Mission Oak Cliff collecting donations to help families impacted by deadly Dallas apartment explosion: "Trying to rebuild"

The people of Oak Cliff are stepping up to help their neighbors after an apartment building explosion Thursday killed three people, including a child, and injured at least five others. Officials said recovery efforts ended on Friday to find those unaccounted for, but have yet to share if any residents have been found. 

At Mission Oak Cliff, a church and food distribution center, donations were being collected for residents impacted by the deadly incident throughout Friday morning. 

Organizer and pastor Gannon Sims said the nonprofit is currently helping 23 families, and Mission Oak Cliff will be holding a donation drive from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 29.

"Folks are trying to rebuild their lives, and we're working with the city to get lists of exactly what each family needs, so we can begin helping them rebuild their lives," Sims said.

Sims shared that Mission Oak Cliff is collecting essential items, including water, blankets, clothes, gift cards and baby supplies. You can also donate here. 

"I live in the community a couple of miles down the road," Oak Cliff resident Monica Bennett said. "And when I saw the news yesterday, the least I can do is come drop off some water and help."

Others arrived with carloads of donations after hearing about the devastation that displaced dozens.

"Brought a lot of men's clothes, children's clothes, women's clothes, pretty much going through everything we could possibly donate," said Oak Cliff resident Adam Hunter.

For many, supporting Mission Oak Cliff is personal because the organization has been serving the community for years.

"When we saw what happened, we made sure we wanted to come and support. Mission Oak Cliff has been here for years," Hunter continued. "When our neighbors are in need, we want to make sure we help them out."

Beyond the donations, many said they want these families to know they're not facing this alone.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins also said residents can donate to the Red Cross to help families, too. 

Woman grateful to be alive, family safe

CBS News Texas spoke with a resident, Kacee Brocker, on Thursday, who said she was out running errands when the explosion happened at her building.

She shared she's trying to come to terms with losing pretty much everything she and her family own, but is grateful to be safe. She still hasn't been able to find their cat, Shirley. 

"I've been sitting over there crying for several hours," she said. "I don't know what to do. Like everything. This is all I have right here."  

Brocker said she had just moved into the apartment building, The Clyde, last week.

Reunification center set up for families

W.H. Adamson High School, located in the 300 block of East 9th Street, is now serving as a reunification center for families affected by the explosion. Brocker spent most of Thursday there.

CBS News Texas also spoke to a woman who said her friend, Sylvia Collins, is one of the victims who remains unaccounted for after the blast. Collins is known as a community advocate and is the precinct chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party.

Many families and loved ones are holding onto hope as Dallas Fire-Rescue remains on scene Friday to thoroughly search through the debris.