Disaster in the U.S.: Ways to Respond

Our hearts go out to the hundreds of thousands of people who have been affected by this Spring’s deadly tornadoes, storms and flooding that have affected central and the southern U.S. The 2011 U.S. tornado death toll has now reached 500, according to The Weather Channel.

At least 124 people are dead as a tornado devastated Joplin, Mo., followed by another deadly string of storms in central U.S., which killed at least 13 people in three states, according to news reports.

More than 1,500 volunteers helping police, firefighters and other first responders got to work on Monday, looking for survivors. Aid continues to roll into the area as 1,500 people are still missing, and 750 people have been treated for injuries – in just the Joplin area alone.

Victims and recovery workers are still working around the clock to help victims in Tuscaloosa from April’s storms, and flooding continues to destroy homes and lives in the Mississippi Valley.

Here is a list of organizations who are on the ground or planning to respond to the victims of these disasters. Consider spreading the word or donating to help maximize their efforts.

• Convoy of Hope: Text CONVOY to 50555 to donate $10 or donate online.

• World Vision: Text TORNADO to 20222 to give a $10 donation to the U.S. Disaster Response Fund for tornado survivors.

• Samaritan’s Purse: Text SP to 80888 to donate $10 to Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief efforts on the ground in Joplin.

• The Heart of Missouri United Way: You can go to their homepage to donate or call (573) 443-4523.

• The Salvation Army: They’re in need of volunteers and donations. Text “JOPLIN” to 80888 for a $10 gift.

• Community Blood Center of the Ozarks has a list of area blood drives is at www.cbco.org or call 1-800-280-5337.

• Several local organizations across Missouri are accepting donations. The list can be found in this Google Doc.

• CrossPoint Church in Nashville is preparing to send volunteers to Joplin on Sunday. They’re asking folks to pray, give or go. Details are here.

• Gleaning for the World (GFTW) has now shipped 54 tractor-trailer loads of emergency supplies to AL, TN, NC and TN to help storm and flood victims, with more planned. Donate online, text “GFTW” to 27138 to subscribe to text message updates, or follow @GFTW.

• First Response Team of America is headed into Joplin. Each relief effort costs approximately $70,000—and every dollar you donate goes toward supplies for relief, getting a team to the affected area or saving the life of someone in need.