How To Help Joplin Residents Devastated By Deadly Tornado

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- If you want to help storm victims in the Joplin, Missouri area there are several ways to provide aid.

If you donate to the Red Cross, you can designate where you want the money to go. Make your check payable to: American Red Cross-Tulsa Area Chapter.  Donations may be sent to:

American Red Cross-Tulsa Area Chapter
Dept. 995
Tulsa, OK 74182

To make a secure, online donation, visit www.Oklahomaredcross.org and click on the "donate" tab.

For text donations, text RED CROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to Disaster Relief. People are not able to designate a specific disaster, but the funds will go to help people who have been affected by disaster. The charge will show up on their phone bills, and standard texting/data rates apply.

The Red Cross doesn't accept donations of goods – the logistics and expense of warehousing, then shipping, make it cost prohibitive.

Food Pyramid stores in Oklahoma are partnering with American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter to accept donations for relief in Joplin through the end of June.

Customers who wish to participate may have $1, $3 or $5 added to their total at checkout.

The money raised from this program will be given to American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter, specifically designated relief in Joplin.

Calvary Baptist Church in Inola is partnering with First Baptist Church in Joplin.  The Inola church will accept donations and then will send a crew with the youth ministry to Joplin.  The crew will help with cleanup and distribution of supplies.

In Tulsa, First Baptist Church at 5th and Detroit is also organizing a relief drive starting Tuesday morning. The church says specific items are needed. The list includes…

• Bottled water (16-20oz)
• Snacks: trail mix, nuts, etc. (in packages)
• Fruit: oranges are the best (they are tough and have a peel)
• Handiwipes in travel-size packs (fit in a back pocket; can be used by workers and victims to remove dirt and bacteria)

Drop off those items by pulling through to the end of the circle drive on Detroit between 4th and 5th.

Someone will be there to assist in unloading the supplies.

Rhema Bible Church in Broken Arrow is working with Southwest Missouri congregations to distribute much needed survival type items: 

• Cases of bottled water
• Cases of protein bars
• Cases of granola bars
• Cases of pop-tarts

Rhema has a semi trailer parked at 1025 W. Kenosha in Broken Arrow between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.  through Friday, June 3, 2011.  If you would rather give a financial gift, visit www.rhema.org/joplinrelief.

Grigsby's is collecting donations to take to Joplin & Piedmont. The first truckload went last Friday to Joplin.

This week, Grigsby's is continuing to collect items at its store at 4417 South Sheridan:

• Tuesday & Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday:  8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

You can bring items or make a cash donation to Grigsby's Relief Fund.

Check Grigsby's Facebook page for a list of items needed.

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