Donation sites are slated for Joplin relief efforts

Southeast Missouri residents continue to collect donations for Joplin tornado victims even with a temporary postponement of donation shipments ordered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency Management Agency.

A spokesman from SEMA said Tuesday the agency is requesting a temporary postponement while officials work on maintaining a lease for a warehouse space to store donations.

The Southeast Missouri Food Bank sent a truck Tuesday morning carrying 600 gallons of water and 5,000 ready-to-eat meals.

Executive director Karen Green said they will hold off on sending more trucks until they are cleared to do so by SEMA. For the time being, they will continue collecting items as the tornado victims will need ongoing support.

She said people can bring household cleaning products, bottled water and canned and packaged foods to their facility at 3920 Nash Road.

Smartstyle, inside the Cape Girardeau Walmart, is accepting donations to help company staff members whose homes and salon were destroyed. It is accepting new and slightly used clothing, household supplies, personal care items, baby formula, pet food and nonperishable food and drinks. Its store hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. It is offering a 10 percent discount on one regular-priced service or retail item with the donation of an item.

The lower level of the Elks Lodge in Jackson will serve as a drive-thru drop-off point for donations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Thursday. A spokesman for the Jackson Elks said they are asking for personal hygiene items, paper products and cleaning supplies.

CrossRoads Fellowship in Jackson will deliver a trailer with relief supplies to Jop-

lin. Individuals may drop off items from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

In Perryville, Mo. the police department and Ochs Trucking are hosting Stuff the Truck at the Ochs truck lot from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. The department will collect cash, canned food items, bottled water, cleaning supplies, plywood, tarps, sunscreen, baby supplies, blankets, gently used sleeping bags, flashlights and batteries. A drop-off location at Walmart in Perryville will also be collecting all week.

The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund is accepting funds for immediate recovery relief. To donate, call 1-800-733-2767 or mail donations to American Red Cross, 2430 Myra Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703.

To make a donation for long-term recovery efforts, visit the United Way of Southeast Missouri's website and click on "give" designating to Joplin Tornado Relief.

To make a $10 donation for the tornado victims through the Heart of Missouri United Way, text JOPLIN to 864833 or visit www.uwheartmo.org and click on the link.

rrolwing@semissourian.com

388-3654

Pertinent addresses:

3920 Nash Road, Cape Girardeau, MO

542 West Independence Street, Jackson, MO

2610 E. Malone Avenue, Miner, MO

US Highway 61, Perryville, MO

970 Woodlawn, Farmington, MO

141 Commercial Drive, Fredericktown, MO

2430 Myra Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO