Athens Technical College is collecting donations this week for tornado victims in South Georgia.

A truck from South Georgia Technical College is scheduled to pick up donations at 11 a.m. Friday, so the college is asking people to bring donations to the Athens Tech Library by the end of the business day on Thursday.

Forty tornadoes ripped through south and middle Georgia Jan. 21 and 22, according to the National Weather Service — twice the state’s average for a whole year, and the largest two-day tornado outbreak on record. The 27 tornadoes that struck Jan. 21 were also the most recorded on a single day in the state.

The violent storms killed 16 people in Georgia and left behind at least $100 million in property damage.

Both the Red Cross and the Second Harvest Food Bank, which covers 30 south Georgia counties, are collecting donations of money that will go directly to aid storm victims. Both organizations also need volunteers to help distribute food or work in local churches or shelters. Donations to the Red Cross can be made online at redcross.org or mailed to 509 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, GA 31601. Donations to the food bank can also be made online at feedingsga.org, or email [email protected].

Needed items that can be brought to the Athens Tech Library include work gloves, blankets and other bedding items, towels, underwear, socks, cleaning supplies such as bleach, non-perishable food items such as canned goods, rice and pasta, and small toys.

Also needed are snack items (preferably individually packaged) and beverages such as sports drinks, juices and sodas.

Not needed for now: Bottled water and personal hygiene items.