Local business collecting items for Oklahoma tornado victims

The tornado that tore through Moore, Okla., on Monday afternoon devastated everything within its two-mile path. And now, the question is: how can we help?

Batteries Plus at 5619 Grove Boulevard off John Hawkins Parkway is now a drop spot for donations for Toomers for Tuscaloosa. Toomers for Tuscaloosa was originally started to combat the aftermath of the storms that hit Alabama in April 2011. Now, it works to provide support and relief to disaster victims across the nation.

Batteries Plus manager Tim Massey advises people to bring in “canned food, water, batteries, lanterns, blankets, [essentially] anything that could come in handy.” Donations can be brought by the store from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Friday night. Donations will be sent to Oklahoma on Saturday.

Another way to support relief efforts is through the United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief Fund. This fund was activated on May 21 and allows individuals to donate money online at unitedwayokc.org. Also, checks with the notation “May Tornado Relief” can be mailed to United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK 73101.