JESSAMINE COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — The Jessamine County School District is encouraging its community to help those affected by flooding in southeastern Kentucky.
A "Cram the Bus" collection is being held for donations that will go to families who may have lost everything.
Several communities were affected by flooding due to heavy rainfall earlier this month. Families had to evacuate homes, schools were closed, and some counties declared states of emergency so they could receive state and federal funding for cleanup. This includes Harlan, Bell, Clay, and Knox counties, to name a few.
Jessamine County Schools is asking people to help "cram" a bus with donations of non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, paper products, like paper towels and plates, and toiletry items.
Once collected, the items will be taken to Harlan County.
"We are sending it through an organization called With Love from Harlan,” said Shonda McClure, head of training at the district’s transportation department. “They are with Harlan and also the surrounding counties. They just try to get it wherever the need is."
The idea for a collection came from a bus driver with the district.
"I think it's nice to be able to support the other counties throughout Kentucky,” said Superintendent Matt Moore. “Obviously, they were impacted much more negatively by the floods and I think it's an opportunity for us to be role models for our students and show them that that's the right thing to do."
Donations can be dropped off at any Jessamine County school or at the Bradley Building on the district's transportation campus at 501 East Maple Street in Nicholasville until Friday, March 6.
