Childhood Best Friend Lost Everything in a Flood

Hi, I'm Jake (you can find me at jacobpayne.com & @cattleprod on Twitter) - many of you may know me from my years blogging and working as an investigative journalist covering Kentucky government and politics for Page One and The 'Ville Voice. Or you may know me as a lifelong Appalachian activist.

Last night (July 27, 2022), huge swaths of Appalachian Eastern Kentucky were devastated by flash flooding that has destroyed homes and businesses. So I'm trying to help my childhood best pal, Nick, recover as best I can. He's lost both his home and lawn care business in the blink of an eye. He paid off his truck 3 days ago, so he has less money than me - which is saying a lot at the moment.

His community still has no shelter, so he's made his way to the Louisville area with his dog. I've gotten him set up with temporary housing, bedding and limited clothing but still need to come up with more. Probably about $400 worth of stuff to get him properly set up.

When I fled domestic violence, I had nowhere to turn but Nick was my saving grace. I don't have a ton of means at the moment but am helping with temporary housing. Nick was my lifeline throughout the ordeal and I want to help him get back on his feet. There will be limited resources available to him in the coming days/weeks but there are immediate needs: Food, socks, underwear, dog food, dog bed, cell phone service (he lost his, so I'm giving him my spare phone and will help port his number to Cricket), gas, toilet paper, Rx refills when then emergency fills run out, just the basics. I'm going to Target with him later but am also hoping to give him about $50-$60 in Amazon gift cards so he can get what he wants/needs.

If you have the means? Please chip in. If you don't? Please consider signal boosting for me. If I can help him come up w/the essentials, he'll be set for a few months while finding work.