Ways to donate your time, money and supplies to the storm relief effort:
Lowndes County
· The United Way of Lowndes County said local volunteers and donations are needed to aid with disaster efforts in Mississippi.
Specific items needed in the affected areas: Paper products, antiseptic spray, cereal, Pop Tarts, ramen noodles and other non-perishable food supplies, toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby food, canned baby formula (not powder), baby cereal, water, drinks, canned goods with pop tops, hand sanitizer, diapers, plastic utensils, new clothing like blue jeans, T-shirts, socks and underwear (no used clothing), women”s feminine hygiene products, new blankets, soap, shampoo, new pillows, batteries, flashlights and candles.
United Way of Lowndes County will collect donated items through Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the United Way office, 501 7th Street N. An 18-wheeler will be at the location, and vacant office space will also be used for storage. The collection dates may be extended. United Way partnered with Cadence Bank to have a drop-off location at the bank at 3601 Bluecutt Road, with the same drop-off hours.
Volunteers are also needed to work various shifts to help take in donations.
Emily Williams, Project Coordinator for the United Way of Lowndes County Community Volunteer Center, is the contact person for collecting items and coordinating volunteers. Her email address is [email protected] and the Volunteer Center phone number is 327-0807.
· The American Red Cross in Lowndes County needs people to help answer the influx of telephone calls, their biggest need right now. Interested volunteers may train to assess damage in Webster County and Smithville. Volunteers are also needed to unload trucks of supplies into local warehouses. To contact the Red Cross in Lowndes County, contact Pauline Redmond at 662-328-5710.
To donate to the national Red Cross by cell phone, text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can also donate online at redcross.org, or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
To donate by mail, send checks to American Red Cross; P.O. Box 4002018; Des Moines, IA 50340.
· A benefit concert, C-Town Cares, will be held from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, at the Columbus Riverwalk. The event features local bands, an auction, and other events. Proceeds benefit victims of the Smithville tornado. For more information on the benefit, follow the benefit”s Facebook page. Search for C-Town Cares.
· A semi trailer has been set up in front of Southern Family Market in east Columbus to take donations for tornado victims. Volunteers are manning the trailer.
· The Columbus Police Department, in conjunction with The Columbus Packet and Community Resource Connection, is asking for donations for storm victims to be dropped off at the Columbus Municipal Complex at 1501 Main St.
The following items are needed:
Personal Care Items: Shampoo, combs, shaving cream, disposable blades, towels and washcloths, women”s sanitary items, toothpaste and toothbrushes, adult diapers, and deodorant.
Non-perishable food items: Canned meats, canned vegetables, canned fruits, bottled water, shelf-stable milk, flavored drink packs.
Baby supplies: Diapers, baby wipes, baby powder, diaper rash cream, blankets, towels, washcloths, shampoo, bowls, spoons, baby food, baby formula, bottles.
Other items needed: Flashlights, batteries, candles, matches, bandages and antiseptic, hand sanitizer, garbage bags, lip balm, denture cream, sandwich bags, eye care products, dust/face masks, gift cards (with receipts included in case cards don”t work), work gloves, school supplies, blankets and pillows, coolers, manual can openers, totes, sunscreen, tweezers, tarps to cover homes and other items.
· North Mississippi Disaster Relief is collecting donations for storm victims in a large red metal container at 403 3rd Ave. S. in Columbus.
The following items are needed: Water (bottled or gallons), canned foods, dry foods, clothing, blankets, shoes, toiletries, paper products, plasticware, baby food, baby bottles, diapers, wipes, flash lights, batteries, can openers, hand sanitizer, other bottled drinks, tools, medical supplies, tarps, and storage containers.
They are also collecting money to help victims purchase fuel for chainsaws and other needed items.
Anyone who cannot bring their items in person is welcome to call North Mississippi Disaster Relief for pick-up.
For more information, please contact Chan Davis at 251-3557, Callie Steenstra at 889-3283, or Holly Nelson at 386-5884.
· We CAN Help, based in Caledonia, is collecting empty aluminum cans to raise money for tornado victims. Cans can be dropped off at various distribution points, where they will be recycled and proceeds donated to affected towns.
Cans can be dropped off at the following locations:
· Columbus, all fire departments except volunteer stations
· Caledonia, at the Caledonia Quick Stop and Caledonia Fire Department downtown.
· Aberdeen, at the City Barber Shop across from Renaissance Bank on East Washington Street.
· Steens/Lone Oak, at the old country store.
· The Lowndes County YMCA and JCPenney are collecting donations of new underwear for victims of the tornadoes. Suggested donations include: Socks, underwear, and bras – new items only. Drop-offs of all sizes are welcome at any of the four Lowndes County YMCAs and JCPenney at Leigh Mall.
Statewide
· The Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund is accepting donations. Donate either through the website, www.mississippirelief.com, or text “MS” to 27722 to give $10.
Donors also can send a check to the Mississippi Disaster Recovery Fund, c/o BankPlus; 4450 Old Canton Road, Suite 101; Jackson, MS, 39211; or donate at any BankPlus branch.
In Alabama
· The Alabama Governor”s Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives steps in when other avenues have relief have been exhausted. Go to servealabama.gov to give money or volunteer time.
· United Way of West Alabama: 2720 Sixth St. No. 100, between Lurleen Wallace Boulevard and Capitol Park, 205-345-6640. The United Way could use donations of nonperishable food items, clothes, tarps, and feminine hygiene products. You can also make cash donations, all of which will stay local, by credit card at www.uwwa.org.
· St. Mark United Methodist Church: 1421 McFarland Blvd., Northport, Alabama, 205-339-5990. The church is currently serving as a shelter for the displaced, and you can send it nonperishable food and clothes. If you”re in the area, they could also use volunteers with medical training.
· Salvation Army: The Salvation Army”s Emergency Disaster Services is providing food to the displaced. You can donate $10 to them by texting “GIVE” to 80888. To donate online, go to salvationarmyusa.org, and to give via phone, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and say you”d like to designate your funds for the “April 2011 Tornado Outbreak.”
Send checks to Salvation Army Disaster Relief; P.O. Box 100339; Atlanta, GA 30384.
Help us add to this list. Post any food drive or other effort aiding storm victims in the comments below, and post on The Dispatch”s Facebook wall, www.facebook.com/thedispatch.
Sources: Dispatch staff; nems360.com; Good Action
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