The local Building Community Bridges organization has served hundreds of Jefferson City residents since the tornado that hit the city May 22, as the organization itself works to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
BCB's founder Doug Wright III estimated Monday that the organization has served 300-500 residents with free donations since the tornado. The numbers may be higher because only after the first week has paper documentation been kept.
Late last July, Wright - owner of Doug's Auto Detailing - and a team of supporters signed onto a five-year lease for the building at 213 E. Ashley St., to turn the space into a location to give back to the community by teaching the importance of positive growth.
At 213 E. Ashley St., people can access donations 10 a.m.-noon and 3-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Wednesdays are when people can specifically access personal hygiene items, Wright said.
Donations can be dropped off 10 a.m.-noon and 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays.
There's still plenty of demand; Wright said the average is 30-40 people a day.
He said the most needed items to be donated are diapers, personal hygiene items and cleaning supplies - things families will always need.
He said once people fill out a paper form, they send information on to partner agencies - including Central Missouri Community Action and the VFW, among others - who then can satisfy other needs, such as furniture that people may need.
He wants BCB to be involved with the United Way of Central Missouri's Unmet Needs Committee of local agencies.
Wright said BCB is here to stay and help the community.
He said the organization has applied for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, and once that's obtained by August, as he expects, then Building Community Bridges can apply for grant funding.
Wright said a majority of the organization's funding so far has come from its three leaders, as well as fundraising.
A fundraiser at BCB with the VFW is planned for July 5, when hotdog and hamburger meals will be served 3-8 p.m. for a $5 donation.
In terms of BCB's needs for itself, Wright said a lot of work has been completed on the building since August - including work on a salon, bathroom, gutters, customer service area, podcast studio, dance studio, and painting the floor and adding walls - but the furnaces need work, as does the electrical system.
He said the tornado and the help people have sought after it has brought BCB to the attention of more people locally.
He wants the East Ashley building site to be a prototype; "we plan on taking this across the United States."
Wright would also like for the organization's athletic program offerings to expand, and for that, they will need coaches, for sports such as softball, track, t-ball, flag football, kickball and girls basketball.