How You Can Get Involved in Storm Assistance

Update: 12 p.m., Tuesday, March 30

Birmingham Metro Command Centers:

• Indian Springs -- alsbdr1@alsbom.org; (334) 261-8620
• Huffman -- alsbdr4@alsbom.org; (334) 261-8616
• Bibb County -- alsbdr3@alsbom.org; (334) 261-8648

Samaritan’s Purse has their command center set up at FBC Pelham and is allowing volunteers to work with them this week. Anyone wanting to help with cleanup efforts can work a morning or afternoon shift. Those wanting to help in the mornings need to be at the FBC Pelham Annex at 7:30 am for training. Those who want to work the afternoon shift will need to be there at 12:30 pm for training. You can find more information at (205) 410-7311.

In Columbiana, for those that are uninsured, the Shelby Baptist Association is collecting furniture, clothing, and household items. Contact Keith Brown, the Ministry Center Director, or Rebekah Parr with the Shelby Association at (205) 669-7858

Update: 8 a.m., Saturday, March 27

The Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and Birmingham Metro Baptist Association have set up a volunteer center at Huffman Baptist Church. You can visit 700 Huffman Road, Birmingham, to assist needs in that area. Also, Oak Mountain High School is no longer accepting donations due to the response already received. Distribution of items is today until 5 p.m. Finally, to learn more about additional service opportunities, email missionalliving@shades.org.

Update: 6:15 p.m., Friday, March 26

Thank you for the way you are continuing to check in on people and see that everyone is doing well. Way to go Shades! 

Please scroll this page to catch earlier information. We are hearing of places beginning to open up and allowing people to removed debris and fallen trees. Many places will have insurance adjustors on site on Saturday to begin to provide immediate assistance. As we receive updates, we will continue to post on this site around 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. each day for the next several days.

• The Pelham Recreation Center has stopped taking donations until all current donations are distributed.
• Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church is still receiving some items as well as volunteers. Click here for more information.
• A group is being organized to do some larger debris removal for Saturday through FBC Pelham. If you're interested, email missionalliving@shades.org for more information.

Update: 12 p.m., Friday, March 26

Areas that were hit the hardest will have trained, skilled workers assessing and clearing the areas to make it safe for volunteers to come in and help in the days ahead. At this point, we are not aware of specific ways that our community can be served other than checking in on friends and family and collection of items to be distributed to those who have suffered loss. The following areas are collection points for items:

• Briarwood Christian School -- Info found here
• Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church -- Eagle Point volunteer & collection center
• Oak Mountain High School cafeteria -- See below for items and details on this distribution center

Shades...

With the effects of the storms we are seeking to care for our members and our community with immediate assistance. We continue to work with local groups and organizations in order to most effectively communicate needs and opportunities. Many places have some restrictions in place for now.

Please stay tuned here for information and updates.

For now here are some steps we can take:

1. Pray for safety and care of those affected.
2. Touch base with class members to discover needs and extend care and support. If you become aware of needs please contact the church office or email missionalliving@shades.org. 
3. Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church is serving as a staging area for donations and volunteers and for those needing assistance to Eagle Point.  
4. Also Oak Mountain High School will serve as a collection and distribution center for basic needs in that area Friday (March 26) and Saturday (March 27). Items can be dropped off and organized from 8 a.m. to noon on both days. Please drop off items at the OMHS cafeteria which is located near the backside of the school located closest to Oak Mountain Intermediate School. Items for those in need can be picked up from 1:00-5:00 p.m. on both days (Friday and Saturday) also in the OMHS cafeteria.

Here are the items accepted at Oak Mountain:

• Bottled water
• Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, shaving cream, toilet paper, razor, feminine products)
• Blankets in good condition
• Non-perishable food items (peanut butter or cheese crackers, nuts, granola bars, canned goods with pop tops like spaghetti, and mac & cheese, juices, jelly, dried fruit, trail mix, crackers, peanut butter, and bread)
• Towels
• Large totes/bags for carrying items
• General cleaning supplies
• Paper products (plates, disposable utensils, paper towels)
• Gift cards

Once the distribution window opens at 1:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 26th & 27th, those in need can go to Oak Mountain High School to pick up any necessary items, or someone can come pick things up for a person in need.