Breathitt County group is helping pick up the pieces after devastating flooding

JACKSON, Ky. (FOX 56) —It’s been almost one month since flooding devastated much of eastern and southeastern Kentucky.

The rebuilding process thus far hasn’t been easy, and communities there need a lot of help.

Kentucky lost 24 lives in February’s flooding, and while none of them were from Breathitt County, people who live there are no strangers to the devastating effects severe weather events can have.

Fortunately, as they begin to rebuild again, they won’t have to do so alone.

It’s the definition of neighbors helping neighbors.

“That not-giving-up attitude, that’s what we’re about,” said Patsy Clair, founder and CEO of the Breathitt County Hunger Alliance (BCHA). “When we get done here, we’re going to go to the next house and then the next house, and we’re going to get it done.”

For the second time in three years, people in Breathitt County are picking up the pieces after devastating flooding.

This time, just like the last, they are not backing down from the challenge of rebuilding.

Clair and the folks at BCHA are among the many people working overtime to help their neighbors.

“They know they can turn to us,” Clair described. “Whether it is a flood or their house burns or just whatever they know that they can come to us.”

From food to clothes and other essentials, BCHA’s goal is to make sure everyone is taken care of, and when they can’t take care of everyone, Clair said it’s a tough pill to swallow.

“It breaks my heart; it really does,” Clair explained. “I’m actively looking for resources. We make the best of this; we make it work. We’re just blessed to have this place.”

Clair said she and the amazing volunteers who help out with the Hunger Alliance will always be there to lend a helping hand, and she encourages those who rely on BCHA to do the same.

“Please check with your neighbors, see if there’s anything that you can help them with, and check on your pets so that you have outside. God bless,” Clair said.

Clair said for her, helping others started when she was a child, being the youngest of 14 children and watching her parents do their best to provide for the family.

BCHA is open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You can learn more about the hunger alliance here.