A variety of resources have become available for members of the Bowling Green and WKU communities who were impacted by the Dec. 11 storms and tornadoes. 

Much of the information about these resources has been spread through social media, primarily on the accounts of local volunteer and relief services such as Rise and Shine Bowling Green and the Bowling Green Micropantry.

Below is a list of various resources that are offering shelter, food and power for those in need:

Shelter

The storm destroyed and damaged a multitude of houses and businesses in Bowling Green, leaving many people without a place to live.

South Warren Middle School, located on 295 Rich Pond Road, and South Warren High School, located on 8140 Nashville Road, are both offering shelter. Shelter is also being offered by the Red Cross at Jennings Creek Elementary, located on 2617 Russellville Road.

Holiday Inn Express, located on 165 Three Springs Road, is offering shelter as well as power, food and internet for those that need it. According to a post made on Instagram by Rise and Shine BG, temporary shelters are beginning to move families to other hotels throughout Bowling Green.

Plum Springs Baptist Church at 2080 Plum Springs Road, the SOKY Fairgrounds at 1515 Glen Lily Road and the Jaycee Pavilion in Lampkin Park are also all providing shelter for those affected.

Food

The BG Micropantry has locations at the Higgins Center for Nonprofits, 958 Collett Ave., the Corner of West 12th and Clay St. and Natcher Elementary School, 1434 Cave Mill Road. 

South Warren High School also has food available. Rise and Shine BG on Instagram has been posting local restaurants that are providing food, most recently including Gasper Brewing.

All Bowling Green Independent School District elementary schools and Bowling Green High School are offering food from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Warren County Public School buses will be traveling in the most affected areas to deliver food Monday through Friday.

The WKU Food Pantry, located at 503 Regents Ave., is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day for food pickup and donations can be left at the pantry anytime.

Places to Volunteer

There are still many areas that need cleanup and aid from volunteers. Streets that are affected are Rockwood in Briarwood, Creason Street, Cedar Ridge Road, Whispering Hills, Nutwood, Magnolia, Covington, 10th, 11th, Woodland Drive, Cabell Drive and Cardinal Way.

If you volunteer for cleanup at these places it is requested that you come prepared. Work boots, hats and gloves are recommended as well as tools and a chainsaw if you are able. Those that are physically unable to help are asked to consider bringing workers supplies, food or drink.

Other places to volunteer are the Volunteer Hub, open at 2445 Nashville Road, the Red Cross at South Warren and the Medical Center Warehouse, located at 350 High Rail Road. Volunteers are also being taken at the Warren County Public Library, but you must call and sign up first, and volunteers can also contact @riseandshinebgky on Instagram to help distribute donations.

Monetary help is also needed. There are various local GoFundMe donation sites set up for families and businesses in the community, and the links to those can be found on social media. Personal Venmo and Cashapp accounts from those in need are also circulating online.

Other Resources

The Jody Richards Hall computer lab at WKU, 1660 Normal St., is offering free internet access from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to those in need.

To find Red Cross shelters near you, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency requests that civilians do not haul the debris from the storm off of their properties. They should place all debris at the curb so that they can be properly weighed and accounted for as this is an important step for aid and reimbursement.

News reporter Alexandria Anderson can be reached at [email protected].