American Red Cross Shelter in Tupelo Closing

TUPELO, Miss. (Press Release) -– As residents of Northeast Mississippi move forward with recovery from last month’s tornado disaster, the need for emergency sheltering has decreased. As such, the American Red Cross shelter at BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, which was opened minutes after the storm struck, will close effective Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 8 a.m.

American Red Cross disaster services will still be offered in the community, but will move from the arena to the Red Cross offices at 4127 Westside Drive, Tupelo, MS, 38801. The location is just west of the Tupelo Regional Airport. They will be available during normal working hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Those services include: registering for Red Cross storm assistance, client casework, and disaster mental health services, as well as the regular Red Cross services offered at the location.

Since the tornado struck, the American Red Cross has provided shelter to over 200 people and distributed over 2,500 meals and 13, 000 snacks in Northeast Mississippi alone. Statewide, that jumps to almost 39,000 meals and snacks, with over 600 people spending at least one night in one of six shelters.

The Red Cross will continue to work with local faith-based groups and other community organizations to provide support to families and workers at fixed locations in the affected communities.

Those who would like to help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, floods and other crises can make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. People can donate by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.