Still Many Ways to Help With Relief

 Friday evening’s storms have impacted thousands of people in the greater St. Louis region. Since the storms hit, the United Way team and our disaster response partner agencies have been responding to people in need.

Following are a few of the ways our community is working together to assist with storm recovery efforts:

• If you or someone you know needs help, please dial 2-1-1 or 800-427-4626 to be connected to resources. A trained specialist is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• The generosity of our community has been remarkable, and many of you have asked how you can help. At this time, the best way to help is through monetary donations. Remember to donate to a trusted and known organization that has a history of disaster response. Be particularly careful of sound-alike organizations. Trusted, local organizations include: United Way’s Storm Recovery Fund, The American Red Cross--St. Louis Chapter,    The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities to name just a few.
• Through the outpouring of help in our region, United Way will provide $100,000 to support the immediate needs of people impacted by the storms through the American Red Cross–St. Louis Chapter and The Salvation Army. An additional $100,000 is also being invested in immediate relief through       United Way 2-1-1, which will continue to work closely with other relief organizations.
• Long after the media attention has ended, the needs of those impacted by the storms will continue. Recovery will be a long process. To ensure both immediate and long-term needs are met, United Way will continue to provide leadership and staff support to the Long Term Recovery Committee, a regional team of non-profit and government agencies focused on long-term recovery.
• United Way’s Volunteer Center is helping people who want to volunteer find safe and effective ways to do so. In disaster situations, it is important volunteers are deployed to appropriate and safe projects. If you would like to volunteer as projects become available, sign up here.

Thank you for helping people through United Way.