Friday, May 6, 2011

United Way of NWAL NEWS
Serving Colbert, Franklin, and Lauderdale Counties
And Lending a Helping Hand in Marion County Tornado Disaster Relief

NW Alabama Tornado Relief Information (Updated May 23, 2011 AT 2 P.M.)

VOLUNTEERS:

To Register
1.) Call 2-1-1 to register
2.) Visit www.nwalvoad.com
3.) Visit our VRC (Volunteer Reception Center)

In Marion County:
Field of Tents
Corner of Culpeppers & Hwy 172 in Hackleburg
Monday-Saturday 8 AM-5 PM

ALL individuals wishing to volunteer should report here to sign up and find out about volunteer needs available, and some volunteers will be placed immediately. Depending on your skill set, your information may be taken, and you could be contacted once a volunteer need becomes available.

ASSISTANCE:
Phil Campbell/East Franklin County - Anyone seeking assistance needs to first register with FEMA. They are located at the Ralph C. Bishop Center, located at 201 Ash Avenue, Russellville, AL.The Center will be open Monday – Saturday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Anyone needing additional can received information regarding VOAD there.

Hackleburg - Anyone seeking assistance needs to first register with FEMA. NWAL VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) has set up at Corner of Culpeppers and Hwy 172 in Hackleburg. The Center will be open Monday – Saturday Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Anyone needing assistance can visit the VOAD table here.

FEDERAL FOOD ASSISTANCE

USDA Approves Disaster Food Assistance for Lauderdale County Tornado Victims

The Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) has scheduled Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (D-SNAP) to be operated May 24-28 in 22 additional Alabama counties. Individual county schedules vary and are listed at the end of this release. D-SNAP is designed to provide disaster food benefits to people who might not ordinarily qualify for the Food Assistance Program. Current food assistance recipients may not apply for benefits at the D-SNAP location.

To qualify for the benefits, residents must apply in person or have an authorized representative apply for them. Applicants must have disaster damage to their homes, loss of food, expenses related to protecting their homes, or lost income as a result of the disaster and meet income limits composed of net household income plus available liquid resources (cash or money in the bank). Individuals who submit incorrect information to get benefits fraudulently will have to repay any benefits received and may be disqualified from the food assistance program, fined, or imprisoned.

Individuals and families applying for the -DSNAP must submit some form of identification, such as a photo I.D. or documents that contain your name and/or address to verify identity and residence in the disaster-designated county. However, if a person does not have identifying documents due to storm damage, they can bring someone to verify their identity.

Individuals/families that qualify will receive a one-time benefit based on household size. After completing the application, qualified individuals and families will be issued an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Benefits can be accessed using the EBT card after they are posted to the account. Benefits will be available within four (4) days after the application is filed.

All states operate the food assistance program and D-SNAP according to regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.

Colbert County DHR will be accepting applications May 24-25 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Northwest Shoals Community College Gym, 800 George Wallace Blvd. in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Lauderdale County DHR will be accepting applications May 26-28 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at Faith Church, 3601 Florence Blvd. in Florence, Alabama.

DONATIONS (MONETARY):
Tax deductible monetary donations can be made to United Way of Northwest Alabama from now through August 29 with 100% of donated money going directly to Northwest Alabama tornado relief efforts. You can send your gift to PO Box 1228, Florence, AL 35631. Please designate your gift for relief efforts. You can also give by visiting www.uwnwal.org and clicking Give Now to give via PayPal. Indicate in Special Instructions that your gift is for Disaster Relief. A 3.5% fee is taken off your contribution for processing fees by Paypal, however, the remainder of your contribution will go directly to Tornado Relief Efforts. You can also give to American Red Cross of NW AL or The Salvation Army, Shoals. If you want your donation to go to Marion county, please designate it for that area.

FEMA DISASTER REGISTRATION:
For those affected by the tornado that may be eligible for FEMA assistance, FEMA officials will be set up at the Ralph Bishop Center Community Center 201 Ash Avenue in Russellville, AL from 7 AM-7 PM Monday - Saturday. Also, if you are affected and have phone or internet connection, you can register for FEMA assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov or at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

FEMA sends letters to explain where you are in the process. It is important that you read the entire letter to find out what your next steps should be. Even if your letter says you are ineligible, it will provide you steps on how to resolve your ineligibility status. For assistance, call 800-621-FEMA or visit a disaster recovery center. Receiving a letter of determination from FEMA isn’t the end of the line.

FEMA’s helpline & disaster recovery centers are geared to answer questions and provide as much information as possible to you. But in order for the process to work, you need to:

o Make sure FEMA has a good contact number where you can be reached
o If you receive a disaster loan application from SBA, complete & return it
o Keep your appointment with FEMA inspectors

Hackleburg- Same as above EXCEPT you can go to the Old Indies House Plant at 8741 State Hwy 172 in Hackleburg.

FOOD/WATER/OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION:

In Phil Campbell:
East Franklin Jr High School
1815 Hwy 89
Phil Campbell, AL 35581

Phil Campbell Community Center
132 Sherry Bryce Drive
Phil Campbell, AL 35581

FREE MEALS & FOOD

Sundays 12:45 p.m.
Shephard's Table
First United Methodist Church
104 E. Third St.
Tuscumbia (across from the Court House)
256-383-2853

Tuesdays 6:00 p.m.
Second Harvest
First Presbyterian Church
130 E. Fifth St.
Sheffield (across from Park Place)
256-383-1717

Thursdays 6:00 p.m. The Feeding Center
Abundant Grace Church
1109 E. 32nd St.
Sheffield (behind Hillcrest Motel)
256-389-3850

Fridays & Saturdays at Noon
Shoals Community Soup Kitchen
First Presbyterian Church
224 E. Mobile
Florence (next to the Post Office)
256-764-2081

Saturdays 10:00 a.m.
Hungry Hearts
First United Methodist Church
1500 Avalon Ave
Muscle Shoals (next to the middle school)
256-383-0191

Last Saturday of each Month 6:00 p.m.
Beans & Rice Ministry
Grace Episcopal Church
103 Darby
Sheffield (across from Oakwood Cemetery)
256-383-2014
Uncooked Beans & Rice are given

MISSING PERSONS/SURVIVOR REGISTRATION:

If you have access to the internet you can go to safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php.

DEBRIS REMOVAL:
Local contractors who are willing to provide free debris removal should contact The Shoals Family Success Center at 256-765-0033 and leave a message at extension 2010 or The United Way at 256-764-5892.

LEGAL SERVICES:
To apply for free Civil Legal Help:
Call 1-866-456-4995 call center is open 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Legal Services Florence Office is located at 102 S. Court St. Ste 404
Apply online
www.AlabamaLegalHelp.org



AMERICAN RED CROSS ASSISTANCE LINE:
Call 1-800-REDCROSS for disaster victims to notify Red Cross as to what their needs are and a client caseworker will assess your needs.

EYECARE
TOMSIK EYECARE
Dr. Moore and Dr. Warner
256-767-5000
318 E. TN St. Florence
Offering up to two free eye exams a day.
Free Basic Lenses
Selection of Free Frames
You must have your FEMA Paperwork to be eligible
Call to schedule as they are only taking two appointments per Day

For people who lost their eyeglasses in the storms, WalMart has vouchers available for a free eye exam and a new pair of glasses. The vouchers are at Franklin County Health Department and can only be used in Russellville. Vouchers must be used by the end of May.

HELP FOR PETS
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) has an overabundance of donated pet food and supplies and needs the help local churches and community organizations across the state assisting tornado victims.

Any church or community organization assisting local pet owners recovering from the April 27th storms are urged to contact Jerett New, GBHS Director of Operations, at 205-451-7459. He can arrange large or small shipments of pet food and supplies for pick-up at our warehouses or delivery to your location. We have both palletized and non-palletized donations available for large and small dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, and most other small pets.

Pet Food and Supplies Available for Distribution to Tornado Victims

Used Blankets
Used (some new) Towels
Large and Small Pet Beds
Leashes
Large, Medium and Small Collars
Food and Water Bowls (all sizes)
Wire Crates
Pet Carriers
Dog Toys
Cats Toys
Cat Treats
Cat Litter

Bags of Dog Food
Bags of Puppy Food
Bags of Cat Food
Bags of Kitten Food
Canned Dog Food
Canned Cat Food
Cat Litter Pans
Dog Treats
Rabbit Food
Rabbit Hay
Gerbil, Hamster, and Small Pet Supplies


THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT, PRAYERS, THOUGHTS, & LOVE!








Tuesday, May 3, 2011

United Way of NWAL NEWS
Serving Colbert, Franklin, and Lauderdale Counties
And Lending a Helping Hand in Marion County Tornado Disaster Relief

NW Alabama Tornado Relief Information (Updated May 3, 2011 AT 2 P.M.)

VOLUNTEERS:

To Register
1.) Call 2-1-1 to register
2.) Visit www.nwalvoad.com
3.) Visit one of our VRC (Volunteer Reception Centers)
In Colbert County: Colbert County Board of Education
(This is for Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale counties)
1101 Hwy 72E Tuscumbia, AL 35674
Monday, May 2-Saturday, May 7, 9 AM-5 PM

In Marion County: Hamilton Recreation Center
372 7th Avenue SW Hamilton, AL 35770
Monday, May 2-Friday, May 6, 8 AM-5 PM

ALL individuals wishing to volunteer should report here to sign up and find out about volunteer needs available, and some volunteers will be placed immediately. Depending on your skill set, your information may be taken, and you could be contacted once a volunteer need becomes available.

ASSISTANCE:
NWAL VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) has set up at the Ralph C. Bishop Center, located at 201 Ash Avenue, Russellville, AL . The Center will be open Tuesday, May 3 – Saturday, May 6 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Anyone needing assistance can visit the VOAD table here.

DONATIONS (MONETARY):
Tax deductible monetary donations can be made to United Way of Northwest Alabama from now through August 29 with 100% of donated money going directly to Northwest Alabama tornado relief efforts. You can send your gift to PO Box 1228, Florence, AL 35631. Please designate your gift for relief efforts. You can also give by visiting www.uwnwal.org and clicking Give Now to give via PayPal. Indicate in Special Instructions that your gift is for Disaster Relief. A 3.5% fee is taken off your contribution for processing fees by Paypal, however, the remainder of your contribution will go directly to Tornado Relief Efforts. You can also give to American Red Cross of NW AL or The Salvation Army, Shoals .

FEMA DISASTER REGISTRATION:
For those affected by the tornado that may be eligible for FEMA assistance, FEMA officials will be set up at the Ralph Bishop Center Community Center 201 Ash Avenue in Russellville, AL from 7 AM-7 PM each day this week. Also, if you are affected and have phone or internet connection, you can register for FEMA assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov or at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

MISSING PERSONS/SURVIVOR REGISTRATION:
If you have access to the internet you can go to safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php.

HELP FROM OUTSIDE NORTHWEST ALABAMA:
While offers of help are greatly appreciated from all who have reached out to the NW Alabama community, local law enforcement is asking for individuals from outside Northwest Alabama to not come to the area for approximately 72 hours due to road conditions. For more information, please contact 2-1-1

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS SUPPORT, PRAYERS, THOUGHTS, & LOVE!