/Lake County

Gibson County

Weakley County

You can also send checks to United Way of West Tennessee, 470 N. Parkway, Jackson, TN 38305.

>>Related: Severe weather impacts 5 states in South, Midwest: Here is what we know

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is taking donations in partnership with WLKY.

You can visit the Red Cross webpage to make a donation.

At the same time the Western Kentucky Red Cross has partnered with Facebook, which is paying all processing fees for donations, WLKY reported.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is taking donations. You can pledge your support at helpsalvationarmy.org and directly to the Salvation Army Western KY Disaster Relief Fundraiser through Facebook.

Team Rubicon USA

Team Rubicon USA, an organization that uses military veterans to deploy emergency response teams across the country and the world, is in Benton and Mayfield, Kentucky, to help clear roads, remove fallen trees and other debris. The organization is looking for volunteers to also help with expedited home repairs and residential debris removal.

Visit the organization’s volunteer page to lend a hand, or its donation page to send money.

World Central Kitchen

Chef José Andrés has traveled to Kentucky to help those who survived the storm. He and his team are providing hot meals to those who need them. Andres and his World Central Kitchen have answered dozens of calls across the world when disaster strikes, feeding those who are not only working the front lines, but those whose homes and properties have been wiped out. He also has gone to COVID-19 hotspots to feed medical workers.

To donate, visit World Central Kitchen. You can also volunteer through the group.

Rex Chapman Foundation

The former University of Kentucky basketball player is raising money through the Rex Chapman Foundation, which has partnered with the Blue Grass Community Foundation.

GoFund Me fundraisers

Various counties, individual cities, businesses and organizations have set up fundraisers through GoFundMe, including Clarksville, Indiana, food truck owners in Louisville and Muslim Americans for Compassion with Muslim Communities of Kentucky.

>>Related: Illinois tornado: Officials name 6 victims killed at Amazon facility

Kentucky Strong Shirts

Shop Local Kentucky is selling Kentucky Strong shirts to raise money for victims of the tornados. For more information and to place an order, visit the group’s website.

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Kentucky tornadoes A resident surveys the damage from a tornado that hit downtown Mayfield, Kentucky, on Friday night. (Mark Humphrey/Associated Press )

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