| This Spring has seen a series of devastating natural disasters hit the South and Midwest regions of the United States. Between the recent flooding of towns all along the Mississippi River and the deadly storms and tornadoes that have ripped through communities in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and now Missouri, Kansas and Minnesota, there is urgent need now and for the foreseeable future to safeguard and rebuild these communities. The following relief efforts are now underway. We will update this page as we learn more. Know of additional efforts? Let us know at webmaster@afpnet.org. Donation/Support Efforts - National: • The United Way supports agencies such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army to be on the front lines of tornado relief efforts. Go online to donate to the United Way's Tornado Disaster Fund, call 1-855-205-HELP or text "TORNADO" to 50555 to donate $10. Visit the website for drop-off locations to donate items like bottled water, diapers and flashlights.
• The American Red Cross is helping tornado victims recover by providing food, shelter and essential relief supplies such as hygiene kits, work gloves, tarps and coolers. To donate, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. People can also text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to local American Red Cross chapters or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
• To support The Salvation Army’s relief efforts, you can donate online at www.salvationarmyusa.org. People can also donate via text - send “JOPLIN” to 80888 to make a $10 donation. Confirm when prompted with “yes.”
• AmeriCares is delivering bottled water, medical aid and other critically needed supplies to communities across the South and Central U.S. To donate, go online or call 1(800) 486-HELP.
• Convoy of Hope's disaster response team, with the help of volunteers, is providing food, water and supplies at distribution sites. Visit the organization's website to find out about volunteer opportunities or to make a donation.
• Save the Children works to distribute truckloads of shoes, diapers, portable cribs and toys to affected families. Donations to the group's Southern U.S. Tornado Children in Emergency Fund will support the ongoing needs resulting from the devastating tornadoes.
• Direct Relief USA is working with partners across the Southeast to supply them with the medical aid they need for patients and people affected by severe storms and tornadoes. Donations can be made on the website.
• The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is seeking donations to assist in its efforts to help those affected by recent storms and tornadoes in the Midwest. Donation/Support Efforts - Regional: • The American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay is accepting donations of any size from people who want to help the residents of those communities hammered by the tornadoes in Central and Western Massachusetts. People can donate online at www.redcross.org or by phone: 1-800-RED-CROSS. Those who wish to donate can also text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to send $10 to the organization.
• The Minnesota Council of Foundations has set up a website highlighting volunteer opportunities, donations, and other news focusing on the areas of Minneapolis impacted by the tornado.
• giveMN has created the North Minneapolis Recovery Fund to support the immediate and long-term needs of those affected by the tornado.
• The United Way of Greater St. Louis is accepting donations and volunteers to help those impacted in the Joplin area. Those interested in volunteering should list their availability and expertise on their Joplin Storm Recovery Volunteer Form.
• The Heart of Missouri United Way has established the Tornado Relief Fund to help victims.
• The Community Foundation of Kansas City has created two funds to pool donations, which you can make donations to online - the Joplin Missouri Disaster Relief Fund and the Reading Kansas Disaster Relief Fund. Community Foundation staff will perform the due diligence to ensure that grants from both funds are awarded to organizations addressing the immediate needs of the victims of the tornadoes, such as providing food, shelter and medical care/supplies. If you would like to donate with your credit card, please call 816-842-7444.
• Ozarks Food Harvest has set up a list of food agencies that are helping the hungry in this tornado-striken region. Web Resources: • The Salvation Army's blog - http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/ - provides running updates on relief efforts on the ground, as well as key information on how folks can best help ongoing outreach.
• The Red Cross operates a National Shelter System Google map, where people can find information about shelters in their area.
• In addition, the Red Cross encourages people to register on the Red Cross Safe and Well website or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to let loved ones know they are safe. From a smartphone, visit www.redcross.org/safeandwell and click on the "List Yourself as Safe and Well" or "Search for Friends and Family" link.
• Relief Spark is a nonprofit focused on remodeling schools, but in the wake of the tornado, it has turned its Twitter feed into a valuable resource of information. Sample tweets direct first responders to meeting places and to posting what shelters have just opened their doors.
• On Facebook, a page have been created to help residents find loved ones and join in the recovery process, including the Joplin, MO Tornado Recovery Page and a Joplin, MO Survivors’ Page.
• OzarksFirst.com, a local community and new site, has also put together a tremendous resource with help hotlines, phone numbers and web pages for volunteers and victims. It provides emergency numbers, the state senator’s office number and special hotlines for nurses and doctors looking to lend a hand. |
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