By SAMANTHA SARACINO
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - East Tennessee organizations are pitching in to help Gulf Coast residents enduring Tropical Storm Isaac.
A Sevierville non-profit called The Lord's Child has set up a supply collection drive at Walmart in Turkey Creek, 10900 Parkside Drive.
"We're calling it hurricane preparedness. Even if we take too much, we can still restock the food pantries in that area," said Lord's Child founder Gene Wolfenbarger.
They're collecting items to take to the gulf area by the truckload. "People can bring food. People can bring water. They can bring anything down to Vienna sausage." Wolfenbarger said.
Volunteers are set up at local Walmarts handing shoppers lists of needed items they can donate.
Other local organizations like the Salvation Army are also preparing. "We have been alerted by our divisional staff to just be ready to go support our counterparts that are already in the Gulf Coast serving those affected by the storm," said Community Relations Director Rob Link.
The Salvation Army is on stand-by and has its emergency vehicles ready to go. "We typically keep our vehicles and supplies at a ready status because you never know if a local disaster will happen, like a flood or fire," Link said. "We are always at a ready level."
Remote Area Medical is also waiting to see what happens with Isaac so it can provide support if needed.
You can donate to the Lord's Child supply drive at Walmart in Turkey Creek; near Knoxville Center Mall at 3051 Kinzel Way; or in Sevierville on Wednesday night, Thursday night or Friday night from 5:00-9:00.
The Lord's Child will take all the donations to New Orleans this weekend.
Most organizations, like the Salvation Army and the Red Cross, are not taking supply donations at this time. They encourage people to make financial donations if they want to help.
You can donate on the Salvation Army website and on the Red Cross website.
"We're calling it hurricane preparedness. Even if we take too much, we can still restock the food pantries in that area," said Lord's Child founder Gene Wolfenbarger.
