BROOKSVILLE, Florida -- A popular restaurant in Hernando County is working get help to the Florida Panhandle.
- Florida Cracker Kitchen collecting items for Hurricane Michael victims
- Trailer set up outside the restaurant as a drop-off location
- Items include water, non-perishable food, clothes
If you drive by Florida Cracker Kitchen in Brooksville this week, you'll see a trailer out front, ready to stock up on donations to help people affected by Hurricane Michael.
"One day it's going to hit us so let's help folks so that one day when it hits us some folks will help us," Blair Hensley with Florida Cracker Kitchen said.
The restaurant is collecting non-perishable food items, water, toiletries, clothes, anything to help people get back on their feet.
Hensley started the drive as a way to help former Hernando High School Football Coach John Palmer who now lives in Port St. Joe.
"We like to help our own," Hensley said. "Coach Palmer graduated from Hernando High he's come back to help our community. Now it's time for our community to help him."
Palmer rode out the storm in Jacksonville and headed back to Port St. Joe on Sunday.
"Our home is structurally sound there is some tree damage but we don't know the extent of that at this time," Palmer said.
"Brooksville, the people there have always been very kind, generous. I've always kind of felt like Port St. Joe is a lot like Brooksville in that regard," he added.
Hensley plans to meet up with Palmer next week with the donations and then get them to those who need it the most.
"Knowing that somebody else cares and has you in their thoughts and prayers is tremendous," Palmer said.
Hensley knows it could have been a lot worse in Hernando County. He co-owns a cabin property on the water that did get flooded, but they were able to get it cleaned up quickly.
"If we would have been hit by a real storm those cabins probably wouldn't be sitting there," Hensley said.
"We have to thank our lucky stars and help the folks that their lucky stars weren't so lucky," he added.
The trailer will be outside Florida Cracker Kitchen anytime it's open Tuesday-Sunday.
A trip up north is planned for Tuesday, October 23.