By Blake Haas

NORMAL – After a historic tornado tore through five states last Friday, leaving 74 dead, the Midwest Food Bank is preparing to send disaster relief to those in need.

The death toll continues to rise in states like Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee, where one tornado was tracked for over 200 miles.

The Midwest Food Bank is partnering with The Salvation Army to prepare to send semi loads of family food boxes to those in need.

“Our partners with the Salvation Army they are experts in determining those needs right in the local area and figuring out the distribution logistics that need to go with that. So we are on standby right them right now to send relief,” said Tara Ingham with the Midwest Food Bank.

That could include things like family food boxes, and it could include water and snacks for first responders. It might also include hygiene kits or cleanup kits in the future. So getting those supplies together and ready – we do have several loads in our racks ready to go as soon as we get the call, and we know exactly where to send them too.”

One of the tornadoes, classified as an EF-3, wreaked havoc on an Amazon facility in Edwardsville, Illinois, leaving six dead in its path.

According to Ingham, volunteers at the Midwest Food Bank prepared seven semi loads of family food boxes ready to send.

“The family food boxes those will be sent, and those include enough nonperishable food for a family of four to five for about four days. So they are going to get items that are easy to prepare or no preparation needed in addition to things like toilet paper and paper towels. So just enough to get by for a few days until they can find additional support and to have something in their hands immediately, so they do have some relief.”

Volunteer opportunities are not currently available but could be in the future. Check “Midwest Food Bank Bloomington-Normal” on Facebook to check volunteer availabilities.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].