How to help Alabama tornado survivors

Published On: 01.28.21 |

By: Alabama News Center Staff

How to help Alabama tornado survivors

Fultondale City Hall is among the locations collecting supplies for those affected by Monday night's deadly and destructive tornado. (Dennis Washington / Alabama NewsCenter)

People and organizations across north-central Alabama are stepping up to help survivors of the deadly tornado that raced across north Jefferson County Monday night. And now, some famous volunteers are heading to the area to help feed those who are helping others.

The tornado, rated an EF-3 by the National Weather Service, struck around 10:40 p.m. Monday, killing 14-year-old Elliot Hernandez, a freshman at Fultondale High School, and injuring 30 others. The twister left a 10-mile path of destruction from Fultondale to Center Point.

Volunteers quickly joined first responders to assist survivors with food, water, clothing and other necessities. Alabama Power crews also moved quickly to safely restore power to those who could take service. Volunteers with the Alabama Power Service Organization also are mobilizing to donate needed supplies.

Also on their way are The Soup Ladies, a nonprofit organization that provides fresh-cooked meals to first responders at times of disaster and other emergencies. Based in Seattle, the Soup Ladies are expected to arrive late Saturday and spend a week in the Fultondale area, feeding emergency workers and volunteers.

“This is a win-win for everybody,” said Don Lupo, operations manager for the City of Birmingham and a member of the FBI Birmingham Citizens Academy Alumni Association, which is hosting the Soup Ladies. He said the women not only will help free up volunteers, they also purchase all their groceries and supplies locally, helping the economy.

Supplies for survivors of Monday night’s tornado are collected at Fultondale City Hall. (Dennis Washington / Alabama NewsCenter)

Decatur Highway Church of Christ in Gardendale is among the locations collecting supplies for the survivors of Monday night’s deadly and destructive tornado in Fultondale and Center Point. (John McMath/Decatur Highway Church of Christ)

Here are several ways people affected by the tornado can get help, and how others can support those who need help:

For immediate needs:

For long-term assistance:

Locations accepting items for donation:

Fultondale City Hall – 1210 Walker Chapel Road, Fultondale, 35068. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Items needed: Paper products, blankets, work gloves, duct tape, flashlights and batteries, plastic totes with lids, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, manual can openers, hygiene items, bottled water, boxes, nonperishable canned goods, diapers, baby wipes and baby formula.
Fultondale First Baptist Church – 409 Main St., Fultondale, 35068. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items needed: Paper products, blankets, work gloves, duct tape, flashlights and batteries, plastic totes with lids, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, manual can openers, hygiene items, bottled water, boxes, nonperishable canned goods, diapers, baby wipes and baby formula.
Gardendale Civic Center – 857 Main St., Gardendale, 35071. Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Items needed: Hygiene products, diapers/wipes, Ensure, baby formula, cleaning supplies, pet food, trash bags, work gloves, tarps, Gatorade, protein bars, pillows and blankets, laundry detergent, plastic totes, water, socks, gallon-size zip-close bags, hand sanitizer, face masks.
Jefferson County Satellite Office – 2651 Center Point Parkway, Birmingham, 35215. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Items needed: Paper products, trash bags, gloves, nonperishable items, hygiene items.

Other locations around metro Birmingham where donations can be dropped off include: