Pine Belt assists Rolling Fork after tornado

Following the recent deadly tornado in Rolling Fork, agencies in the Pine Belt are leading efforts to lend a helping hand.

The City of Hattiesburg is accepting donations of bottled water, canned goods, paper products, pet food, diapers, wipes, manual can openers, baby formula, personal hygiene items, pet carriers, laundry detergent, and cleaning supplies. Donations can be made at any Hattiesburg fire station and at the EOC, located at 4080 Highway 11.

The Forrest County Board of Supervisors is accepting donations of canned food, baby supplies, and pet supplies. "You can bring (your donations) to our county barns," David Hogan, president of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, said. Residents can also bring their donations to county fire departments or the emergency management office, Hogan said.

The Laurel School District is teaming up with the City of Laurel to collect personal hygiene items, paper towels, cleaning supplies, work gloves, heavy-duty garbage bags, five-gallon buckets, non-perishable food items, and pet food. You can donate at any school in the Laurel School District, including the Laurel Magnet School of the Arts, or the district's central office by Friday, April 14.

The Jones County Sheriff's Department is accepting donations of bottled water, sports drinks, non-perishable food items, plastic utensils, paper or plastic disposable plates and bowls, paper goods, manual can openers, flashlights, batteries, cleaning supplies, tarps, brooms, mops, plastic buckets, etc. No clothes donations at this time, the sheriff's department said. Financial contributions will be used to purchase relief supplies. Donations will be accepted on weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the sheriff's department at 419 Yates Avenue in Laurel.

Powers Fire & Rescue, also located in Jones County, is accepting donations of bottled water, sports drinks, soft drinks, non-perishable food items, manual can openers, flashlights, batteries, disposable utensils, paper goods, disposable paper plates, cleaning supplies, tarps, etc. are desperately needed. No clothes donations at this time due to logistical concerns on the receiving side, Powers Fire & Rescue officials said. Donations can be made at B&C Mobile Homes at 1513 Highway 84 East on weekdays from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.