City to open new Assistance Center on Monday; Urban League resource distribution event this afternoon 

To assist those impacted by the May 16 tornado, the Urban League will hold a large-scale resource distribution event this afternoon, Saturday, June 7 (details below). 

Additionally, The City of St. Louis has announced that, in partnership with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and Saint Louis University, it will open a Disaster Assistance Center on Monday, June 9, to serve as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies offering guidance, resources, and assistance related to recovery and long-term support (details below). 

Please continue to monitor our social media channels for ongoing updates.  


Urban League Headquarters – 1408 North Kingshighway 

The Urban League and their partners are hosting another large-scale food, toiletries, and resource distribution event today, Saturday, June 7, from noon – 3 p.m. at their headquarters on Kingshighway at Dr. Martin Luther King Dr.  

The Urban League is requesting the following items for their ongoing relief efforts: 

  • Tarps – tarps are a major need and in high demand, the larger the better 
  • Caulk (exterior) 
  • Caulk guns 
  • 5-gallon buckets 
  • Hand Saws 
  • Hammers 
  • Nails, particularly roofing nails 
  • Impact Drivers & Drills 
  • Staple Guns & Staples 
  • Work gloves 
  • Protective eyewear 
  • Hard hats 
  • Duct Tape 

Food/Beverage (please only bring canned products with pop tops, not those that require a can opener) 

  • Canned fruits 
  • Canned vegetables 
  • Canned chicken and tuna 
  • Canned soups 
  • Rice 
  • Cereal 
  • Oatmeal 
  • Applesauce 
  • Crackers 
  • Instant mashed potatoes 
  • Trail mix 
  • Bread 
  • Peanut butter 
  • Jelly 
  • Packaged snacks 
  • Fruit 

General Supplies 

  • Bottled water 
  • Batteries 
  • Flashlights 
  • LED lanterns 
  • Trash bags 
  • Extension cords 
  • Personal power banks/portable phone chargers 
  • Surge protectors  

Infant & Hygiene Products 

  • Infant formula 
  • Diapers 
  • Baby wipes 
  • Toothbrushes 
  • Toothpaste 
  • Soap/body wash 
  • Shampoo & conditioner 
  • Deodorant 
  • Menstrual products 

Disaster Assistance Center opens to the community – Chaifetz Arena, 1 South Compton Avenue 

The City of St. Louis, in partnership with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and Saint Louis University, will open a Disaster Assistance Center on Monday, June 9, to serve as a central space for tornado-affected residents to connect with agencies offering guidance, resources, and assistance related to recovery and long-term support. 

The DAC will take place June 9-12 (Monday-Thursday), June 16-18 (Monday-Wednesday), and June 23-26 (Monday-Thursday), inside the Chaifetz Arena, located at 1 South Compton Avenue, St. Louis. The hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m

Resources and services available will include vaccines, emotional support, mental health care, legal assistance, job programs, and more. Insurance consumer specialists from the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance will assist residents with understanding their insurance policies and navigating the claim process. 

Free parking is available at the Olive-Compton parking garage at 3338 Olive Street. For individuals with mobility concerns, assistance will be available to travel from the garage to the arena. All attendees are asked to use Entrance C of the arena to access the DAC. 


Volunteers Needed – In coordination with community organizations, disaster response teams, emergency management, and the local government, United Way of Greater St. Louis Volunteer Center is working to identify where volunteers are most needed.


Donations Needed – The City of St. Louis has worked with the St. Louis Community Foundation to establish the City of St. Louis Tornado Response Fund. This fund supports the efforts to provide immediate relief and long-term rebuilding of areas impacted by the storms. 


Impacted Businesses - Through the St. Louis Development Corporation, the City has set up an assessment form to help understand the needs of businesses impacted by the storm.  


Relief and Resources - If you or anyone you know needs immediate relief or is looking for resources, please go to the City’s page. 


United Way Relief Fund – In addition to the City of St. Louis Tornado Relief Fund, you can also make contributions to the United Way of Greater St. Louis Severe Storm/Tornado Relief Fund, which supports residents across the bi-state region who were impacted by the recent storms, along with disaster response nonprofits and long term recovery efforts.