PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The nonprofit Marjorie's Hope is collecting supplies for victims of historic flooding that hit Kentucky in July.

"These people are living in tents in a park, so they lost everything," said Marjorie's Hope Founder and CEO Debi Shackowsky. "I just love it that people have answered the call, the request. Every one of these bags represents somebody it's going to help."

Boxes and bags of supplies sit in a room at R.J. Kielty Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, one of the drop-off sites, waiting to be picked up.

Shackowsky said a friend works at the health department in Perry County, Ky., and that's where items will be sent. She said the items most in need at the moment are Walmart gift cards, but they're also collecting school supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, diapers, wipes, baby formula, dog and cat food, portable washing machines, laundry soap, two-person or larger tents, grills, cots, air mattresses, sleeping bags, blankets, flashlights, batteries of all sizes, fans and dehumidifiers.

Shackowsky said Marjorie's Hope was founded in 2014 and officially became a nonprofit in 2016. It started out donating backpacks and school supplies to students in need in honor of Shackowsky's sister, Marjorie, who was killed by a drunk driver 26 years ago at the age of 33.

"My sister was always helping kids in need — a lot of kids that most others wouldn't give a second look on the street," Shackowsky said. 

What started out as a donation of 35 backpacks has grown into a program that Shackowsky said saw 4,000 backpacks donated this year. She said there are now several programs operated under Marjorie's Hope, including one that connects teachers with classroom supplies and Kids Closet, which provides clothing to kids in need.

"She's a hustler, you know what I mean? She makes stuff happen. This is what we love about her," said Tanner Kielty, vice president of R.J. Kielty Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, which has worked with Marjorie's Hope on past projects.

Donations are being accepted until Friday, September 16. Items can be dropped off at the following locations:

Fostering Change
10205 Land O' Lakes Blvd.
Land O' Lakes, FL 34663

Friendly Kia
5819 US-19
New Port Richey, FL 34652

State Farm Trinity
1817 Cypress Brook Dr.
Suite 103
Trinity, FL 34655

Station House BBQ

16319 N. Florida Ave.

Lutz, FL 33549

Maus Nissan
3939 US-19
New Port Richey, FL 34652

Suncoast Roofing and Solar
9507 State Rd. 52
Hudson, FL 34669

R.J. Kielty Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc.
7979 Massachusetts Ave.
New Port Richey, FL 34653

Farrell Roofing
6835 Commerce Ave.
Port Richey, FL 34668