Several local churches and businesses are reaching out to help the victims of tornadoes in Albany, Adel and other areas in Georgia affected by the line of destructive storms that tore through the southeast over the weekend.
Rev. Donald Chavers Jr., pastor of Agape Worship Center at 810 W. Grady St. Extension, said Wednesday that he was contacted by a pastor in the Albany area who said residents there needed immediate help.
"I took it upon myself to ask people, and Statesboro has really come through" with donations, Chavers said.
A truck, which belongs to a church member who works in Hinesville, will leave from Statesboro on Saturday to deliver the collected items to the victims, he said.
"They need survival items - pillows, blankets, bottled water, nonperishable food like canned goods they can just open and eat," he said. "Toiletries and clothing would be good, too.
"Any emergency-type things, anything you would need" after losing everything is welcome, Chavers said.
Statesboro Mayor Jan Moore said she asked City Manager Randy Wetmore to send out a mass email to all employees and contacts to help spread word of the effort.
"We will be collecting at City Hall until 10 a.m. on Friday morning, then will deliver all to the church for transport to our West Georgia neighbors," Moore said.
In addition to the Agape drive, Nevils United Methodist Church is collecting staples including bottled water and nonperishable food, along with simple necessities such as socks, underwear, diapers, wipes and baby formula, said Bulloch County Public Safety Director Ted Wynn. Cash donations made out to Nevils UMC with "Tornado Relief" written in the memo section are also welcome.
Besides Agape Worship Center, City Hall and Nevils UMC, donations may be dropped off at Anderson's General Store; Bulloch County 911; Swim, Bike, Run; and Farm Bureau, he said.
The Bulloch County Sheriff's Office is also collecting supplies through Feb. 3, according to a post on the department's Facebook page, which also suggests donations of cleaning supplies for those trying to recover from property damage. Donations may be dropped off at the Bulloch County Jail.
Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.