HATTIESBURG, Miss. ( WHLT ) – People in the Pine Belt area are helping provide food, supplies and shelter to those impacted by Hurricane Milton.

Even before the storm, Kings Arrow Ranch began assisting by providing shelter to evacuees and their animals.

“The hardest thing is moving your animals. You don’t want to leave because you feel like you can’t find a place to put them. We run a nonprofit rescue here, so we have plenty of spaces for horses and livestock, and we wanted to use that to allow people to come in,” said Brian Schaultman, co-owner of the ranch.

The site will remain open to those who need long-term shelter.

“We have 153 acres here. We have cabins. They’re very rustic. It’s kind of camping out here, but we felt like it’s better than staying where they were,” said Schaultman. “And if people wanted to come here, and we have the opportunity, why not try to help folks where we can?”

The Hattiesburg VFW is partnering with Pine Belt organizations, churches, businesses, and residents to gather donations for hurricane victims in St. Petersburg, Florida.

“A small church in Louin, Mississippi, and thanks Calvary Baptist Church, the pastor came down and gave us $500, and it just started rolling. And then, we had people start asking about, ‘Did we have a Venmo account?’ And we had to start one of those. But right here in the Pine Belt area, and this is now a Pine Belt area effort. We’ve got churches on board. We’ve got businesses on board. Chesterfield’s is gave a tremendous amount of money that they’re going to take and go buy food,” said Rickey Hosey, a member of the VFW Post 3036.

The VFW will hold a donation drive on Saturday, October 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Non-perishable food, hand-held can openers, baby diapers, formula, cleaning supplies, pet supplies, and hygiene products will be accepted.

The Marine Corps League will also accept donations behind the Lowes on Weathersby Road from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11.

The donations will be delivered to Florida on Monday, October 14.

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