After weeks of organizing donated goods and recruiting volunteer workers, a warehouse catering to residents hit by the April 27 tornadoes has an opening date of June 1.

The facility, located at 1968 U.S. 31 South in Athens, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The warehouse is owned by the Limestone Farmer’s Cooperative and is being provided free of charge to the Limestone County Recovery Committee for six to nine months.

Since the announcement of the warehouse, the multi-agency recovery committee has worked out a delivery method for the goods, secured volunteers who will sort the goods and secured a warehouse manager, Angela Mclin.

“Miracles are happening in that warehouse left and right in terms of how the goods are being sorted,” said Kaye Young McFarlen, director of the Athens-Limestone United Way.

Though volunteers have stepped forward, she said the warehouse is still in need of volunteer “sorters and toters” and “firmly compassionate” volunteers to work the front desk.

McFarlen wanted to stress that those impacted by the tornadoes cannot simply walk up to the warehouse and receive assistance. Nonprofit help agencies in the recovery committee will refer clients who need assistance.

The warehouse will also not serve those affected only by power outages. Limestone County Churches Involved and the Athens-Limestone Food and Shelter will be catering to those who have food needs.

The Department of Human Resources will also be registering residents this week who want to apply for D-SNAP food benefits. Registration will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Limestone County Event Center at 114 West Pryor St., in Athens.

What the warehouse will be distributing is primarily household items, though it will also carry clothing for a short time. McFarlen said items most needed at the warehouse are ordinary household items like towels, washcloths, sheets, pots and pans, furniture and household appliances.

In the future, the warehouse will also carry building materials, from cans of paint to windows. However, all building materials must be new.

“Two weeks ago, this (warehouse) was a dream, but today it’s a reality and next Wednesday, clients will actually be receiving goods,” McFarlen said.