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That Cookeville area, about 75 miles east of Nashville, suffered some of the worst destruction and the most deaths during Monday’s tornado outbreak in central Tennessee. At least 18 of the estimated 25 victims killed by the storms were from the Cookeville-Putnam County area.
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In several previous high-profile natural disasters, customers of Bill’s have dropped off drinking water and other supplies at the doughnut shop, and Tucker and Elam have made arrangements with the help of local businesses and police to deliver the supplies to the hard-hit area.
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But this time, Tucker said, the shop will collect monetary donations and gift cards for storm victims, and will coordinate with the Centerville Police Department and the Cookeville, Tennessee police department and other agencies in the storm-ravaged region to put those donations and gift cards into the hands of the people who need them most.
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Tucker said she had seen reports of other agencies collecting supplies, and believes collecting monetary donations and gift cards will help Tennessee residents who have lodging and other needs.
Bill’s Donut Shop, located at 268 N. Main St. (State Route 48) in Centerville, will celebrate its 60th anniversary later this year.
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