How you can help local storm victims

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Parts of our area were hit hard by severe storms Sunday evening. At least eight people were hurt, and thousands of people are without power now. Dozens of buildings were destroyed. 

If you know of any disaster relief efforts that are not included in this list, please email news@wsls.com.

How to help:

Amherst County Chamber of Commerce/Visitor Center

They are asking for paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, plastic cups/forks/spoons, Clorox wipes, and gift cards. If you'd like to donate, you can drop them off at 328 Richmond Highway, Suite A in Amherst. 

Bethany and Oakland United Methodist Church

The church will collect items in partnership with Gleaning for the World. Drop off any items (non-perishable food, bottled water, etc.) at the Kroger in Forest, Virginia from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday. 

Blue Ridge Community Church

The church will be the official collection site for God's Pit Crew. The following items will be collected on Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Blue Ridge New London Campus at 2361 New London Road in Forest: wrapped bars of soap, washcloths, wrapped snack crackers, deodorant and 12oz bottles of shampoo.

Gleaning for the World 
Gleaning will have a collection site at Sam's Club on Wards Road in Lynchburg from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday. 

A second collection site will be set up at the Kroger in Forest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Items typically requested (new and unused): Bottled water, Gatorade, baby supplies, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, blankets, batteries/flashlights. 

You can also make a monetary donation.

God's Pit Crew

God's Pit Crew is sending a team of volunteers to assist with storm recovery efforts. If you'd like to volunteer, stop by the warehouse.

The greatest need is monetary donations. Click here to give.

God's Pit Crew is also collecting items for "blessing buckets." Some of the most-needed items are bars of soap, individually wrapped snack crackers, 12-oz. thin bottles of shampoo, washcloths, and deodorant. 

These items can be dropped off at the lower dock of the God's Pit Crew Distribution Center at 145 Brentwood Drive in Danville. 

Lynchburg Humane Society

The shelter is without power and, as such, does not have a working phone line right now. The shelter is closed Monday but they are asking volunteers and fosters to come. The shelter requests volunteers to help with cleaning cages and walking dogs. There is a need for foster homes as well. 

The shelter needs flashlights, preferably headlamps, as well as batteries. As always, donations of pet food, pet beds, water, bowls, etc. are needed. You can drop these items off at the shelter if you would like to donate. 

Red Cross 

To give a monetary donation, click here and select either "your local Red Cross" or "disaster relief" from the drop-down menu.

Salvation Army 

Lynchburg's branch is accepting donations of individual-sized bottled drinks and non-perishable snack items for its canteens. You can drop them off at 2211 Park Avenue. For more information, you can also call 434-845-5939.

The shelter is open to those affected by the storms. 

Where help is not needed now:

Many people have volunteered to help with cleanup efforts in Lynchburg. Officials say that, while appreciated, they are not requesting volunteers at this time. There is still debris as well as fallen trees and power lines, so officials want to keep would-be volunteers safe. 

The Amherst County Sheriff's Office is also asking people to avoid the Elon area. While they are thankful the community has shown such generosity, the sheriff's office requests that people not bring donations at the moment. Extra traffic can hurt recovery efforts. 

If you need help:

Multiple shelters are open in the area. 

VCA Boonsboro Animal Hospital at 6097 Boonsboro Road in Lynchburg is offering up to two weeks of free food and boarding to the pets of those impacted by the storm. Contact hospital manager Dala Freitas at 434-384-7799 for more information.

The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance is offering office space for businesses impacted by the storms. The office has phones, printers, copiers, free WiFi, and coffee. Extra offices and a large conference space are available. Call 434-845-5966 to make arrangements for the use of their office space.