Gallery donates to Kentucky relief efforts

HOUSTON — In times of need, Gallery Furniture has routinely stepped up to help when it can, be it by opening the store for storm refugees or sending relief supplies to stricken areas.

This time, the Top 100 retailer is reaching out to help those devastated by the spate of tornadoes in Kentucky. So far, the Houston-based retailer has sent two 26-foot tractor-trailers full of supplies, and it’s currently working on filling a 52-footer.

“We’re going to keep doing it for the next eight to 10 days,” Jim McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture, told Furniture Today, noting that he expects to send a truck filled with supplies to Kentucky every couple of days.

McIngvale said he’s got family in Kentucky who were out of the storm’s path, so the Bluegrass State holds a dear place in his heart. Plus, he said the way the rest of the country helped Houston after Hurricane Harvey in 2017 will be something that sticks with him.

“They’re in Lexington, so they weren’t affected, but Kentucky is special to me,” he said. “People all across the U.S. helped us out during Hurricane Harvey, so we’re doing what we can.”

Gallery is collecting items ranging from gift cards to clothes, toiletries, non-perishable food, pet kennels and food, bottled water, blankets and comforters, cleaning supplies and more. McIngvale noted that it is also looking for larger and less obvious items, like generators, space heaters, tarps, flashlights and cell phone chargers.

And as the donations keep coming, McIngvale said he’s moved by the generosity of those in Houston who are doing what they can to lend a hand.

“It’s a big effort, but people are rallying around the cause. The response has been slightly more than overwhelming, in a good way,” McIngvale said.

Gallery Furniture on Twitter: “Mattress Mack & GF will be collecting & delivering relief items to victims of the devastating tornados in Kentucky. Visit https://t.co/mSXMrYMcjx for details, & to find out where you can donate to Mack’s Kentucky Relief Fund. Thank you, God bless you & God bless those affected. https://t.co/7xRtLq0951” / Twitter

Thomas Lester is Retail Editor for Furniture Today and Digital/Managing Editor for Home Accents Today. A graduate of Emory & Henry College’s Mass Communications program, Lester spent a dozen years working for newspapers in Virginia and North Carolina covering an array of subjects, ranging from community news, government, education, ACC sports, professional baseball and more before joining Furniture Today in 2013. Reach out to me with your story ideas, tips and more at [email protected].