We at The Community Foundation like you have been taken aback and saddened at the recent tornado disasters throughout the country and the impact on local communities. For donors interested in supporting relief efforts, we continue to provide information on the nonprofits working in response to fill the ever-changing needs, both short- and long-tern.
Please contact your philanthropic advisor at 404-688-5525 if you have questions or would like to make a gift from your fund.
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Joplin, Mo. Tornado Diaster
On Sunday, May 29, a severe tornado struck Joplin, Missouri, Sunday killed at least 122 people, authorities said Tuesday, making it the deadliest single U.S. tornado since modern record-keeping began more than 60 years ago.
The American Red Cross is providing temporary housing and deploying essential aid, supplies and food to affected residents. Volunteers have also been deployed to assist with debris clearance in careful coordination with local emergency management’s search and rescue efforts. In addition, the Missouri Humane Society has deployed a team to assess needs, and the Red Cross is working with its partners to inform residents about a pet shelter established at Missouri Southern State University.
PBS recently published a list of organizations responding to the needs. See "Tornado Victims in Joplin: How to Help” for additional ways you can provide support.
Southeastern Tornado Disaster
On April 27, one of the worst tornado disasters in U.S. history hit six southeastern states claiming more than 300 lives and leaving hundreds homeless. The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center reported137 tornadoes around the region, including 66 in Alabama and 38 in Mississippi. In addition, officials say 10 tornadoes came through North Georgia, taking 15 lives.
According to David Aft, president of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, storms have ravaged and shut down entire communities destroying homes, businesses and schools. He and other funders know that significant financial support for the rebuilding process will be needed for some time to come.
Nonprofits responding in Georgia and throughout the Southeast:
Medshare– MedShare is partnering with the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments (AAVFD), the coordinating body within the state for fire services and emergency medical services, to ship much-needed medical supplies. The organization plans to ship the first tractor-trailer load in May and at least two additional trailers in June.
The Atlanta Community Food Bank – The Food Bank is reaching out to its 700 partner agencies to assess the needs of those affected. Currently the organization is working with North Point Church in Adairsville, North Bartow Community Services and Oothcalooga Baptist Church for food staging and distribution.
Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter – Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter, located in Rabun County, estimates it will assist 250 dogs and cats due to the disaster. The shelter has set up a database to reunite pets with their owners. The shelter will check for microchips, rabies and ID tags, as well as worm and inoculate all animals that come in.
St. Vincent de Paul Society – St. Vincent de Paul has volunteer groups, called Conferences, already in place to assist those who have experienced this devastation.
American Red Cross – Red Cross shelters are open in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas. More than 1,600 people sought refuge in 65 Red Cross shelters Wednesday night as the storms forced them from their homes.
The Community Foundation for Greater Birmingham - Emergency Relief Fund – The Community Foundation for Greater Birmingham is working with leaders of the community foundations serving the affected areas, especially community foundations in Tuscaloosa, Huntsville and Walker and Calhoun Counties.
The Salvation Army – In response, the Alabama-Louisiana-Mississippi (ALM) Division of The Salvation Army has mobilized a communications unit and 10 feeding units. Another 22 mobile feeding units including catering trucks, mobile kitchens and a 20,000 meal-per-day, full service field kitchen have been placed on standby. Units are providing food, beverage and spiritual support to storm victims in Tuscaloosa, Guntersville and Lauderdale County (Ala.) as well as Montpelier and Oxford (Miss.). Mobile units from the Kentucky-Tennessee Division (KTN) are serving victims in Chattanooga and Cleveland (Tenn.).