Tennessee tornadoes: Bill’s Donuts collecting gift cards, cash for victims

Word spread fast about how Bill's Donuts is helping Tennessee tornado victims.

After WHIO reported Wednesday the Centerville donut shop would start accepting gift cards, co-owner Lisa Tucker told WHIO's James Brown on Thursday night that people have donated more than 50 cards along with cash.

RELATED: The latest on the Tennessee tornadoes

Tucker's parents and grandparents grew up in Cooksville, about 90 minutes east of Nashville. A tornado hammered the town of about 30,000 late Monday night.

Tucker has asked people to donate debit cards and Kroger gift cards.

"In Cooksville, they have the same stores we have here in Dayton,” she said.

Tucker told WHIO a radio station in Cooksville and a TV station in Nashville heard about peoples' kindness here in the Miami Valley. Both interviewed her by phone.

At some point next week, Tucker said she will drive to Tennessee and hand deliver the gift cards.

For years, Bill's Donuts has accepted donations from Miami Valley residents. Then Tucker and volunteers have loaded several semi loads of goods to take to various natural disaster areas.