Unfortunately, my community has been hit by yet another natural disaster.
Shiocton is my hometown, and it feels like we had barely begun recovering from the devastating flooding that affected communities across this part of Wisconsin when the Fox Cities were hit again.
I was in Appleton when the tornado struck on July 27. Thankfully, I was not directly in its path, but it was terrifying how quickly conditions changed.
The National Weather Service preliminarily rated the tornado an EF3, with estimated peak winds of 140 mph. It remained on the ground for 26 minutes and traveled more than 12 miles from Appleton toward Menasha. As of Tuesday evening, 68 people had been treated for non-serious injuries, and officials reported no deaths or serious injuries.
Given the damage left behind, that is remarkable.
What has also been remarkable is watching people across the Fox Cities immediately begin helping one another again.
On Tuesday, I volunteered with Operation BBQ Relief as meals were being prepared in the St. Vincent de Paul parking lot in Oshkosh. Those meals were being sent to first responders, volunteers, and families affected by the storm.
People continually stopped to ask how they could help. Some handed volunteers whatever cash they happened to have with them to support the effort.
Another Operation BBQ Relief volunteer stationed at one of the shelters told us that donations were arriving faster than people were coming in to collect items.
That is only one small example. Restaurants are preparing free meals. Churches and community organizations have opened their doors. Volunteers are clearing debris, distributing supplies, fostering pets, and checking on neighbors.
The desire to help is clearly here. The challenge now is making sure that help reaches the right places without creating more traffic or work for emergency crews.
The following resources were current as of July 29, 2026. Needs and operating hours are changing quickly, so check the linked organization before leaving home.
Volunteer Fox Cities is coordinating official tornado response opportunities.
This is the best starting point for anyone who wants to help with cleanup or recovery. Volunteers should not enter damaged neighborhoods unless they have been directed there by Volunteer Fox Cities, Emergency Management, or another official response organization.
Volunteers may be required to check in, complete a liability waiver, and attend a safety briefing before receiving an assignment. Closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a photo ID are recommended.
Please do not drive into affected neighborhoods simply to see the damage. Extra vehicles can block utility crews, emergency responders, and residents attempting to reach their homes.
The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, United Way Fox Cities, and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation have created the Community Response Fund 2026 Tornado Relief.
This is one of the most direct options for people who want their donations to remain local. The fund will support organizations assisting people in Winnebago, Calumet, and Outagamie counties with housing, safe shelter, food, health needs, and financial assistance.
Organizers say the money will be used for both immediate needs and longer-term recovery.
Financial contributions can also be more useful than physical goods during a fast-changing disaster response. Local organizations can purchase exactly what is needed, avoid storing unnecessary items, and sometimes buy supplies in bulk.
Operation BBQ Relief is the organization I am personally volunteering with.
The group mobilizes volunteers to prepare and distribute hot meals after disasters. You do not need to be a professional cook or pitmaster to help.
New volunteers can join Operation BBQ Relief's Red Shirt Nation. Registration includes creating a volunteer profile and completing a background check. Volunteers then receive notifications when deployments and events need assistance.
You can also donate directly to Operation BBQ Relief. Donations support the food, fuel, equipment, and logistics required to prepare and distribute meals during disaster deployments.
The former University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Fox Cities campus at 1478 Midway Road in Menasha is being used as a volunteer reception center and donation site.
However, requested items have already changed several times.
As of the morning of July 29, organizers said they did not need additional bottled water or clothing at the campus. Requested supplies included nonperishable food, sports drinks, protein drinks, disposable plates and utensils, garbage bags, work gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, reflective safety vests and hygiene products.
Financial donations were preferred.
Before filling your vehicle with supplies, check the Volunteer Fox Cities storm response page for the most recent list. A well-intended truckload of something that is no longer needed can create additional sorting and disposal work.
The Community Blood Center declared an emergency blood shortage on July 27. Multiple blood types were at less than a two-day supply, and all blood types and platelets were urgently needed.
Appointments can be scheduled through The Community Blood Center or by calling 800-280-4102.
This is another practical way to help, particularly for people who cannot safely participate in physical cleanup work.
Unfortunately, scammers often appear almost as quickly as legitimate fundraisers after a disaster.
WBAY has published a helpful warning about GoFundMe scams following the Appleton and Menasha tornado.
Before donating, look closely at who created the fundraiser, who will receive the money, and how the organizer knows the person affected. A legitimate campaign should have a clear story and explain how the funds will be used.
GoFundMe says it has a crisis response team reviewing tornado-related fundraisers, including organizer identities, beneficiary information and banking details. Suspicious campaigns can also be reported directly to the platform.
When you are unsure, donating through an established local organization is the safer option.
Winnebago County has created a regularly updated Fox Cities tornado information and resource page.
It includes information about shelters, food and water, the boil-water order, cleanup assistance, pet resources and other community services.
Residents can also call 211 to report storm damage and be connected with recovery resources. Reporting damage helps emergency managers understand where assistance is most urgently needed.
I hate that this is another resource my community needs.
But after watching people drop what they were doing to cook meals, collect donations, clear debris, and ask complete strangers how they could help, I have never been more grateful to live here.
The recovery will not be finished in a few days. The most useful thing we can do is help in a coordinated way: register for an official volunteer assignment, donate through a trusted organization, give blood or share verified resources with someone who needs them.
The instinct to help is already everywhere. Now we need to make sure that help goes where it can do the most good.
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