Texas credit unions have been contacting the Texas Credit Union Foundation on Thursday asking how they can help other credit unions and their members who might have been damaged or harmed in the explosion Wednesday night at a fertilizer plant in the town of West.

A fire at the plant in the small town about 20 miles north of Waco caused a devastating explosion that has killed and injured an as yet unknown number of people and heavily damaged or destroyed homes and commercial buildings.

“In times of crisis, the Foundation is here to help our credit unions and their staff get back on their feet so that they in turn can be there for their members,” says TCUF Executive Director Courtney Moran.

Moran says the TCUF is currently assessing the situation to determine the scope of damage – if any – credit unions and their staff might have experienced. If it is determined that the damage is widespread, TCUF will activate its disaster relief fund.

“Already I received countless emails and phone calls from credit unions across the state wanting to know how they can help,” says Moran. “It's so gratifying to know that we serve in a movement where people really care about each other.”

The foundation said it would notify credit unions if the disaster relief fund is activated.