Last year’s floods are still fresh in our minds, and after what seems like daily tornado sirens sounding the alarm this spring, yesterday’s disastrous tornadoes across the south hit close to home in more ways than one. Just a few hours south of Nashville our neighbors in Alabama are hurting pretty badly, and we know that a lot of people want to know how Nashville can help. Thankfully, there are some great people who have already done the heavy lifting for us, so check out the roundup of links below to find out how you can donate money, donate relief supplies or volunteer. We’ll update as more opportunities arise (and would love to add ways to help the areas in East Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi that were affected), so if you have anything to add (especially local opportunities) just leave us a comment, email us at tips@nashvillest.com or send us a tweet.
Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund: Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation, or donate online here (be sure to select “Disaster Relief For Countless Crises”).
Local Nashville Drop Points & Volunteer Efforts:
- Second Harvest Food Bank is packing disaster relief boxes here in Nashville for tornado affected areas. Volunteer to help pack! They also have a list of Alabama food banks that are accepting food donations.
- Conduit Church is packing a 2nd truck in the parking lot of the Cool Springs Wal-Mart from 9am-8pm 5/5 and 9am-2pm 5/6. The truck is headed to the Christian Service Mission in Birmingham, and here’s a list of things they need.
ALABAMA
AlabamaPossible.org has put together an exhaustive list of needs, donation drop points, monetary donation options, volunteer needs and points of contacts for Alabama. If you have food, clothing, medical supplies, time or anything else to donate, make this list your first stop.
Many of the items in the above list originated at MagicCityPost.com, who also has a great and slightly different list of resources for those who want to help Alabama. They list shelters and additional volunteer contacts.
We all remember how Hands On Nashville rallied the troops during last year’s flooding in Nashville. Hands on Birmingham is doing the same – If you’re willing and able to take a day trip down, check with them for volunteer opportunities.
Legislative Barbie has a very well organized list of donations needed in Alabama, broken down by county, as well as shelter information and a few volunteer opportunities.
AL.com has an overwhelming and constantly updated list of churches, schools, neighborhood groups and other organizations leading the way with disaster relief efforts across Alabama, also broken down by location. Many volunteer and donation opportunities here, too.
Birmingham’s Church of the Highlands has also set up a tornado relief page that they’re keeping updated with needs, collection points and volunteer opportunities.
EAST TENNESSEE
Keep an eye on the hashtag #CHAhelp on Twitter for a flow of constant needs.
The United Way of Greater Chattanooga has a list of Emergency Management Control Centers, shelters and a few donation drop points.
East Tennessee news stations WRCB TV and News Channel 9 have more information about Chattanooga-area disaster relief.
Photo by REUTERS/Marvin Gentry.