April 28th, 2011
last updated at 11 a.m. Tuesday 6/14/11. Please send corrections or additions to Stuart Norman, snorman@alabamapoverty.org.
In the wake of the devastating storms of April 27, 238 Alabamians are confirmed dead, at least 1700 injured, and hundreds more are missing. Facing these immediate needs can be overwhelming, but there are many ways for us to give, volunteer and advocate for our friends and neighbors:
IMPORTANT UPDATE: FEMA Assisstance Deadline
- Donate to the Red Cross. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation (after you send the text, you will receive a reply asking if you would like to specify your gift for tornado relief)
- Support the Salvation Army. Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or text “GIVE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation.
- Give to the Governor’s Tornado Relief Fund
- Donate to the United Way of West Alabama
- Support the United Way of Central Alabama
- Give to the UA Acts of Kindness Fund
- Fund your area food bank
- Text “FOOD” to 27722 to donate $10 to West Alabama Food Bank
- Support the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce Relief Fund
- Give to the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions
- Donate to the Birmingham Jewish Federation Tornado Relief Fund
- Support Catholic Charities USA
- Give to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Relief Fund
- Episcopal Diocese of Alabama Tornado Relief Information
- Support the Presbyterian Relief Fund
- Designate emergency relief gifts through Samaritan’s Purse
- Donate to the United Methodist Committee on Relief
- Tuscaloosa K9 Camp Relief Efforts: Help Us Rebuild
- Give blood through Life South or the Red Cross
DONATE SUPPLIES
Please contact individual locations to see what items they need and how you can help.
- Donate items in other states: Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa
- Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes
- Alabama School Library Association
- Blogger Baby Shower
- Community Furniture Bank
- Couponing for a Cause
- Alabaster: Books-A-Million, First United Methodist Church, Help for our Furry Friends,Signed Sealed Delivered, STRA
- Alberta City: Nucor
- Alexander City: Alex City Pawn Shop
- Alexandria: Mt. Zion Baptist Church
- Andalusia: Piggly Wiggly
- Anniston: Donation Distribution Center (the old commissary on McClellan – turn onto to Summerall Gate Road and follow it straight to the facility), Cornerstone Worship Center, New Hope Ministries – Soles of Hope, YMCA
- Ashville: Ashville Community Center, Ashville Middle School, Bethany Baptist Church,Covered Bridge Timber Company
- Athens: First Baptist Church Family Life Center
- Auburn: Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Auburn Dental Spa, Gentilly Quick, Ham Wilson Livestock Arena, Kathy Powell State Farm, Ross Street Public Safety Department, Resource MFG, Toomer’s fundraiser, United Methodist Church, Unwired
- Autaga and Elmore County: First Community Bank – 6 locations
- Athens: First Baptist Family Life Center
- Bay Minette: Piggly Wiggly
- Bessemer: Cross Road Baptist Church, Landers McLarty Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Town and County Ford – call 216-4688, Walmart
- Birmingham: Alabama Baby & Child Magazine, Birmingham News, Birmingham Race Course,Brannon Honda, Brooks Hall (Samford), Cahaba Disaster Relief Drive, Christian Service Mission, Church of the Highlands, Crestwood Tavern, Dog Days, Fairfield Inn Inverness,Greater Birmingham Humane Society, Greater Birmingham Ministries, Hill University Center(UAB), Lakeshore Walmart, McGregor Greyhound Welfare Center, My Child’s Closet (contact Sally Elwood, 908-4387), Norton Hall (Birmingham-Southern College), Parkside Cafe (pet supplies), Salvation Army Disaster Warehouse, Scott Elementary School, Sheraton Hotel,Urban Standard
- Boaz: First Baptist Church
- Books-A-Million locations statewide
- Brantley: Next to the red light
- Brewton: Brewton Motor Inn,YMCA , St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
- Brookwood: Brookwood High School, G.G. Hardin Center
- Calera: Concord Baptist Church Student Center, Victory GMC
- Chelsea: Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union, Johnny Rays, Liberty Baptist Church, Prince Wembley Productions
- Childersberg: Church of God, Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union
- Clanton: Police department, First Assembly of God
- Columbiana: Cornerstone Christian School, South Shelby Chamber of Commerce,
- Cordova: Cordova High School, Dovertown Free Will Baptist Church
- Cottondale: Fleetwood Baptist Church
- Cullman: Elks Lodge, Food Bank
- Daphne: Fire Department
- Deatsville: Marbury High School
- Decatur: Epic Church, Warehouse F (North Alabama Methodist Disaster Relief Center) –contact 256-341-9961
- Dothan: Alabama Florida Council of Boy Scouts USA Service Center, James Bowman Realty,Dothan Association of Realtors, Westgate Fire Department
- Dora: Civic Center
- Eclectic: 62 Kowaliga Road (next to the Eclectic Tavern), Tornado Victim Center
- Epes/Gainesville: Federation of Southern Cooperatives – 205-652-9676
- Eutaw: Springfield United Methodist Church
- Fairhope: Rec Center
- Fayette: Mayfield Volunteer Fire Department
- Flat Rock: Community Center
- Flomaton: Fire Department
- Florence: Brandon Center – contact Jenna, Pamela, or Mike Stonbraker, 256-766-4513, Central High School – contact cheloe.young@lcschools.org, Highland Baptist Church, Shoals Salvation Army
- Fort Payne: DeKalb Red Cross, First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, Wills Valley Community Church
- Fort Walton Beach: Law Office of Marshall F. Moll, Jr
- Fyffe: Church of God
- Gadsden: Big Oak Community Volunteer Fire Department, Crosspoint Community Church,Samson & Delilah Hair Salon, Walmart, Riverview Medical Center PACU – 2nd floor nurses station collecting backpacks for kids
- Geraldine: Heart of Sand Mountain Disaster Relief Center (Geraldine High School)
- Graysville: New Beginnings Church
- Greenville: Butler County Courthouse
- Gulf Shores: Papas Pizza at Pelican Place, Walmart
- Gift Cards That Care
- Hackleburg: First Baptist Church, Volunteer Fire Department
- Hamilton: First Baptist Church, Hamilton Recreation Center – contact Shanna at 334-202-1214
- Heflin: Pleasant Grove Elementary, W.M. Grocery
- Helena: the old Winn Dixie parking lot
- Henager: Henager Baptist Church
- Hodges: contact Erica, 205-495-3534
- Holt: Holt High School, Holt Elementary School
- Homewood: All Saint’s Episcopal, Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Hart and Soul Coffee Shop, Homewood Pharmacy, Residence Inn
- Hoover: 24E Fitness, Academy Sports, Bruno’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Courtyard Hotel, Crest Cadillac Hummer, Homewood Suites Hilton, Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Riverchase United Methodist Church – Rev. Ray 397-3012 or Rev. Lacey 202-1879, Riverchase Baptist Church, On Tap Sports Cafe, Signed Sealed Delivered, Walmart
- Hueytown: Brooklane Baptist Academy, New Mount Moriah Baptist Church, North Highlands Baptist Church, Taylor Bug’s
- Huntsville: Salvation Army
- Ider: Ider Baptist Church, Ider Rescue Squad
- Jacksonville: Eagle Point Church, Get Personalized, New Liberty Baptist Church, Williams First Baptist Church
- Jasper: Pisgah Baptist Church
- Kimberly: City Hall
- Lannet: Spring Road Christian Church
- Leeds: The Tower of Prayer
- Millbrook: The American Legion – contact Dan Lawless at 334-202-3534
- Mobile: ANYTIME Fitness, University & Cottage Hill UPS, Baldwin Transfer, Old Shell & McGregor UPS, Kids Kottage, Living Word Church, The Posh Tot Boutique, Java City(University of South Alabama), Eastern Shore Centre
- Montgomery: Alabama Christian Academy, Brewbaker Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Capitol Hyundai,D & A Automotive, The Lathan Company, Looney’s Superskate, Sturbridge Plantation Clubhouse
- Moody, Springville, Odenville: The Bradford Road Bunch – contact Christa Hawkins at 205-910-1628 or Gia Wanninger at 205-527-2462
- Moulton: Emergency Management Agency, National Guard Armory
- Mountain Brook: Grandmother’s Joy, Canterbury UMC
- Mount Hope: Mount Hope Baptist Church
- Northport: 5 Points Baptist, Bethel Baptist Church Daycare, Daystar Family Church, Graceway Church, Rodeo (Friday and Saturday), St. Marks United Methodist
- Odenville: Odenville Elementary School
- Ohatchee: Town Hall, Ten Island Missionary Baptist Church
- Oneonta: First Baptist Church – Matt Scott, 205-353-6425, Polka Dots & Flip Flops
- Opelika: Trinity United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 18, Wilhite Trailers – contact nikki.wallace@hotmail.com
- Orange Beach: Cobalt Restaurant, Tacky Jacks
- Oxford: Friendship Community Church, Word Alive Isaiah 58 Warehouse
- Palmerdale/Pinson: Palmerdale United Methodist Church
- Parrish: Police Department
- Pelham: Pelham City Offices, Ballantrae Golf Club, Big Lots, John Deere Landscaping, Life Church, Master’s House Ministries, Music Focus Four, Oak Mountain Community Church,Salon Tarabella, Superior Bank, Walmart, YMCA
- Pell City: Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union
- Phenix City: Colony Furniture, Glenwood School, Walmart
- Phil Campbell: Community Center, East Franklin Jr. High, One Brick at at Time, Piggly Wiggly
- Piedmont: Benevolence Center
- Pinson: Pinson Valley Youth Association
- Pleasant Grove: Bethel Baptist Church, Piggly Wiggly, Pleasant Grove Elementary, Facebook page
- Pratt City: Jackson-Olin High School
- Prattville: A & J Rentals, Destiny Christian Center, Instyle Hair Studio, Rethreads, UPS Store
- Rainbow City: Walgreens
- Rainsville: Broadway Baptist Church, Church of God, Orchard Lanes
- Robertsdale: Camping World
- Roebuck: Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union
- Russellville: Clark Pulley Industries, Dream Center,First United Methodist Church– contact Alan Beasley at 256-324-0900
- Sawyerville Volunteer Center: Head Start (Marilyn Pickens – mpickens@halek12.org);Volunteer Fire Department (334-624-7351)
- Selma: Alabama Power Sports, Crosspoint Christian Church
- Semmes: Buck ‘n Up Feed Store
- Somerville: Shiloh Baptist Church
- Springville: Hawk’s Hometown Flooring
- Sylacauga: Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union, Safeguard Fire and Alarm, Sylacauga Garden Apartments – 256-267-258
- Talladega: County Revenue Department at the Talladega County Courthouse – contact Tara LaClair, 256-419-3670, Stephen’s Carpet Co.
- Tallassee: Ben Atkinson Motors, WACQ Radio
- Theodore: Magnolia Springs Baptist Church, Theodore High School
- Toney: Self Storage (see North Alabama Disaster Relief of Ardmore for details)
- Troy: Seraphim Boutique, Terra Cotta Market
- Trussville: First Baptist Church Trussville, First United Methodist Church, Instant Sign Center, Kuttin’ Up Hair Salon, Northpark Baptist Church – Rus Goodwin 908-7985, Realty South, Massey, Stotser & Nichols, YMCA
- Tuscumbia: Shoals Outdoor Sports
- Tuscaloosa: Belk Center, Capstone Church, Catholic Social Services, Christ Episcopal Church, Image Makers Salon, Leland Shopping Center, Locklear Automotive, Mellow Mushroom, Ramada Inn, One Accord Christian Ministry, Temporary Emergency Services – 758-5535, Tera Lane Salon, Tourism & Sports Commission, Tuscaloosa Academy, Tuscaloosa Flower Shoppe, Tuscaloosa K9 Camp Relief Efforts: Help Us Rebuild,UA Greek Relief, Valley View Baptist Church, Westlawn Middle School
- Valley: Chambley’s
- Vance: Community Center – Mayor Keith Mahaffey, ekm@bellsouth.net
- Vestavia: Marks Outdoors, Over the Mountain Toy Drive
- Winfield: Community Center
VOLUNTEER
- Call 2-1-1 (toll free 1-888-421-1266) to find out where volunteers are most needed. In Jefferson County, call Hands on Birmingham directly at 205-251-5849.
- United Way’s Statewide Storm Disaster Volunteer Registration
- To volunteer psychiatric or social work services, contact Katherine Galifianakis, Manager, Mass Care, American Red Cross galifianakisk@usa.redcross.org
- Volunteer contractors: call 205-248-5800 to help out in West Alabama
- Anniston/Calhoun County: Emergency Management Authority, Red Cross, Salvation Army
- Birmingham: Register with Hands on Birmingham. Volunteer with the Birmingham Baptist Association, Birmingham Salvation Army, Christian Service Mission, First Priority, Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, My Child’s Closet (contact Sally Elwood, 908-4387),North Alabama United Methodist Call Center, Red Cross Feeding Unit. Birmingham Baptist Association volunteer training at Central Park Baptist Church in Ensley daily.
- Brookwood: Town Hall
- Colbert County: Board of Education
- Cullman County: Cullman High School
- DeKalb County: Red Cross
- Eclectic: Elmore County High School, Eclectic Tornado Info
- Elmore County: Elmore County High School
- Eoline: contact Daniel Payne on Facebook
- Etowah County: Family Success Center
- Flat Rock: Cartersville Fire Department
- Florence: Macedonia Church of Christ – contact Kelly Crotts, 256-412-2886
- Fultondale: volunteer headquarters is at the Fultondale Public Library
- Geraldine: Heart of Sand Mountain Disaster Relief Center (Geraldine High School)
- Hale County: call 334-507-1842 to help serve hot meals; HERO Housing Resource Project,Sawyerville Volunteer Fire Department
- Hamilton: Rec Center
- Harvest: Crosswinds United Methodist Church
- Huntsville: First Baptist Church
- Jacksonville: Williams Baptist Church
- Jackson County: Volunteers and Donations Facebook page
- Jefferson County: Hands on Birmingham
- Marshall County: Guntersville Recreation Center
- Jacksonville/Pleasant Valley: Williams First Baptist Church
- Mount Hope: Mount Hope Baptist Church
- Muscle Shoals/Phil Campbell/Northwest Shoals Community College: Summer Fest – June 25
- Ohatchee: Big Oak Community Volunteer Fire Department, Police department
- Phil Campbell:Fire Department, One Brick at at Time
- Russelville: First United Methodist Church, One Brick at at Time
- Sand Mountain: Flat Rock Community Center, Fyffe Church of God, Heart of Sand Mountain Disaster Relief Center (Geraldine High School), Ider Rescue Squad, Rainsville Church of God
- Sawyerville: Head Start – contact Marilyn Pickens, mpickens@halek12.org; Volunteer Fire Department
- Spanish Fort: East Pointe Baptist Church
- Springville: Hawk’s Hometown Flooring Work Crew – 205-527-2462 or 205-910-1628
- Tuscaloosa: Volunteer Reception center: The McAbee Center, Compassion Coalition – 205-561-4169, Help Tuscaloosa, Map of Tornado Damage and Volunteer Opportunities,Tuscaloosa Emergency Management Agency, Tuscaloosa Fire & Rescue, Tuscaloosa K9 Camp Relief Efforts: Help Us Rebuild, UA Greek Relief, Volunteer contractors call 205-248-5800
- Walker County: Salvation Army – Jasper
- Wetumpka: Elmore County Food Pantry
- Williams: First Baptist Church Williams
WORK
- Find a job related to tornado recovery and rebuilding – Alabama Joblink
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
UPDATED NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES
- James Spann
- The Birmingham News
- Calhoun County Tornado: Needs and Haves
- Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office
- Calhoun County EMA
- Concord, Al Tornado Updates
- Connecting Cullman
- DeKalb County Tornado Relief
- Eclectic Tornado Info
- Fort Payne Times-Journal
- Help Tuscaloosa
- Hope for Hackleburg
- How to get or provide help in Calhoun County
- Montgomery Advertiser
- Map of Tornado Damage and Volunteer Opportunities
- North Alabama Disaster Relief of Ardmore
- Northwest Alabama Volunteer/Donation Info
- Northeast Alabama Volunteer/Donation Info
- One Brick at at Time
- Pleasant Grove, AL Tornado Updates
- Saving Sand Mountain
- Semmes for Pratt City
- St. Clair Times
- STRA Tornado Relief
- Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa
- The Tuscaloosa News
- Tuscaloosa K9 Camp Relief Efforts: Help Us Rebuild
- UA Greek Relief
- Volunteers and Donations for Jackson County, AL
- WSFA – The Road to Recovery Resource Page
ORGANIZE AND GET HELP
Business assistance
- Central Alabama business can contact Main Street Birmingham for assistance
- Replace missing business documents: www.alabama.gov
- West Alabama businesses in need of warehouse or storage space should call the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority; those with other needs contact the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce
- Storage: Free mini storage for 3 months available from Mini Storage of Birmingham – contact Buddy Dillenberg, 205-251-7867.
- Small business disaster loans: Small Business Administration
- Temporary hiring of tornado victims: Contact ADECA for grant information
Cleanup
- Alabama Department of Public Health Disaster Preparedness Video Library
- ADPH Responder Health and Safety Reference Guide (PDF)
- Returning home after a disaster – CDC
- View a map of Alabama tornado tracks
Donation transportation & logistics
- Contact Toomers for Tuscaloosa with donation drop off and delivery questions
- Transportation services available free of charge from Good Moves Moving Systems
Employment
- Find a job related to tornado recovery and rebuilding – Alabama Joblink
- File for unemployment related to storm damage – Alabama Department of Industrial Relations
- Grants to hire tornado victims: Contact ADECA
Family and food assistance
- Get information on foster care, food assistance and other family assistance from theAlabama Department of Human Resources
- Disaster food assistance: Visit the DHR website for information who is eligible to apply, and when, at the following locations. Cullman County DHR – First Church of the Nazarene, Cullman; DeKalb County – Fyffe Church of God gymnasium; Franklin County – Calvary Baptist Church, Russelville; Jefferson County – Boutwell Auditorium; Lawrence County –Moulton Recreation Center; Marshall County – Albertville Recreation Center; Tuscaloosa County – Coleman Coliseum; Walker County – Parklands Shopping Center, Jasper
- Call 2-1-1 to locate a local food pantry or other emergency assistance
Federal disaster assistance
- Apply for FEMA Assistance: DisasterAssistance.gov
- Apply for farm disaster assistance from the Farm Service Agency
- Fax FEMA applications for free from all Birmingham Public Libraries and Tuscaloosa Public Libraries
- Federal disaster loans for small businesses and non-profits
- Find FEMA Emergency Recovery Centers
General precautions
- Avoid closed roads – Alabama Department of Transporation
- Food and water safety – Alabama Cooperative Extension
- Get a tetanus shot (some volunteering opportunities require documentation)
- Identity theft warning from the Alabama Attorney General’s office (PDF)
- Preventing illness after disaster – CDC
- Use appropriate cleanup precautions – Alabama Cooperative Extension
General information hotlines
- United Way helpline: 2-1-1
- Crisis counseling help line: 205-323-7777
- Spanish speakers can contact the HICA helpline at 1-866-502-4422. La Casita also offers help for those in the Birmingham area: 205-987-4771
- Families with special needs children can find assistance at Family Voices of Alabama
- Parents of UA students can call the Emergency Call Center at 1-205-348-1001, toll-free 877-408-1001
- Safe senior centers: 1-800-Ageline
- United Methodist Committee on Relief: 1-855-862-8657
Housing
- Find an emergency shelter
- Temporary housing from FEMA
- Find affordable housing in the Tuscaloosa area: http://classitides.com/
- Landlords: list your vacant properties at HUD’s National Housing Locater System to assist in finding emergency housing
- Safe senior centers: 1-800-Ageline
Laundry
- Anniston: Washin’ Coin Laundry is offering laundry pick up services for victims of the Pell City storms – contact tlynch3777@gmail.com
- Calhoun County emergency laundry network: contact Tina Right Horn, 256-239-5206
Legal aid and insurance claims assistance
- University of Alabama Law School: free legal aid at Leland Shopping Center(Alberta City),SOMA Church (Holt), Belk Activity Center (Bowers Park)
Lost and found
- Help return lost and found items
- Lost pets hotline: 205-397-8534
Medical assistance
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Emergency claims information
- Emergency dialysis: call the NRAA emergency hotline, 888-335-4363
- Epilepsy medication: contact David Toenes, Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama, 1-800-626-1582
- Eye clinic: Saturday, May 14, Ider Baptist Church
- Lost dentures or partials: Dr. Alan D. Yount (Auburn), North 43 Dental (Northport)
- Medicaid emergency refills: pharmacists can contact Health Information Designs, 1-800-748-0130
- Medicaid lost card: patients can call 1-800-362-1504; providers can call 1-800-727-7848 or login to the Medicaid Web Portal to confirm eligibility.
Mental Health
- Counseling and mental health services from the Alabama Department of Mental Health
- Crisis counseling help line: 205-323-7777
- Free counseling service from Robin Bridges: 256-236-8003
- Gadsden: free counseling from the Family Success Center
- JBS Mental Health Authority crisis counseling: 205-595-4555
- Jefferson County: Child counseling, 1-888-430-7423
- Oasis Counseling Center (Birmingham): 205-933-0338
- Post-traumatic stress management: Alabama Cooperative Extension Disaster Education Network
- UAB Community Couseling Center: $5/session, 205-996-2414
- UAB Psychiatric social worker referrals: 1-800-UAB-8816
Pets and wild animals
- To foster a pet, email tornadopetsofAL@yahoo.com with the subject line “Will foster”
- Help for our Furry Friends
- Pro-bono vet services from Dr. James Canant in Tuscaloosa
- Return lost and found pets: Lost Pets Hotline: 205-397-8534, Animals Lost and Found in Alabama Tornadoes, Facebook Lost and Found Group, Birmingham Humane Society, Elmore County Humane Society, Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter, Humane Society of West Alabama
Resources for churches
- Episcopal Tornado Relief updates
- North Alabama Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church USA updates
- Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Training
- Tips for churches on planning for both short- and long-term disaster responses
- United Methodist Committee on Relief – Spring Storms 2011
Transportation
- Need a bike? Contact VeloCity Pro Cycle in Tuscaloosa
Thanks to the Magic City Post, Birmingham Bargain Mom, Legislative Barbie, Tuscaloosa Newsand friends on Facebook and Twitter for sharing great information. Toomer’s For Tuscaloosa is another great resource, along with the numerous Facebook and news pages listed under “Updated lists.” Please let us know if you have more suggestions or know of immediate needs.
Posted by Robyn Hyden