Severe storm response: How to donate, volunteer after a disaster

MONTGOMERY – When severe weather or other disasters strike Alabama communities, it is common to see an outpouring of support from residents looking to donate time or money. One of the keys to a successful recovery is knowing how to make sure those efforts will have the greatest impact. As communities in the state recover from the March 16th storms and we enter a prime severe weather season in Alabama, here are a few guidelines for assisting effectively from the Governor’s Office of Volunteer Services.  

Donations and volunteers can be extremely helpful after a disaster, but donated goods and volunteers that are not specifically necessary can cause confusion and hurt relief efforts. Below are some donation and volunteer tips that apply to disaster relief efforts in Alabama, across the country and internationally.

Donations

The best way to help people affected by a disaster is by donating money to a recognized disaster relief organization. Monetary donations allow charitable organizations the flexibility to purchase items that are needed most. Cash donations entail no transportation costs and bypass the need for collecting and sorting donated goods. In addition, monetary donations may be tax deductible.

People who wish to donate goods should always contact the receiving relief organization to verify the need for those items and make necessary transportation arrangements. Food donations should be made to a local food bank that may distribute food to those affected.

The Alabama Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund is a “fund of last resort” for unmet needs of families and individuals working to recover from disasters in Alabama.

Volunteers

The best practice for those interested in volunteering is to get involved with a disaster relief organization before a disaster happens. It is also important not to self-deploy to a disaster zone. Local officials and volunteer organizations can give specific instructions about how to volunteer. Patience is key, because the need for volunteers is often greater during the recovery period.

Alabama Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster members serve communities hit by disasters for as long as necessary. Visit the website for a list of organizations involved in disaster response. To preregister as a volunteer to help with recovery from the recent storms, take the online Volunteer Survey.

The Governor’s Office of Volunteer Services works to increase an ethic of service and volunteerism in Alabama, strengthen the capacity of Alabama’s faith and community-based organizations and promote collaboration among individuals and organizations striving to meet some of the greatest needs in our state. For more information about disaster recovery efforts, visit servealabama.gov.

-30-