In times of disaster, many people naturally want to help out any way they can: with food donations, financial contributions, volunteering their time, and in many other ways.  While nearly everyone has the best intentions, there are right ways and wrong ways to go about helping out in times of disaster:  Please check out the information below regarding Hurricane Isaac and how you can help. 

Arizona food banks can also use your help:  St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance has already helped in the Hurricane Isaac recovery and needs your support to help replenish their shelves.  And of course, your support is needed year-round as each of AAFB’s member food banks collectively distributed over 123.2 million pounds of food in 2011-12 as they continue to fight hunger in Arizona communities each and every day throughout the year.


AAFB is also a member of ArizonaVOAD (Arizona Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster), and helps coordinate relief efforts as they relate to food and other services in times of wild fire, flood, or other disaster right here in Arizona.  Click here to learn more about ArizonaVOAD and all the organziations who come together in times of need.


Hurricane Isaac  – Donations and Volunteers – How to Help

Remember “Cash is Best”

Financial contributions to voluntary agencies can be used to purchase specific needed items on scene which helps the local economy and prevents voluntary partners from having to transport items at great expense. See the links below to donate cash to the active voluntary agencies working in the state of your choice.

Collecting Goods Is Not Favored

Clothing, household items, and food are best provided by well-funded voluntary agencies and not through the expensive process of collecting, sorting, packaging, transporting, receiving, sorting, and distributing of goods. But if you do host a collection, know the facts: (1) what is needed, (2) where it is needed, (3) who will receive and distribute it, and (4) how they want it packaged and shipped. Speak to voluntary agencies working the disaster to determine what the specific needs are before you collect. Better yet, post an offer of goods at the links provided below for the state of your choice. Voluntary partners and emergency management will review your offer and advise you if it is needed.

Volunteering Your Time

The best way to volunteer after disaster is through affiliating with a recognized disaster-related voluntary agency. Unconnected volunteers who show up at disaster sites are called “spontaneous unaffiliated volunteers” and often require the support of already busy agencies and officials. It’s better to volunteer through an organization, a church, or at a minimum, by connecting with the volunteer coordination offices in the state of your choice.

To donate or volunteer, go to one of these state sites:

• Alabama www.ndmn.us/al
• Arkansas www.ndmn.us/ar
• Florida www.ndmn.us/fl
• Louisiana www.ndmn.us/la
• Mississippi www.ndmn.us/ms
• Texas www.ndmn.us/tx