Mount Vernon business owner to provide aid to wildfire victims
MOUNT VERNON, Texas (KETK) — As wildfires in the Panhandle continue to burn more than 1.2 million acres, East Texas businesses and organizations are asking for donations to help affected ranchers and farmers.
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2S Feed and Ranch Supply, in Mount Vernon, partnered with the Pittsburg Rodeo Association to bring aid to those who’ve lost everything.
“The biggest thing about the ranching community is we’re always there to help each other, no matter what it is,” Dexter Sumpter, owner of 2S Feed Ranch and Supply, said.
Sumpter said he lost his livelihood in Hurricane Harvey and understands the needs of the people out west.
“We experienced a lot of damage, livestock loss, which I know wildfires and hurricanes completely different, but either way, it’s still a natural disaster. You lose a lot of your livelihood through it,” Sumpter said.
Livestock, building and infrastructure are now gone along with hay and grass to feed animals.
Sumpter said he understands that having viable equipment like fencing material is needed to start rebuilding.
“There were several miles of fence that is just gone. Knowing that costs are so high we wanted to make sure to help ranchers and farmers out there,” Sumpter said.
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Barbed wire, tree posts, cash donations and more would also help people in the Panhandle immensely.
The Longview FFA reached out to the community on social media also asking for donations. March 12 is the last day they will accept donations before they head out.
“Remember six months from now these people are going to need help,” Sumpter said.
Sumpter said he will help his neighbors out and will do all he can just like others helped him in 2017.
He said they do not have a deadline yet on when donations are due, but will receive items for the next few months so consistent help can keep heading out to those in need.
On Thursday, Longview FFA posted to Facebook with an update on donations to the panhandle.
Tatum FFA helped out with a large donation, pictured above.
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