Murfreesboro Tornado Aftermath: How Can We Help?

Last Friday, the lives of many of our friends & neighbors in Murfreesboro were changed as an EF-4 tornado ripped through several neighborhoods, damaging somewhere around 800 buildings and completely demolishing almost 100 homes (WTVF, WKRN, WSMV). Additionally, the tornado claimed the life of young mother Kori Bryant and her 9-week-old daughter Olivia, and left father & husband John Bryant in the hospital fighting for his life. So how can we help?

We’re collecting a list of resources available for both those displaced by the storms, as well as those who wish to help out. Please drop us a comment or email to [email protected] if you have an opportunity to add.

BRYANT FAMILY MEMORIAL FUND: Help out a family in need.
Donate online or at any local Bank of America to contribute to the Bryant Family Memorial Fund, established to help John Bryant with medical expenses and the costs of memorial services for his late wife and daughter.

PINNACLE NATIONAL BANK FIRSTBANK: Special fund for tornado victims.
United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties has set up a long term recovery fund to aid in the process of rebuilding our community. You may stop by any FirstBank branch in the state of Tennessee to drop off your donation or you can donate online. 100% of the donations will stay local to aid in tornado relief in Murfreesboro.

TENNESSEE RED CROSS: Donate online to the disaster relief fund.
The Red Cross is only accepting monetary donations (here).

ALL AREA KROGER STORES: Another way to donate.
If you’re not into the online donation thing, Kroger has partnered with the Red Cross to allow folks to easily donate money at the register. And despite conflicting reports, they are not accepting any in-kind donations.

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE: Tennessee Emergency Response Fund
These guys have set up a way to donate online here, distributing the funds to other organizations and charities that are meeting general disaster-related needs as they come up .

TNDP TORNADO RELIEF DAY: Saturday, April 18
Join the TNDP as they organize a group relief effort, scheduled for this Saturday, April 18. More details as to time & location are forthcoming. Via Post Politics.

WAY-FM & BLACKMAN UMC: Gift cards for tornado victims
This week, drop off gift cards for tornado victims at the WAY-FM studio in Franklin, Blackman United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro, or at the WAY-FM booth at Lipscomb Allen Arena this coming Saturday evening. Thanks to Twitter friend @AmyPredsFan for the tip!

STOR-PLACE SELF STORAGE: 1 month free storage to tornado victims
Stor-Place self storage offers 1 month free storage to tornado victims. Call 615-867-1117 to find out more. Thanks to Twitter friend @thomasruns for the tip!

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK: Food donations and volunteer help.
Second Harvest is preparing hundreds of lunches and dinners each day for shelters being operated by the Nashville Red Cross chapter in Gallatin and Lafayette. It needs financial donations to support that, as well as food contributions. Contact Second Harvest at 329-3491.

Tennessee 2-1-1: Find opportunities through United Way.
Operated by the folks at United Way, this is where you’ll find the most up-to-date resources for both tornado victims and those who want to help out. They’re keeping an updated spreadsheet of opportunities for giving and receiving help on their website.

Photo by Megan Morris.