Pasco nonprofit branches out to offer hope to Kentucky flood victims

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The nonprofit Marjorie’s Hope is gathering provides for victims of historic flooding that hit Kentucky in July.

“These individuals are dwelling in tents in a park, in order that they misplaced every little thing,” mentioned Marjorie’s Hope Founder and CEO Debi Shackowsky. “I simply like it that individuals have answered the decision, the request. Each considered one of these baggage represents any person it may assist.”

Containers and baggage of provides sit in a room at R.J. Kielty Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, one of many drop-off websites, ready to be picked up.

Shackowsky mentioned a buddy works on the well being division in Perry County, Ky., and that is the place objects might be despatched. She mentioned the objects most in want in the meanwhile are Walmart reward playing cards, however they’re additionally gathering faculty provides, backpacks, lunch containers, diapers, wipes, child system, canine and cat meals, moveable washing machines, laundry cleaning soap, two-person or bigger tents, grills, cots, air mattresses, sleeping baggage, blankets, flashlights, batteries of all sizes, followers, and dehumidifiers.

Shackowsky mentioned Marjorie’s Hope was based in 2014 and formally turned a nonprofit in 2016. It began out donating backpacks and faculty provides to college students in want in honor of Shackowsky’s sister, Marjorie, who was killed by a drunk driver 26 years in the past on the age of 33.

“My sister was at all times serving to children in want — a variety of children that almost all others would not give a re-assessment on the road,” Shackowsky mentioned. 

What began out as a donation of 35 backpacks has grown right into a program that Shackowsky mentioned noticed 4,000 backpacks donated this yr. She mentioned there at the moment are a number of applications operated underneath Marjorie’s Hope, together with one which connects lecturers with classroom provides and Youngsters Closet, which supplies clothes to children in want.

“She’s a hustler, what I imply? She makes stuff occur. That is what we love about her,” mentioned Tanner Kielty, vp of R.J. Kielty Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, which has labored with Marjorie’s Hope on previous initiatives.

Donations are being accepted till Friday, September 16. Objects may be dropped off on the following areas:

Fostering Change
10205 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34663

Pleasant Kia
5819 US-19
New Port Richey, FL 34652

State Farm Trinity
1817 Cypress Brook Dr.
Suite 103
Trinity, FL 34655

Station Home BBQ

16319 N. Florida Ave.

Lutz, FL 33549

Maus Nissan
3939 US-19
New Port Richey, FL 34652

Suncoast Roofing and Photo voltaic
9507 State Rd. 52
Hudson, FL 34669

R.J. Kielty Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc.
7979 Massachusetts Ave.
New Port Richey, FL 34653

Farrell Roofing
6835 Commerce Ave.
Port Richey, FL 34668