Grocery box giveaway helps needy families in Dawson Springs after December 2021 tornado | News

DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. — Two years have passed since the December 10, 2021 tornado, but communities across Kentucky are still recovering. Dawson Springs is among them.

Approximately 75% Their town was destroyed by a tornado, killing 13 people.

On Saturday, organizations and community members came together to host a food box giveaway to provide essential items to those in need.

These organizations include Kentucky Dream Center, Mercy Chefs, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Kentucky Pork Producers Association, National Pork Board, Dawson Springs Family Resource Youth Service Center, Fuller Center Disaster Reconstruction Organization, and Dawson Springs Rotary Club. Masu.

Each of the 500 food boxes contained enough food to make 20 meals. Those who came here received bags containing toiletries, kitchen essentials, and fruits and vegetables.

Mercy Chefs employee Luke Borchelt helped distribute food after the 2021 tornado and returned to Dawson Springs to help again.

“It was amazing. I was actually here two years ago. I spent a month here doing disaster response after the tornado. So to see the new construction and resiliency of this community. It was actually kind of overwhelming and beautiful,” Borchelt said.

Emma Hope, program management director for the Kentucky Pork Producers Association, said the giveaway was impactful.

“Honestly, this is a very emotional event. To see people come together like this. Christmas and the holidays are the season of giving, and I can’t think of a better example than that here today. I didn’t,” Hope said.

Meredith Hyde lost her home in the tornado. She participated in the giveaway as a volunteer, and she said she knows how much the grocery bags can help.

“I just want to say, until you actually get there and decide what to get your child for Christmas or what to have for dinner, you know it’s a hard choice,” Hyde said. Told.

Katie Moyer, director of operations for the Fuller Center Disaster Recovery Assistance Center, helped plan the event. She said some survivors still needed help.

“Two years later, here we are. The community is still getting back on its feet, but inflation is what it is, and food is what it is. All of these things are compounding and making things more and more difficult. “Some people were able to get back on their feet after the tornado, but some still need a little help,” Moyer said.

Hyde had said before that the town was in trouble, and now that’s even more true.

“We also have to remember that Mr. Dawson was struggling before the tornado. That’s why people need things. They needed things before the tornado, and they need them now. ” said Hyde.

donate to Dawson Springs Rotary Club To lend a hand to the people of Dawson Springs.

The organization plans to hold another grocery giveaway in 2024 and 2025.