Want to help Eastern Kentucky flood victims? Here’s where to donate

If there is any upside to two catastrophic flooding events in Eastern Kentucky in less than three years, it’s that many of the relief agencies know exactly what to do to help people.

The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky was a major source of help in 2022, through an application process in which they sent money directly to people, farms and businesses. That is up and running again on their Facebook page at facebook.com/appalachianky.

Executive director Kristin Collins said she doesn’t know much about awards amounts until she sees how much the organization receives in donations.

“I’m hoping we will receive a significant account, but I’m worried we won’t because of giving fatigue,” she said.

Kroger is offering another way to help: The grocery giant, which is also donating a semi-truck full of 22 pallets of water to the American Red Cross for distribution, will let customers round up to the nearest dollar to donate to the American Red Cross, with 100% of donations supporting Kentuckians. Customers at Kroger and Jay C Food Stores across Kentucky and Southern Indiana also can donate money or products at checkout stations.

Other groups are also up and reading to take flood relief donations:

▪ The Team Kentucky flood relief page is still up and running from 2022 at kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/stormrelief/

▪ Appalachian Crisis Aid Fund bit.ly/AppCrisisAid

▪ EKY Mutual Aid Venmo&PayPal: @EKYMutualAid Cash app: $EKYMutualAid

Shaping Our Appalachian Region or SOAR has set up a flood resource page at soar-ky.org/flood/

Pikeville Medical Center said people could donate to flood victims through its site at www.pikevillehospital.org/flood.

Catholic Charities of Lexington is assisting with disaster relief through collaboration with Kentucky Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). To help meet these urgent needs, they are accepting monetary donations online at catholiccharitieslexington.org or by mail at 1310 W. Main St., Lexington, KY 40508.

For more information, please contact: Dr. Shelli Gregory, Executive Director Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lexington, (859) 253-1993, ext. 1036 (office).

The University of Kentucky is also collecting donations and supplies. Items can be dropped off at the Gatton Student Center and Chandler Hospital beginning Tuesday, and at Rupp Arena before the men’s basketball game on Wednesday night. Information about donations and needed items is available at go.uky.edu/FloodRelief.

In addition, students of Kentucky Community and Technical College systems (KCTCS) may also be eligible for funding through KCTCS’ disaster assistance fund at kctcs.edu/disasterrelief.aspx. Donations to the fund will be earmarked for KCTCS students and their families to help with food, shelter and transportation. Big Sandy Community and Technical College, Hazard Community and Technical College and Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College are in the communities that have been hit the hardest.

The Christian Appalachian Project is asking for financial donations and volunteers to meet immediate and long-term needs to help families recovering from flooding. To volunteer, email volunteermanagement@chrisapp.org. If you wish to support CAP’s efforts to provide flood relief, please visit our website at christianapp.org/reliefnow and follow us on social media for updates about CAP’s response.

This story was originally published February 16, 2025 at 2:50 PM.