4 Ways to Help Memphis Flood and Storm Victims

**Update 5/17/2011**

Memphis City Beautiful has announced a cleanup weekend on May 21-22 for areas now dry but needing help after the flooding.

**Update 5/5/2011**

The mayor’s office has called on volunteers to help fill sandbags

at the Pyramid today and tomorrow from 9 am – 6 pm.

**Update 5/4/2011**

The Red Cross has opened a Memphis shelter.

Learn more about what they need, how to volunteer, and how to contact them.

Here are a few ways you can help people in the Memphis and Mid-South area who have been displaced by recent flooding:

1. Provide Needed Items

(**Update 5/10** Check with Hope’s website before donating since many of their necessary items are now provided. If you would still like to donate goods, consider contacting the Red Cross for more info on what their area shelters need.)

Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova has a shelter already filled to capacity, and they are in need of supplies. In particular they need infant care items.

The shelter staff has stressed that you only provide items that are on their list. The list is subject to change:

• • CLEAN towels and washcloths (new preferred)
  • Portable playpens
  • New socks for kids and adults
  • Disposable razors
  • Wal-Mart or Target gift cards
  • Individually packaged (NON-REFRIGERATED) snack foods (chips, peanut butter crackers, etc.)
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Bottled water
  • Gatorade
  • Combs
  • Brushes
  • Toothbrushes
  • Body wash/Soap
  • Deodorant (Men & Women)
  • General first-aid (band-aids, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc)
  • Diapers & Pull-Ups (all sizes)
  • Baby food
  • Baby bottles
  • Baby pacifiers
  • Baby Shampoo/Lotion/Wash
  • Baby bottle brushes
  • Baby formula (Carnation or Gerber “Good Start Gentle Plus”)
  • Pedialyte
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Adult Diapers (Lg/XL)
  • Ensure
  • Body Lotion
  • Sanitary Pads

You can bring the items to Hope Presbyterian at any time, and you can also donate online.

Cummings Street Missionary Baptist in Memphis also has a shelter open. Contact them directly for ways to help.

2. Volunteer at a Shelter

Shelters need people at all times, day and night, to handle supplies and donations, cover medical needs, keep track of who is in the shelter, provide 24-hour security, and more. Contact either of the shelters listed above to find out how you can help with those jobs and others.

Hope Presbyterian also has an online volunteer sign-up form.

3. Help the Animals

The Memphis ASPCA is accepting animals from flood victims who need a place to keep them safe. They will be in need of more volunteers in the coming days and weeks and will likely need supplies as well. Contact them for more information.

4. Stay Informed / Help Others Stay Informed

There will most likely be more shelters opening and other ways to help flood victims in the coming days. Keep updated through the Shelby County Office of Preparedness’ website, including info about new shelters.

The office’s 24-hour hotline is: (901) 324-8799

They also have an email/text option for receiving information.

Text questions to: (901) 290-7530 or email them to: staysafeshelby@gmail.com

You can also report flooding concerns to MLGW, if you believe the flooding could affect utilities: Call 901-544-MLGW (6549) or 901-820-7878 (Quick access codes 1-1-1 (English) or 3-1-1(Spanish)

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Do you know of any other ways to help? Tell us in the comments.