Not even a full day after tornadoes ripped through Southern Indiana volunteers at Indy's Midwest Food Bank stepped into action.
"We've been to Missouri and we've been to Alabama and a lot of other disaster relief sites, but this is teh first time we get to help our fellow Hoosiers and this has really hit our hearts hard," said volunteer Pat Thompson.
Hoosiers with trucking experience came in on their day off to haul food and supplies headed for survivors in some of the hardest hit areas. Some people showed up early Saturday to drop off much needed supplies like water, milk and can foods.
Everyone's reason for helping the same.
“Compassion, compassion for the victims, families,” said one volunteer.
Heartland Growers sent three tractor trailers full of supplies to New Albany, where the Salvation Army will give them to Hoosiers still trying to wrap their minds around the devastation.
By the end of the day Sunday, the food bank expected to send 70,000 tons of food and supplies, including personal care kits with toiletries.
Rounding out the cavalry, a parade of Ford Mustangs, members of a local collectors chapter showed up to do their part.
“You know it's an all-American car and helping out people is an all-American thing to do,” said one member.
The work at Midwest Food Bank will continue for days to come. Folks there say they'll rest when their fellow Hoosiers are okay again.
“We're going to sleep sometime. When everyone's taken care of that's when we'll sleep,” said John Whitaker, Director of Operations at Midwest Food Bank.
He also said donations are critical to replenish the supplies going to Southern Indiana because the food bank serves about 60,000 hungry families each week.
