Donations to United Way make a difference for people coming to our region for help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Your support made sure local emergency teams could travel to impacted areas and deliver aid, and will continue to help these displaced people in the future.
Thousands fleeing the aftermath of the storm have come to Memphis and the Mid-South. Local nonprofits need more resources to provide emergency aid, without losing sight of our area's everyday critical challenges.
In the days, weeks, months and possibly years to come, health and human service needs will extend beyond immediate rescue operations... needs your support of United Way helps provide.
If you wish to give to aid the immediate and long-term relief needs in our community created by the storms, and help people who have relocated to the Mid-South because of these disasters, we recommend you contribute to our local United Way of the Mid-South Katrina Fund.
You can mail a donation to:
United Way of the Mid-South
6775 Lenox Center Court, Suite 200
Memphis, TN 38115
Please be sure to write United Way of the Mid-South Katrina Fund in the memo section of the check to ensure it is directed correctly. Please do not send cash through the mail.
Nationally, United Way of America has created the United Way Hurricane Katrina Response Fund for helping people impacted by this disaster here, and in other communities across the country. (See our home page for a link to donate to this national fund).
Locally, gifts designated to United Way of the Mid-South's Community Safety Net impact area are directed to nonprofits preparing for emergency and disaster needs all year, and are helping storm survivors who have relocated to our area.
Dial 2-1-1
Dial 2-1-1 is Memphis and the Mid-South's one-call dialing service to gain information about health and human service programs in our community. Just as you would dial 9-1-1 for a life-or-death emergency, dialing 2-1-1 connects you with local health and human service information.
Dial 2-1-1 is a partnership between the United Way of the Mid-South and the Memphis Public Library System to connect people in need with available services. If you are in Shelby County, TN simply dial 2-1-1 on a land-line (not a cell) telephone. If outside Shelby County, call the Memphis Public Library's General Information Service at 901-415-2700 and ask to be "transferred to 2-1-1."
Dial 2-1-1's partner LINC (901-415-2700) is also taking calls from people looking for missing family or friends in the areas hit by Hurricane Katrina by taking CALLER NAME AND TELEPHONE NUMBER(S) and faxing them to The American Red Cross. The American Red Cross will call back as soon as possible and get more details to begin their investigation through their national search process.
Dial 2-1-1 is also assisting callers looking to volunteer with American Red Cross disaster assistance.
The American Red Cross, Mid-South Chapter
1400 Central Avenue, 901-726-1690
The Red Cross is is working with city, county government by providing sheltering sites. Currently the American Red Cross has 4 shelters open in Memphis and another 4 in Tunica housing people for over 90 days. The American Red Cross has provided $6 million in direct assistance and opened 6800 cases - each case representing an individual or family in need. The Red Cross has provided over 12,000 meals and snacks, and their staff of 24 people worked 16+ hour days for nearly two weeks in the early recovery efforts. The Salvation Army (see below) is partnering with the Red Cross to provide shelter needs. Volunteer recruitment efforts are underway through Volunteer Memphis (see below). The American Red Cross is a United Way partner agency.
The Salvation Army
696 Jackson Avenue, 901-543-8586
The Salvation Army is accepting housing referrals (that is, people who have availability to house victims at their homes) and working to provide shelter for the thousands of relocated people fleeing New Orleans and Southern Mississippi. Some reports cite that The Salvation Army is accepting calls regarding serving as a volunteer (see Volunteer Memphis below). The Salvation Army is a United Way partner agency.
The Food Bank
239 South Dudley, 901-527-0841
The Food Bank is accepting non perishable food items to help stock the food pantries of local nonprofits helping people who survived the storm and are now relocated to the Mid-South. The Food Bank partners with United Way during the Operation Feed food drive.
Associated Catholic Charities
Associated Catholic Charities is providing long-term shelter for families, with children being their top priority. Associated Catholic Charities is a United Way partner agency.
Volunteer Memphis is helping coordinate disaster relief volunteerism in Memphis. Volunteer Memphis is staffing a phone bank to refer volunteers to local agencies such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and several emergency shelters and aid centers. Everyone volunteering at these agencies will be referred through this call center (located near the Children's Museum in Memphis).
The staff at Volunteer Memphis has been working with Americorpos VISTA to ensure that phones are always manned. Volunteers have been directed to the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Memphis City Schools, The Health Department, EMA, area shelters and emergency warehouses. Over 5,000 phone calls have been processed at the volunteer phone bank at EMA. Over 1,500 e-mails and 750 phone calls at Volunteer Memphis have been addressed at the Volunteer Memphis home office.
Volunteer Memphis is a United Way partner agency.
Alpha Omega Veterans Services
The staff of Alpha Omega Veterans Services has served as volunteers at American Red Cross shelters, and one staff member has served as a clinical therapist two days a week. The organization is working with Partners For The Homeless to help enter data in the Homeless Management Information System. Alpha Omega Veterans Services is a United Way partner agency.
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is partnering with the American Cancer Society and the american Diabetes Association to jointly contribute $1 million to the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund. The American Heart Association is a United Way partner agency.
Binghampton Development Corporation
Binghampton Development Corporation is partnering with Service Over Self (SOS) to provide housing and food for nearly 100 people relocated by the catastrophe. Staff and volunteers are working to support the SOS effort by providing administrative and support activities. Binghampton Development Corporation has also purchased a 3-bedroom home in the area that will first be used for housing of people relocated to our area as a result of the storm. Binghampton Development Corporation is a United Way partner agency.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis has opened all of their locations FREE to the children of people fleeing the disaster who are ages 7 to 17. A parent or guardian must accompany the youth to one of the locations and present identification from Alabama, Mississippi, or Louisiana. Employees of the organizatiion have also donated money and supplies to the relief effort. Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis is a United Way partner agency.
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta staff have served as American Red Cross volunteers, and Club members conducted a food drive for a local church shelter operation. Victims from the storm ages 6-18 who were relocated to the area were invited to become Club members, with all membership fees waived. (Parents or guardians need to provide proper identification). Care boxes were prepared and delivered to local churches providing shelter and aid. Club members are also raising funds to assist the victims. Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Delta is a United Way partner agency.
Boy Scouts of America, Chickasaw Council
The Boy Scouts of America donated 100 cots to a hurricane relief shelter at Bellevue Baptist Church, and continues to use their volunteers and local Scouts to contribute to shelter efforts in the area. Each Cub Scout Pack, Boy Scout Troop and Venture Crew has been asked to adopt a shelter close to their chartering organization and provide Scouting programs to youth in those shelters over the next few months. Scouts have assembled hygeine kits, kids games and activity packages. In addition, Scouts have collected food for the Food Bank (see below) and helped serve food in shelters. Scouts have conducted family member searches for people in our area using the internet, worked as shelter clean-up crews and located school uniforms for displaced students. The Boy Scouts of America, Chickasaw Council is a United Way partner agency.
Boy Scouts of America, West Tennessee Area Council
Boy Scouts, West Tennessee Area Council is working with the Tennessee Emergency Management Administration, .coordinating food drives with RIFA in Jackson. The Council released 400 camp beds and mattresses for numerous shelters opening in its 20-county area. In addition, the Scouts are working with TEMA to collect, sort, invetory and store all of the donated goods for storm survivors in the Jackson, TN area. These goods will be sent to other EMA locations in 20 counties. The Boy Scouts West Tennessee Area Council is a United Way partner agency.
Children and Family Services
Children and Family Services is offering child care services to families who have relocated to Tipton County as a result of the storm at no charge. Children and Family Services is a United Way partner agency.
Collierville Literacy Council
Collierville Literacy Council is working with 10 churches to form "Collierville Cares" to provide aid and comfort to people fleeing the storm. Collierville Literacy Council is a United Way partner agency.
Comprehensive Counseling Network
Comprehensive Counseling Network is working with the Shelby County Mayor’s Office to help organize mental health efforts for people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Comprehensive Counseling Network is a United Way partner agency.
The Desoto Health & Wellness Center
The Desoto Health & Wellness Center is providing healthcare services to the residents of the gulf coast, writing new prescriptions and helping patients that have become ill in the aftermath of the storm. They are coordinating efforts with the American Red Cross at the Grand Casino and several other locations. These immunizations are also helping children meet requirements to attend local schools. The DeSoto Health & Wellness Center is a United Way partner agency.
DeSoto Sunrise
DeSoto Sunrise is using the DeSoto Sunrise Thrift Store in Southaven, MS to give away clothing, shoes and other items to anyone who has been relocated as a result of the gulf storm. The store had given away over $1,500 as of late September, and continues this work. The store has also used given use of many of its shelving and rack fixtures to help furnish a shelter located next door. DeSoto Sunrise is a United Way partner agency.
The Exchange Club Family Center
The Exchange Club Family Center will provide trauma counseling for children needing the service, even for children as young as two through 5 years old, using staff and interns under supervision. No fees will be charged to people relocated due to Hurricane Katrina. The Exchange Club Family Center is a United Way partner agency.
Family Services of the Mid-South
Family Services of the Mid-South is reminding the community to use their Crisis Center as the volunteers there are trained to deal with trauma and identify resources in our community. They are in the process of attempting to secure 100 senior level counseling students to begin conducting casework with hurricane survivors. Long term mental health counseling will be needed for many hurricane survivors. They are also attempting to identify opportunities for day care and day care employment. Family Services of the Mid-South is a United Way partner agency.
Fayette Cares
Fayette Cares has served as the central helping agency in Fayette County in the effort to coordinate services for people fleeing Hurricane Katrina. Fayette Cares is a United Way partner agency.
Frayser Community Development Corporation
Frayser Community Development Corporation is helping serve meals at sites in Frayser that are managed by Associated Catholic Charities (see above). Frayser Community Development Corporation is a United Way partner agency.
Friends For Life
Friends For Life is coordinating with the Memphis/Shelby County Health Department and other organizations to ensure HIV/AIDS patients from areas hit by the storm continue to receive medications and needed medical care. The organization has also hired a displaced Licensed Clinical Social Worker who worked with the New Orleans HIV/AIDS Task Force to help coordinate services to all persons with HIV/AIDS who are impacted by the hurricane. Friends For Life is a United Way partner agency.
First Regional Library
First Regional Library is making computers with internet access available for use in all 13 locations within its 5-county area. Wireless internet is available at 5 locations. People fleeing the storm are encouraged to use the service to help find loved ones, gain information and more. The library is issuing temporary cards to visitors, and staff are helping compile packets of information and provide referrals. In addition, the library has provided puppet shows and storytimes for children at some of the DeSoto County shelter locations, distributed 500 surplus T-shirts and delivered over 350 books and magazines for children and adults to Tunica and DeSoto county shelters. The library is working with area churches and recreation centers to assist in relief efforts. First Regional Library is a United Way partner agency.
Funds For Needy School Children of the Southern College of Optometry
The Funds For Needy School Children of the Southern College of Optometry is providing qualified persons with professional eye care services and basic eyeglasses at no charge. In addition, chronic and/or acute conditions are being treated as possible with samples of medications. The Funds for Needy School Children of the Southern College of Optometry is a United Way partner agency.
Girls Incorporated of Memphis
Girls Incorporated of Memphis is offering free after-school program services to girls ages 6-18 at five locations, Monday thru Friday from 2:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. (Parents need to provide proper identification upon registration.) Transportation is available if the participant is attending a school offerig the service. Girls Incorporated is also offering outreach services to shelters to provide programs, and is collecting personal hygeine items and food to support the "adoption" of a family new to the area as a result of the storm. Girls Incorporated of Memphis is a United Way partner agency.
Girl Scouts Council of the Mid-South
Girl Scout Council of the Mid-South has establihed "Project Undercover" to collect and distribute underwear, socks, t-shirts, diapers, etc. for the men, women and chilren being housed in shelters across the Mid-South. Girl Scout Council of the Mid-South is a United Way partner agency.
Hearts Desire Therapeutic Riding Center
The riding center is working with churches in the Senatobia, MS community to feed and provide clothes and recreation for people fleeing the storm. Many arrivals have requested to engage in recreation, and many wanted to ride horses available at the organization. The riding center is providing horses and supervision for rides. Hearts Desire Therapeutic Riding Center is a United Way partner agency.
Hope House Day Care
Hope House Day Care is working with the Dept. of Human Services for daycare needs of affected children, and has openings in the 4 and 5 year old area. They have donated baby care items to Associated Catholic Charities (see above). Hope House Day Care is a United Way partner agency.
Jewish Family Service
Jewish Family Service is helping coordinate relief efforts primarily, but not exclusively for Jewish refugees. Efforts take a "team approach" with the Jewish Community Center, the Memphis Jewish Home, the Hebrew Academy, Jewish Federation and Memphis' six Jewish congregations all working cooperatively to secure housing, furniture, food, clothing and job opportunities for people fleeing the devastation and relocating to Memphis. Jewish Family Service is a United Way partner agency.
The King's Daughters and Sons Home
The King's Daughters and Sons Home is assisting Bartlett United Methodist Church's work with people displaced by the storm with laundry service, and is identifying other areas where the organization can offer help. The King's Daughters and Sons Home is a United Way partner agency.
Mid-South ARC
Mid-South ARC will distribute surplus wheelchairs, walkers and canes in their inventory to families who have come from the gulf coast area with special needs. Mid-South ARC has created a "clearinghouse" in their offices to assist storm victims with family members with special needs requiring case managers, service coordinators or advocates. Mid-South ARC is a United Way partner agency.
Memphis Recovery Centers
Memphis Recovery Centers has notified the Department of Children's Services and the Tennessee Department of Health that they can provide room and board for two families or six individuals. They have reserved one passenger van for transportation to their facility. Memphis Recovery Centers is a United Way partner agency.
Memphis Urban League
Memphis Urban League Acting as a referral agency to direct evacuees to shelters, (particularly American Red Cross); meal sites; hygiene distribution sites; medical care, etc. The Urban League has prepared parenting workshops on understanding Tennessee school standards. These workshops will be conducted at the shelters or wherever needed. The Urban League has been distributing children's books and is continuing to conduct job counseling and referral services, collecting data on the people fleeing the storm. The League was also assisted local authorities in uncovering a fraud allegation which received media attention, helping dissuade criminal activity. Memphis Urban League is a United Way partner agency.
North Mississippi Kidney Foundation
North Mississippi Kidney Foundation Purchased special canned goods and delivered it to the Jackson, MS area to give to dialysis patients. In addition, the agency is providing dialysis for any patient that needs treatment there. The staff of the Foundation has served as volunteers at EMA and the Crisis Center's phone banks and at the Salvation Army, and worked with Memphis City Schools to register children new to our area. The Foundation is evaluating how many patients are in need of medication and is purchasing medicine and transportation to treatment. The North Mississippi Kidney Foundation is a United Way partner agency.
Porter-Leath Children’s Center
Porter-Leath Children's Center notified the Department of Children's Services that they have capacity to take some displaced children into their Sarah's Place Residential Facility. They have also contacted the state Corporation for National Service to seek approval to make Foster Grandparents available for child care services taking in displaced families. Porter-Leath’s team of Ameri-Corps volunteers (30) are helping child care services at St. Francis Hospital in Bartlett as needed. Porter-Leath Children's Center is a United Way partner agency.
Synergy Treatment Centers
Synergy Treatment Centers is providing manpower to move beds and clothes for Associated Catholic Charities to help reopen DeNeuville Heights as an emergency shelter for storm survivors. Synergy Treatment Centers is a United Way partner agency.
Sacred Heart Southern Missions
Sacred Heart Southern Missions social service offices in the Mississippi cities of Walls, Tunica, Hernando, Olive Branch, Holly Springs and Corinth are working with local groups to provide assistance. They have provided housing for 26 persons in one building in Walls, MS and are providing housing for several other families in scattered locations. Twenty children are now enrolled in their two elementary schools, and they anticipate enrolling more in the weeks to come. In addition, they are collecting non-perishable food, water, towels and linens, personal care items and other resources for the benefit of hurricane survivors. Sacred Heart Southern Missions is a United Way partner agency.
Senior Services
Senior Services is very involved at the Emergency Management Operations Center, many staff and volunteers working between 8 and 12 hours a day. They have assisted 4 shelters and provided donation sites for critical items. Senior Services has assisted with establishing a warehouse for storing donations and supplies, recruited volunteers and helped register people fleeing the storm at American Red Cross (see above) sites. Senior Services has provided water stations for people waiting in lines at the Department of Human Services and American Red Cross main offices, and is working with a faith-based task force to assist local churches that have opened shelter sites. Senior Services is a United Way partner agency.
Shelby Residential & Vocational Services, Inc. (SRVS)
Shelby Residential & Vocational Services, Inc. (SRVS) conducted an internal Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief resources drive. The staff collected bottled water, personal hygiene items other needs and delivered them to the American Red Cross. SRVS has also assisted a person from the gulf coast with special developmental needs, and is helping this new client and her mother. In September, SRVS held a Job Fair and extended invitations to people new to our area from the gulf coast. 40 people total found employment at that fair, nearly 10 were new to the area because of the storm. SRVS is a United Way partner agency.
Tipton County Commission On Aging
Tipton County Commission On Aging is focusing on helping people fleeing the storm who have relocated to Tipton County, providing a Relief Center with vital information about meals and transportation. They are sharing bedding items obtained through United Way's Gifts In Kind Program with local shelters. Tipton County Commission On Aging is a United Way partner agency.
United Cerebral Palsey (UCP)
United Cerebral Palsey is providing durable medical equipment, collecting clothes and working with UCP staff and families in Memphis from New Orleans and other southern cities. UCP provided t-shirts and toys to the shelter at Hope Presbyterian Church for distribution to families and is helping coordinate shipping of durable equipment through FedEx. United Cerebral Palsey is a United Way partner agency.
United Methodist Neighborhood Centers
United Methodist Neighborhood Centers is providing food, clothing, personal hygeine items, school supplies, household items and limited financial assistance to people who have relocated to our area as a result of the storms. The organization is also providing information referrals and job referrals, and is anticipating providing child care services as well. United Methodist Neighborhood Centers is also working with the Food Bank and area churches to provide services. United Methodist Neighborhood Centers is a United Way partner agency.
United Way of the Mid-South's Gifts-In-Kind Program
United Way of the Mid-South's Gifts-In-Kind Program is providing local nonprofits and churches to support the expanded service efforts to people who have relocated to the Mid-South as a result of the gulf coast storm. Wheelchairs, personal hygeine products, children's clothes, towels, blankets and other donated items have been distributed to local nonprofits, who in turn have used them to provide aid and comfort to storm victims. 20,000+ teddy bears and other stuffed animals from a Canadian radio station in Edmonton arrived in late September, and will be distributed to children who have come to Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi as a result of the storm. The regional Gifts-In-Kind warehouse is a United Way of the Mid-South program.
The Works, Inc.
The Works, Inc. has 1, 2 and 3 bedroom affordable rental units available in their Alpha Renaissance Apartments in South Memphis. The organization also has openings in its charter elementary school, Circles Of Success Learning Academy at no cost to qualified families here as a result of the gulf coast storm. The Works, Inc. is a United Way partner agency.
Given the results of this disaster, some displaced persons may find it necessary to secure short-term employment in the Memphis area. Here are the names and telephone numbers of some employment agencies in Memphis:
Manpower can be reached at 901-761-3232
Randstad can be reached at 901-274-8146
Adecco can be reached at 901-624-6619
Kelly can be reached at 901-683-2342
Please do not attempt to travel to the storm impacted areas to offer personal help and support unless you are a trained volunteer working for an emergency and disaster relief organization. You can accomplish more good by supporting and helping the organizations on this web page that are engaging in relief efforts here in our own community. Additionally, please contact the Emergency Operations Center before opening a non-sanctioned shelter operation.
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