skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Jury hears Trump and Cohen Discussing Hush-Money Deal on secret recording; Nature-based solutions help solve Mississippi River Delta problems; Public lands groups cheer the expansion of two CA national monuments; 'Art Against the Odds' shines a light on artists in the WI justice system.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

President Biden defends dissent but says "order must prevail" on campus, former President Trump won't commit to accepting the 2024 election results and Nebraska lawmakers circumvent a ballot measure repealing private school vouchers.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Bidding begins soon for Wyoming's elk antlers, Southeastern states gained population in the past year, small rural energy projects are losing out to bigger proposals, and a rural arts cooperative is filling the gap for schools in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Disaster Relief: Donate Wisely to Joplin Survivors

play audio
Play

Tuesday, May 31, 2011   

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - While the work continues in Joplin to identify the victims of last week's tornado, relief agencies are busy helping survivors, while managing the tremendous outpouring of public support.

Ellen Feldhausen with Harvesters, The Community Food Network, says the overwhelming amount of donations is creating problems that can take away from the mission at hand. The food bank communications director says trained volunteers often have to stop what they're doing to sort, organize and process unsolicited donations.

Feldhausen advises prospective donors to first contact recognized organizations to learn exactly what is needed.

"Please help - we understand how much people want to do that - but help through the authorized agencies. To make donations, people should call and find out what victims need, through agencies such as Harvesters, the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army. That way they'll make sure their donation or effort really counts and is something that is useful."

Feldhausen says Harvesters has joined forces with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Missouri Food Bank Association to better manage the public support for Joplin tornado survivors. She points out that the spirit of giving doesn't have to happen all at once to make a difference.

In fact, she describes disaster relief as a marathon, not a sprint.

"People in that area are going to need our support in many, many ways for a very long time. Of course, right now we're seeing the horrendous pictures and hearing the stories, and our instinct is to want to go do something right now."

Feldhausen says cash is the best donation because it provides relief organizations the most flexibility to get exactly what is needed. In most areas of Missouri, the easiest way to volunteer time or make a donation is to call 211, she adds.

Harvesters helps with disaster relief nationwide, through Feeding America.







get more stories like this via email

more stories
Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument's new Molok Loyuk region provides habitat for tule elk, mountain lions, bears, bald eagles and golden eagles. (Hispanic Access Foundation)

Environment

play sound

Conservation groups, tribes and community organizers are praising President Joe Biden's decision Thursday to expand two national monuments in …


Social Issues

play sound

Pennsylvania is among the states where massive protests and tent encampments opposing the war in Gaza are growing. Elez Beresin-Scher, a sociology …

Health and Wellness

play sound

Studies show suicide is a serious public health problem, claiming more than 48,000 lives each year in the nation. A new initiative from the Zero …


An installation view of the exhibition Art Against the Odds, is shown at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of Kate Mothes)

Social Issues

play sound

By Kate Mothes for Arts Midwest.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Arts Midwest-Public News Service Collab…

Environment

play sound

A new film documents the 2018 battle between Colorado environmentalists and the oil and gas industry over proposed fracking regulations. The film …

Among adults in Arkansas, 32.6% report symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder, almost identical to the national average. (Halfpoint/AdobeStock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

As Children's Mental Health Awareness Week kicks off in Arkansas, an expert said parents can help their children have a healthy brain to thrive…

Environment

play sound

As part of an effort to restore the Mississippi River delta, an organization is collaborating with nature to address environmental challenges…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Toughing it out during spring allergy season is not in your best interest if you want to avoid asthma later in life. New Mexico has plenty of grass …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021