How to help those affected by flooding

Donate money: The best way to help with disaster relief efforts is to make a monetary contribution to one of the many Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster agencies, according to S.C. Emergency Management Division. View a full list of agencies at www.scemd.org/recovery-section/donations-and-volunteers. A list of needed and not needed items is available at www.scemd.org.

If you would like to contribute to the United Way of the Midlands’ Flood Disaster Relief Fund, go to http://uway.org/news/flood-disaster-relief-fund.

Central Carolina Community Foundation, the local nonprofit organization serving 11 Midlands counties, is accepting online donations at www.YourFoundation.org.

You can make a contribution to the American Red Cross 2015 Fall Floods relief at www.redcross.org/donate/weather.

Donate time: The Red Cross is seeking volunteers. Call (843) 764-2323 ext. 321.

Or, lend a hand at United Way of the Midlands: www.uway.org

University of South Carolina students wishing to volunteer can sign up at tinyurl.com/uscfloodvol.

Those offering resources needed for response or recovery efforts and those who can offer transportation for donations may contact Emergency Support Function (ESF)18 at (803) 737–8518 or (803) 737-8875.

Donate supplies:

All locations of Tripp’s Fine Cleaners will be accepting donations of clothing and bedding. The 830 Harden St. location is also offering dry cleaning services to those that were able to salvage clothing from their homes.

CJs at 749 Saluda Ave. is accepting canned goods, clothing and toiletries until 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Sid and Nancy at 733 Saluda Ave. is accepting donations of pet food, toiletries, water, baby wipes, etc. from 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Revente at 737 Saluada Ave. is accepting donations of pet food, toiletries, water, baby wipes, etc.

Cellar on Greene at 2001 Greene St. is accepting donations of small items and household appliances from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Copper Penny at 610 Harden St. is accepting donations.

The Newberry County Sheriff's Office at 520 Wilson Rd. will be a dropoff point for food and supplies. Canned fruits, vegetables and meats will be accepted along with cleaning supplies and paper goods.

Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, 3401 Trenholm Road, Columbia, has a disaster relief station to take donations and to offer items to people affected by the flood. The church is offering bottled water, clothes, baby items (diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, baby food), personal hygiene items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap), toilet paper, paper towels, comforters, non perishable food and pet food. Donations are needed of feminine hygiene products, men’s socks, paper plates/cups/utensils, formula, school supplies, towels and washcloths, sheet sets, toilet paper and paper towels. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at least through Friday.

Help for animals: If you have found a lost animal and need help finding a shelter and/or its owner, visit the Lost & Found Pets of South Carolina Facebook page or the South Carolina Flood Lost and Found Animals Facebook page.

This story was originally published October 5, 2015 at 4:16 PM with the headline "How to help those affected by flooding."