1 of 5

A monetary donation box at Bones Backstreet BBQ for residents affected by the March 15 tornado. (BONES BACKSTREET BBQ | CONTRIBUTED)

Liberty Hill Baptist Church provided hygiene bags and hot showers for victims throughout the week following the March 15 tornado. (LIBERTY HILL BAPTIST CHURCH | CONTRIBUTED)

Valle Grande Mexican Grill provided nearly 1,800 meals to families in Maplesville and surrounding communities that suffered tornado damage. (VALLE GRANDE MEXICAN GRILL | CONTRIBUTED)

The ladies of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Maplesville opened their fellowship hall and began serving food the morning after the tornado ripped through on March 15. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

A truck full of meals from Valle Grande Mexican Grill that was handed out throughout the day on March 16. (VALLE GRANDE MEXICAN GRILL | CONTRIBUTED)

By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

While the damage was the most eye-opening in the aftermath of the March 15 tornado that struck Chilton County, the outpouring of community support by local businesses, restaurants, organizations, schools and individuals rivaled that as hundreds responded to the call to help.

The call to action did not come from small pockets or select communities, it came from every corner of Chilton County to help their neighbors in the southeastern part of the county. With hundreds of people offering their assistance, it was impossible to list all of the entities helping in the aftermath.

It started as early as 8 a.m. on March 16 when churches in Maplesville like Hillcrest Baptist Church on Highway 82 opened its doors for those who lost everything. The ladies of Hillcrest Baptist provided a secure place for residents to stay during the day, and also a hot meal if needed. From there, it took off.

Valle Grande Mexican Grill and owner Sergio Sanchez took the weather event to heart with one of their locations being right in the heart of downtown Maplesville. The restaurant cooked their entire inventory of food from its Maplesville and Selma locations to provide hot meals for families affected, and employees from its Clanton, Maplesville and Selma locations all came to pitch in.

“This is what community is about — helping each other, because we never know when it would be us on the other side needing help,” Valle Grande’s Facebook post said.

Overall, nearly 1,800 plates of food were provided by Valle Grande. Throughout the day on March 16 the meals were passed out in the communities of Maplesville, Pletcher, Isabella and Plantersville, and Sanchez stopped at every single house that looked like they needed a warm meal.

“We are dropping food everywhere,” Sanchez said on March 16. “We have taken some to (Hillcrest Church) and we are making our rounds. We spent the morning in Plantersville, and now we are coming through (Chilton County).”

Other businesses directly in Maplesville pitched in to help including Tammy Seales with Maplesville Florist and Amanda and Dewayne Burnett with 36seven50 Boutique with more businesses in the town providing immediate relief efforts with supplies. Businesses and establishments from outside the Maplesville town limits were compelled to help as well, which included Ya Betta Eat Cajun Smokehouse, Church of the Highlands in Alabaster, Martin Funeral Home, Bones Backstreet BBQ and so many more from around Chilton County who have donated supplies and food.

“The support that we have seen already … Words cannot describe it,” a member of the Wilson family said on March 16 during their cleanup efforts.

Churches were also a staple of the recovery efforts and support throughout the week that followed the tornado. New Life Assembly of God Church in Maplesville received numerous cases of water from Safe Harbor Church in Prattville for tornado victims. The church made several posts on its social media platforms for those affected to come get what they need. Liberty Hill Baptist Church opened their showers and provided hygiene bags that people could come by at any time throughout the week to grab and take a shower. Numerous schools in Chilton County also held fundraisers with their students to raise funds and support.

While the old saying goes “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” it is always easier to have someone to lean on during trying times. When trying times struck numerous Chilton residents this week, even more people were there to offer a shoulder to lean on. The event truly showed that when everyone comes together here in Chilton County, the area really is Chilton Strong.

More News

MPD still looking for suspects in walking trail vandalism

All is good in Maryville for Allgood

Parole granted, denied for Chilton offenders

He’s Risen: Motorcycle ride rolls through Clanton to spread gospel