East Texas groups hold donation drives to help Kerrville flood victims

TYLER, Texas (KETK) — Gotta Graze and multiple East Texas FFA chapters are currently holding donation drives throughout July to raise supplies for those affected by the Guadalupe River flood.

Gotta Graze, a charcuterie business in Tyler, is helping gather donations that will be delivered to the flood affected area. The Union Grove, Rusk and Hawkins FFA chapters are also assisting by hosting gift card drives that will help victims collect essentials.

Here are the details of each donation drive and what supplies each group is asking donators to drop off:

Gotta Graze – Drop offs

Donations can be dropped off at 123 East 8 Street in Tyler on Tuesday and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The donations will be delivered on July 31 and Gotta Graze is asking for the following items:

• Nonperishable food
• Bleach and cleaning supplies
• Hygiene items
• Diapers, wipes, formula and baby food
• Monetary donations
• Dog and cat food

Gotta Graze is also offering donation pickup, contact them through their Facebook page or website.

Union Grove FFA

The chapter’s gift card drive allows donators to give gift cards that are redeemable at various stores. Gift cards can be dropped off at the Union Grove Agriculture Building and both Seymour’s Gas Station locations at 271 and Farm to Market Road 726.

Union Grove FFA will collect the gift cards on July 17 and is asking people to clearly label how much money is on the cards. The most needed gift cards are listed below:

• Walmart
• Home Depot
• Lowe’s
• HEB
• Generics (Visa or Mastercard)

Those with questions regarding the gift card drive can contact Andrea Shafer at 512-818-0584.

Rusk FFA

The Rusk FFA chapter is asking for people to donate gift cards from the following businesses:

• Walmart
• HEB
• Lowe’s
• Home Depot
• Cash

Gift cards can be dropped off at the Rusk High School Agriculture Shop from July 7 through July 10 at 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Those with questions can contact kelleyforeman@ruskisd.net or 903-683-5401.

Hawkins FFA

The Hawkins FFA chapter is asking for gift cards from HEB, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart that will be directly delivered to agriculture teachers in the affected area during the Agriculture Teachers Conference held on July 21. Donators are asked to drop off the following gift cards at the Hawkins Agricultural Science Building during these dates and times:

• July 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• July 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• July 16 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Those with questions can contact any Hawkins agriculture teacher or FFA Officer.

Other East Texas FFA chapters and organizations are also collecting donations for flood victims. Visit this article to learn more about what these groups are doing to help their fellow Texans.