food drop for graves co.

Hi, very informal post here,
I'm going to help my folks and friends in western KY this weekend, and am writing to inform everyone that I'm asking for food to bring to the Salvation Army in Graves Co. They are out of rations and hurting. I will be picking up food (canned or fresh, whatever) through Saturday at El Mundo, and through Sunday at North End Cafe. There are no incentives, no freebies for helping, just people that need food. Thank you, whoever you may be.
Nora

I'm reposting to keep this at the top of the thread. I don't really care about Kroger varietals.

[Robin Garr]

Nora, I've made it a "sticky" for now so you don't have to keep bouncing it up. This is a very generous gesture, and I hope a lot of folks will contribute food.

Do you know of specific things they might need most? I'm from Graves Co., and I'd love to be able to help a bit. Some of my family is still without power there, but are more fortunate than many, as they have never suffered the hunger that I know so many have dealt with.

I will ask our Command in the morning if I can put up flyers and a box for collections. We have about 300 people working at my company and I'm sure that I can get at least a few donations. I know from past donation collections that there are a few other resources to tap for something like this. If you type up a letter that has a letterhead (perhaps getting your business to agree to sponsor a somewhat informal donation drive?) any Kroger will give you a $10 gift card with basically no questions ask if you come to them letter in hand. Or maybe someone else on here would care to step up and sponsor something to that end... Also, WalMart essentially does the same with $25 cards. Are there any other needs? I know that the water situation has been dire for many areas so I wasn't sure if things like distilled or bottled water would be a help. How is the power situation there? I've been told by people who are from those areas that the word is a couple of weeks before they can get back online. If blankets would also help I could also indicate that donations of those would be appreciated. I'm glad you are doing this, my heart goes out to those in this situation and I've been wanting to do something to help.

Maybe some of you food reps out there could get the word out to their suppliers too. I'm betting businesses like Sysco and GFS would be happy to help.

I would LOVE to help if possible. But it would be really helpful to me to have some suggestions of items to donate?!?! Water? Bread and Peanut butter? canned tuna? I am trying to think of things that keep relatively well and don't have to be cooked!

I would LOVE to help if possible. But it would be really helpful to me to have some suggestions of items to donate?!?! Water? Bread and Peanut butter? canned tuna? I am trying to think of things that keep relatively well and don't have to be cooked!

Just make sure it's non-salmonella peanut butter.

I can't believe the FEMA emergency food kits distributed throughout Kentucky after the storm actually had contaminated PB. Terrible.

I'm actually from Graves County as well, and from a past food drive at U of L med school, my roommates and I have a large box of non-perishables that we were going to donate somewhere. I'll be sure to bring everything by.

Thanks for the inspirational response. I've been in contact w/ the Paducah Salvation Army, and have been informed that they are most in need of water, canned food and blankets. Skip the perishables. I really appreciated the response on what and who to ask. When I say unorganized drop, I meant it literally! So thanks for the advice to point me in the right directions. The center was pleased that we were making any sort of effort.
I'm from Lowes, and many are still w/out power. They are under a boil water order, but most have no heat to do so! Mom and Dad have been feeding everyone that finds them, because they have a generator large enough to run the well. I'm making my first trip Monday morning, so anything you want to drop at North End or El Mundo will be picked up this weekend. Not much notice, I know. I feel the need to put word out though.
Thanks for your help!

I'm glad to say that many people stepped up and dropped off so many goods. My trunk overfloweth! Thank you, and you should be very proud of yourselves. Even though the days will be warm for a bit, these people won't have power until March, and we know that it will get cold again before that. I want to say that it was hard to talk to the folks that donated, because I was working a busy house at North End, but please know that it will get to the needy. And one couple had an entire box collected from what I assume were coworkers, due to the sheer volume and separate bags of stuff. You are fantastic people.
Now, my trunk is full, my heart is full, and I thank you.
Nora

And one couple had an entire box collected from what I assume were coworkers, due to the sheer volume and separate bags of stuff.

Actually, those were my two roommates bringing by the stuff we collected from our med school food drive. Glad it helped!