iVolunteer’s list of first responders already working there, how to help, and where to donate blood.

(CNN reports) Severe storms and deadly tornadoes ripped through six Southern states, destroying homes and buildings and killing at least 268 people in its path.  Alabama was the hardest-hit state with violent storms taking the lives of at least 180 people, according to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.  As organizations and first responders offer emergency relief, food and shelter, many people across the country are looking for ways to help storm victims.  Here’s the organizations we found are already helping on the ground.   The best way to help them is to DONATE to their efforts.  There is also an immediate need for Blood Supply and Lost&Found item recovery. Read our list of the best ways to help:

The Salvation Army

How they are helping victims: Set up 10 mobile kitchens to provide hot meals to survivors in hard-hit areas like Tuscaloosa, Guntersville and Lauderdale in Alabama and Montpellier and Oxford, Mississippi.  Another 22 mobile kitchens are on standby. How to donate: Text “GIVE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation

Samaritan’s Purse

How they are helping victims: Deployed two of Disaster Relief Units, tractor-trailers fully stocked with emergency tools and supplies, to serve as command posts for staff and volunteers in the hardest hit areas. One unit is based at Garywood Assembly of God in Bessemer, about 12 miles southwest of Birmingham, and the other is located at First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa.  How to donate: Click here to make a donation directly to help their efforts

The American Red Cross

How they are helping victims: Dispatched  more than 30 emergency response vehicles  to provide food and to hand out clean-up and comfort kits;  Prepared to distribute up to 25,000 ready-to-eat meals to affected communities;  Operates a National Shelter System Google map where people can find information about shelters in their area.  How to donate: Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation or  click here to donate, give blood or volunteer.

Feeding America

How they are helping victims: mobilized a quick response team to get food and water into the hardest hit areas and is working with Alabama-based food banks to assess their immediate needs;  Disaster relief food items, including ready-to-eat meals and bottled water, are currently en route to Alabama for victims and relief workers.  How to donate: Click here to make a direct donation to help food banks provide meals to local communities affected by the tornadoes.

 

Other ways you can help:

GIVE BLOOD NOW: LifeSouth Community Blood Centers in Alabama has an emergency need for O negative type blood and platelet donations. The organization typically carries 3½ days worth of blood, but the storm almost completely depleted their supply. They are nearly out of O-negative (universal donor)  and are shipping emergency supplies from out of state.   To find a LifeSouth Community Blood Mobile to donate blood in the area, click here.  To donate blood from out of state areas, click here.

 

Volunteer: Hands On Birmingham is preparing to organize volunteer groups in Jefferson and Tuscaloosa to help in affected areas once the search and recovery efforts have concluded.  iVolunteer will keep you posted about when these efforts will be underway.

 

Virtual Lost & Found: A Facebook match-up page has popped up to reunite owners with tornado-strewn items, such as photos and documents.   If you are in the storm region, Please post pictures of any items that were found as debris after the 4/27/2011 tornadoes. Please leave a brief description of how someone can find you if they identify pictures or items that belong to them.  Visit the Facebook page to search for lost items or post pictures of things found.

 

Photo credit: Flickr/southerntabitha

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