ST. LOUIS – The Missouri National Guard began taking debris at Farragut Elementary School on Thursday. 

The empty school parking lot has now been turned into a collection site for waste related to this month’s tornado. 

Lamon Phillips’ street is lined with full dumpsters and he says they still need more. 

“All these big, old trash cans on the street, if anybody knows anybody that can get some trash cans on the street, we just need all hands on deck,” he said. 

With the large amount of debris, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said that SLPS helped partner with the city and the Missouri National Guard to offer up the location at Farragut Elementary. 

“You don’t have to bring your debris here. This is another option. We recognize there is just an enormous amount of debris within the community. This is an option if you’re able to move your debris here to get it off-site rather quickly,” Spencer said. 

Throughout the week, the city plans to open three more collection sites at other schools. 

The other locations will be at DeAndreis/Bunch School, Marshall Branch School and Turner Middle School. 

“A community that comes together at times like this can only get stronger or better, so when the mayor called, we were more than excited to come together,” said SLPS Superintendent Millicent Borishade. 

At Farragut, people can bring drywall, bricks, yard waste and more. 

They are asked not to bring appliances, chemicals or other hazardous materials.

The guard will be there every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.