Almost immediately after storms and a tornado hit the area late Sunday, local residents started looking for ways to help each other.

NOOGAtoday got emails and social media messages from people who wanted to provide support; Nashville organizations — whose leaders just went through their own devastating tornadoes — reached out to Chattanooga, and local officials said they knew Chattanoogans wanted to start rebuilding, but reminded everyone that authorities needed to get through the initial response and rescue phase first.

Now, local officials have moved into the stage in which they can use volunteers, and here’s what you need to know if you want to help.

To volunteer

○ City cleaning coordination efforts started today at the Hamilton Family YMCA located at 7430 Shallowford Road.

○ To volunteer, complete this form, and city officials will get in contact with more information.

○ To organize bigger volunteer groups, email Brooke Satterfield at cha.city.volunteer@gmail.com.

To donate items

○ The city started accepting donations Wednesday at the Hamilton Family YMCA, which will continue to serve as a drop-off/pick-up location.

○ Items needed for donation:

– Non-perishable food items

– Blankets

– Personal hygiene items, like shampoo, deodorant, feminine prod

– Baby items, like diapers, wipes, formula

– Cleaning supplies

– Tarps

– Unused packing boxes and materials

– Plastic storage containers

– Used items such as used clothes, used toys, used books, etc. will not be accepted.

○ Information about drop off and pick up times is TBA. Check for updates on the city’s Facebook page.

○ School board member Tucker McClendon is collecting donations Thursday and Friday at CSLA from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Needs include cleaning supplies, trash bags, storage bins, snacks and non-perishable food items. People in that area who have been affected by the tornados can come at those times to get supplies.

To donate funds

○ To ensure effective, reliable support, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga has partnered with the United Way of Chattanooga to launch the Tornado Relief Fund, which will go to nonprofits that provide vital immediate + long-term services.

○ Grants will be given to local organizations after evaluation from a community task force that the United Way will lead, along with input from officials. The goal is to understand the most pressing needs on the ground.

Other options

○ Calvary Chapel Chattanooga is teaming up with Samaritan’s Purse to provide support. You can sign up here.

○ McKamey Animal Center is looking for people to sponsor a kennel or cat condo for $2,020. That gift provides food, care, and medical to a homeless animal living in your sponsored kennel or condo for the remainder of 2020. For more info, click here.

○ Check out our previous article that has other ways to help, such as giving blood.

○ If you would like to support relief efforts through the Salvation Army, visit this link to donate.