Volunteer to help Atlanta flood victims; ways to help

By Katie Leslie

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Ernestine Nelson’s home wasn’t damaged by the flood, but she knows what it’s like to receive help during a crisis. Her husband Allan died suddenly on Sept. 12, and Nelson’s friends and family swooped in to provide everything from food, money, and most importantly, love and support.

That’s why Nelson didn’t hesitate to drive to Hosea Feed The Hungry & Homeless Wednesday to donate supplies to flood victims and others in need. She learned about the donation drive while listening to Majic 107.5/97.5, among the Radio One stations that partnered with Hosea to organize a drive to gather food and supplies for flood victims.

“When I heard it on the radio, I knew I had to come here,” said Nelson, of Jonesboro. “So many people had been rallying around me, giving me their love, time, and food. I felt compelled to come; I have to give back.”

Nelson brought canned goods and supplies. Others drove in to the donation center on Donnelly Avenue with bottled water, clothing, and what money they could give.

Mid-day host Carol Blackmon, of Majic, said the station has received calls from people like Nelson wanting to know how they can give to the flood recovery.

“It’s innate for people to want to help, but they don’t always know how. This gives them that vehicle,” she said.

Atlanta’s charity organizations are mobilizing to assist those whose homes were swept away or have been damaged by one of the worst floods in Atlanta’s history. Several charity leaders said Wednesday that while the public acts quickly to volunteer after an emergency, it takes organizations days to assess victims’ needs. Further, having untrained volunteers assist in recovery efforts can sometimes hinder the success of those missions.

For that reason, many organizations, such as The Metro Atlanta Area Command of the Salvation Army, are asking people who want to help to make financial donations. Food banks, like Hosea or the Atlanta Community Food Bank, are calling for non-perishable foods or supplies. The United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta has asked people to call 2-1-1 to learn about ways to donate and volunteer opportunities in coming days and weeks.

And MUST Ministries is asking the public to volunteer in recovery missions to be organized over the next several months. MUST is working with Cobb Disaster Recovery, a volunteer conglomerate of faith-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses, local government and civic groups, to coordinate clean-up efforts.

Andy Peabody, director of programming for MUST, said the recovery will take years.

“While everybody wants to help right now... we hope they realize we will need their help for a very long time,” he said.

Elisabeth Omilami, executive director of HOSEA, hopes the outpouring of support continues long after the flood waters recede.

"These are calls we get everyday. The flood compounds that," she said. "Washington and Wall Street may be experiencing a turnaround in the recession, but the community is not."

How You Can HelpThe American Red Cross, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter

Greatest need: Monetary donations.

Where to donate: www.atlantaredcross.org

Atlanta Community Food Bank

Greatest need: non-perishable food donations

Where to donate: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., N.W.

Atlanta or visit www.acfb.org

Atlanta Community Tool Bank

Greatest need: new and gently used tools that will be provided to groups involved in clean-up efforts.

Where to donate: Call 404.880.0054 ext. 12 or e-mail cj@toolbank.org to discuss donation as ACTB cannot accept some items. ACTB requires appointments prior to drop-off. Visit www.atlanta.toolbank.org

Hosea Feed the Hungry & Homeless

Greatest need: non-perishable food and bottled water donations; monetary donations. Also accepting supplies and clothing.

Where to donate: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1035 Donnelly Ave., Atlanta, or online at www.hoseafeedthehungry.com

MUST Ministries

Greatest need: To be determined. MUST is working with community-based Cobb Disaster Recovery to oversee long-term clean-up efforts.

Where to donate: http://www.mustministries.org/http://www.mustministries.org/

The Salvation Army, Metro Atlanta Area Command

Greatest need: Monetary donations to be used to buy supplies and provide gift cards to families in need.

Where to donate: www.uss.salvationarmy.org/

The United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta

Greatest need: Monetary donations. Volunteer opportunities still to be determined once flood damage assessment is complete.

Contact: Call 2-1-1 to learn how to donate and ways to help. Also visit www.unitedwayatlanta.org/

Looking for a quick, free and easy way to help? The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa is donating one bottled water, capping out at 10,000 bottles, to the American Red Cross of Atlanta for every person who becomes a new fan on its Facebook page. The virtual drive ends Friday. Visit www.facebook.com/westinhiltonhead.