Ways You Can Respond

April 29, 2011

After our morning meeting with our partner Volunteers of America (VOA), we have learned these things:

• We are still not allowed into the hardest hit areas to begin debris clean-up. We anticipate this work might be opened to us in the coming days.

• We are strategizing focused work in West Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Williams, and a site yet to be determined in North Alabama. We see committing ourselves long term to specific areas. Our thoughts at ALCBF are to narrow our focus on a few areas of devastation and to stay with these folks for the coming year or longer if desired. We believe we cannot help everyone, but we can do "something" and do it well.

• We will also try to coordinate the efforts of churches from outside of Alabama who would like to help us. We will be calling on ALCBF churches to consider helping us to stage these efforts.

• VOA will be working quickly to help us with on the ground details in Tuscaloosa and the Birmingham areas. We are moving deliberately to solidify our target areas for serving.

• We will also make sure that we respond to any call for help from one of our ALCBF churches. We are thankful that FBC Williams has called on us to help and that we could respond immediately.

• One of our churches, Woodland Forest Church of Tuscaloosa, can use the supplies (listed below) IMMEDIATELY in their community. If you would like to gather and transport supplies in the next day or two to Tuscaloosa, contact Terri Byrd (terri@alabamacbf.org, 205.835.8117). Terri is working with Mary An Wilson of WFBC to coordinate efforts. WFBC: 6701 Hargrove Rd East, Tuscaloosa, 35405

In the meantime, there ARE things you can be doing today and this weekend:

• Continue to pray for all those affected.

• Give to CBF to their Disaster Relief fund https://www.thefellowship.info/Give/Donate.aspx?fund=17005 or you may earmark your funds to ALCBF designated "disaster relief."

• Begin collecting supplies. We have heard of primary supplies needed in Williams and Tuscaloosa. See the lists below.

• The only area we have clearance for immediate work is in the Williams community (between Birmingham and Atlanta outside of Jacksonville). They will have a work day tomorrow (Saturday). If you can travel and bring your own supplies (chain saws, gasoline, gloves, water, etc.), please contact Mike Oliver ((256-435-9140 or 256-435-6420) or Mary (256-435-6421). The work will be coordinated through FBC Williams and you can meet there for instructions after calling them first.
  
  
• If your church is interested in special prayers or liturgy for this Sunday or in the weeks ahead, please visit our website. We have also heard of some churches taking up special offerings. We encourage you to send your offerings to CBF National Disaster Relief or ALCBF. Also on our website are resources for children and teens.

• Stay informed through our enewsletter or Facebook page of additional updates. We will let you know details each day as we continue to organize our efforts. We know this will be a long road of recovery and will need your help for days, weeks and months to come. Please continue to let us know if you learn of needs. Also, send us the email address of key church leaders that need to receive this information or ask them to subscribe to our newsletter. 

Tuscaloosa primarily needs:

diapers (all sizes) 

individual packets of wipes

baby food and formula (canned)

personal hygiene supplies (shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, tooth paste, combs, brushes, etc)  

feminine products

non-perishable, packaged food - ready to eat

Peanut butter and jelly and bread

bottled water - bottles and gallons

soap  

towels

individual hand sanitizer packets & "regular-size" hand sanitizer in pump or squirt bottles
mens, women, children's underwear in all sizes
shoes like crocs and tennis shoes
boxes to pack food in for delivery to families
band aids, anti-septic spray, and other simple first aid items  

bug repellent    

Williams primarily needs:

trash bags

clorox spray

batteries of all sizes

paper towels

baby wipes

baby and adult diapers

water - bottled and gallon jugs

work gloves

easy snack food - non-perishable and packaged

personal hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc)

instant formula

toilet paper

emergency candles

first aid items

hand sanitizer

tupperware bins large enough to hold belongings as they are found

sharpies

over the counter basic medicines for adults (tylenol, advil, etc)

gas for generators

oil and gas mixture for chain saws

Birmingham Needs:

We also have a partnership with M-Power Ministries who were already serving many of the people in the Pratt City and Pleasant Grove areas before the tornadoes hit. They have been collecting supplies and have a drop off location. Learn more at their enews and subscribe to stay informed. We will also be able to use the warehouse of Passport, Inc. for storing supplies and will have access to some tools.  

There is great power in Christian community. We are proud to serve with you.

Ronnie Brewer - ronnie@alabamacbf.org
256-509-8342
 
Terri Byrd - terri@alabamacbf.org
205.835.8117

Natalie Aho - natalie@alabamacbf.org