update: M25M sending help: 

From Matthew 25: Ministries – Michelle Jones-Director of Communications 

CINCINNATI, OH (February 20, 2025) – UPDATED FROM ORIGINAL STORY PUBLISHED 2/19/2025) Matthew 25: Ministries, based in Blue Ash, OH, announced TODAY- Thursday, February 20, 2025, the following message:  Matthew 25: Ministries is deploying their Disaster Response Teams along with select vehicles from their disaster response fleet, stocked with essential relief supplies, to severely impacted areas in Kentucky. Team members will be on the ground distributing critical rapid response items such as hydration drinks, personal care items, cleaning supplies, baby essentials, and more to support affected families. Additionally, Matthew 25 is continuing to send truckloads of aid throughout the disaster area to help meet immediate and ongoing needs. Matthew 25 will remain in close contact with partners in the region to assess needs and provide ongoing support.

The humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization released the following statement via press release Monday, February 17th. Here is the text:

Matthew 25: Ministries, a humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization based in Blue Ash, OH, is responding to the catastrophic flooding that devastated Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, and surrounding states over the weekend. A severe storm system began impacting the southeast United States on Saturday, bringing torrential rainfall that led to historic flooding. 

Between 3-6 inches of rain fell, causing rivers and streams to overflow, submerging entire communities. At least nine people have lost their lives and rescue operations remain ongoing. In addition to severe flooding, the storm has caused widespread disruptions, leaving tens of thousands homes without electricity, roads impassable due to high water levels, and has caused extensive property damage.

Matthew 25: Ministries is working closely with partners in the disaster region to deliver critical aid to those affected. The organization is actively coordinating efforts to distribute essential supplies, including water, personal care items, cleaning products, baby essentials, and more, to support families as they begin the challenging journey toward recovery. These resources are being rapidly deployed to areas most affected by the disaster. Matthew 25’s disaster relief resource map, detailing locations where people impacted by the flooding can access services and relief supplies, will be available at https://m25m.org/resourcemaps/.

“Our hearts are broken for the families and communities who have lost so much in this devastating flood. In times of crisis, we stand alongside those affected, working to provide immediate aid and relief. Our team is committed to helping these communities to recover and rebuild, offering supplies and hope and support in their greatest time of need.” – Tim Mettey, CEO of Matthew 25: Ministries.

Matthew 25 is requesting monetary support to assist with rapid and long-term relief and recovery as well as product donations to supplement existing supplies and for restocking during their response to this and future disasters.

Donate online or mail checks to Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242 (100% of donated funds designated for the Southeastern U.S. flooding will be used for the purpose intended).

A full list of the product categories being requested for relief and restocking is available here https://m25m.org/disaster/southeasternflooding25/. Donations can be dropped off at 11083 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242.

Matthew 25 responds to disasters domestically and internationally and provides both rapid response and long-term support. Matthew 25 recently responded to the California wildfires, Hurricanes Francine, Helene and Milton in 2024 as well as multiple severe weather, flooding and tornado events throughout the year. Matthew 25 is also continuing response for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, which is now in its third year of conflict. Matthew 25: Ministries shipped over 29 million pounds of supplies in 2024, including over 5 million pounds of disaster relief, and helped more than 35 million people.

For the most current information on Matthew 25: Ministries’ activities, please visit their website  https://m25m.org/disaster/southeasternflooding25/ or follow Matthew 25 on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/m25m.org, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/m25m_org/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/M25M_org.

ABOUT MATTHEW 25: MINISTRIES: Matthew 25: Ministries rescues and reuses approximately 25,000,000 pounds of products each year and redistributes them to the poorest of the poor and disaster victims. Each year, Matthew 25: Ministries impacts the lives of more than 30,000,000 individuals throughout the United States and around the world. Matthew 25 is included on Forbes’ 2024 list of America’s Top 100 Charities, is a 4-star nonprofit on Charity Navigator and has earned a Platinum-Level Candid Exchange seal. Matthew 25: Ministries is accredited by the Better Business Bureau through the “Wise Giving Alliance Standards.” For more information, visit: https://m25m.org/.