Tornado Devastation: How to Help

March 3, 2012— -- A deadly string of tornados that ripped through the South and Midwest turned tight knit rural communities into apocalyptic war zones, left dozens of people dead in five states and thousands were left homeless.

Schools were reduced to rubble, businesses were destroyed and families were left homeless by the disaster.

If you want to help, here is a list of organizations that are conducting relief efforts:

AMERICAN RED CROSS:

Make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to their local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

SALVATION ARMY:

Donations can be made online at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY or by texting the word "STORM" to 80888 to make a $10 donation by phone. Or by mail: The Salvation Army Disaster ReliefP.O. Box 100339Atlanta, Ga. 30384-0339

FEEDING AMERICA:

When you donate to Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, every dollar helps provide eight meals to families struggling with hunger. Feeding America can be reached at (800) 771-2303 (National Office) or online at http://feedingamerica.org.

NATIONAL VOAD:

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is the primary point of contact for voluntary organization in the National Response Coordination Center at FEMA headquarters. They also provide assistance to disaster victims as well as those looking to help, at http://www.nvoad.org/