It’s been a rough stretch for Columbus. After severe storms brought damaging winds, flooding and tornadoes to the region last week, neighborhoods across the city are still dealing with downed trees, damaged homes, power outages and plenty of cleanup. Mayor Andrew Ginther declared a state of emergency following the Aug. 11 storms, which brought 82 mph wind gusts to John Glenn Columbus International Airport and prompted one of the largest responses in the city’s history.
So, naturally, a lot of Columbus residents are asking the same question: How can I actually help?
The good news is that you don’t need to be a professional disaster responder to pitch in. There are several local organizations already doing the work, whether you have a few hours to volunteer, some money to donate or simply want to help make sure your neighbors have food and other essentials.
Volunteer With The Red Cross
The American Red Cross of Central & Southern Ohio is one of the most direct ways to get involved with disaster response, including its Disaster Action Team. Those volunteers help people who have been forced from their homes by fires, storms and other disasters.
There is a little more to it than grabbing a pair of work gloves and heading out, though. New Red Cross disaster volunteers have to complete an application, provide identification, pass a background check and complete required training before responding. The organization actually encourages people interested in disaster response to start the process before the next disaster happens.
That makes the Red Cross a particularly good option if the storms made you realize you’d like to be more prepared to help the next time something like this happens.
You can learn more and apply to volunteer with the Red Cross here.
Find A Volunteer Opportunity Through Besa
For something a little more immediate, Besa is a good place to start.
Besa connects Columbus-area volunteers with local nonprofits and currently hosts more than 70 volunteer experiences each month through more than 200 nonprofit partners. Its opportunities cover everything from food security and homelessness to environmental work, so you can find something that fits your schedule without having to email a dozen organizations asking where they need help.
The nice thing about this option is that you don’t have to figure out the logistics yourself. You can browse available opportunities and sign up for one that works for you.
Help Keep Columbus Fed
Storm recovery isn’t just about clearing branches and hauling debris. When people lose power, miss work or have damage to their homes, other everyday needs don’t exactly disappear.
The Mid-Ohio Food Collective is always looking for volunteers, with opportunities at its food bank, markets, farms and kitchens. MOFC says volunteers help with everything from sorting food to assisting shoppers, and the organization needs about 1,000 volunteers each week to keep things moving.
The City of Columbus also points residents toward Mid-Ohio Food Collective, local food pantries, United Way, Hunger Alliance, Local Matters, Gladden Community House and Besa for volunteer opportunities. The city says those opportunities can include sorting and distributing food and serving meals in the community.
You can sign up for a volunteer shift with Mid-Ohio Food Collective here.
Donate Money Instead Of Stuff
Sometimes the easiest way to help is also the least exciting: give money.
It can be tempting to clean out your pantry or closet and assume a disaster-relief organization needs whatever you have sitting around. But unsolicited household goods can actually create more work for organizations that are already stretched thin.
The Central Ohio Red Cross specifically says monetary contributions are the best way to provide immediate relief and notes that it cannot accept donations of household goods or clothing.
You can make a financial donation to the Red Cross here, or donate directly to Mid-Ohio Food Collective to help support food access for local families.
Have Food Or Personal Care Items To Donate?
The City of Columbus also has options for residents who would rather donate physical goods.
The city’s current food-response information recommends nonperishable, nutritious food, including canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, soup, pasta sauce, rice and beans. Personal-care items such as diapers, baby wipes, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and deodorant are also requested.
Columbus residents can drop off nonperishable food at the Alum Creek Waste & Reuse Center or Georgesville Waste & Reuse Center Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The city asks residents not to leave donations outside the gates after hours.
For larger donations or corporate collections, the city asks people to schedule a drop-off rather than simply showing up.
Before You Grab A Chainsaw, Read This
The urge to help is a good one. Please don’t turn that urge into an additional emergency.
Don’t enter flooded areas, approach downed power lines or try to clear electrical equipment yourself. Don’t remove large trees from roads unless you’re part of an organized response, and don’t show up at a damaged property expecting to start cleanup unless the homeowner or an organization coordinating the work has asked you to be there.
The same goes for storm-damaged buildings. Something that looks like a pile of debris can still contain unstable structures, live wires, broken glass or other hazards.
And Don’t Forget About The Weeks Ahead
The most visible part of a storm cleanup tends to happen quickly. The actual recovery takes much longer.
Trees need to be removed. Homes need repairs. People who missed work or lost belongings may need assistance. Families who were already struggling financially can suddenly have another pile of expenses to deal with. And local nonprofits will still be helping people long after the photos of downed trees disappear from everyone’s social feeds.
That’s why volunteering with an organization, donating to local food programs, or simply finding a regular way to give your time can be more useful than trying to solve everything in one weekend.
Stay safe and be kind to one another, Columbus. We’re all going through this together.
