BEATRICE - Recently, a number of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms struck the midwest. No area was harder hit than Kentucky, and a southeast Nebraska business is looking to help. 

Ashley Homestore in Beatrice is accepting donations to their orange truck out front to take to victims of the natural disaster. Store manager Jenny Swarthout explains.

"Stan Meyer, our owner, felt the need to do something for a community as a business owner here in town," Swarthout said. "We have big trucks. So we thought the best thing we could do would be to pack one of them full of donations and take it to Kentucky."

The truck is situated at the front of the parking lot near the sign for Indian Creek Mall, but the store will also pick up donations within driving distance. Any essentials are accepted and appreciated.

"The things they're looking most for are bottled water, diapers, baby formula, wipes, paper towels, toilet paper," Swarthout said. "But whatever you can donate will help."

The store hopes to have the truck depart for Kentucky weekend. Donations are accepted during business hours, from 10-7 PM.