My work was having a bake sale today for the tsunami victims of Japan when we heard the news about the major tornado in Alabama (one of the managers’ first thoughts: “maybe we should have another bake sale for Alabama.”). For my birthday we made crafts to donate to a local children’s hospital.

While it seems like the last couple of years have been filled with horrible natural disasters (or man-made; thanks BP!), and a bake sale isn’t going to fix much in the large scheme of things, what struck me is that despite our nation’s economic woes and our disaster-weary national psyche, we are still interested in reaching out to help each other, whether across the nation or across the Pacific.

As organizations and first responders offer emergency relief, food and shelter, many people across the country are looking for ways to help storm victims.

The Salvation Army has set up 10 mobile kitchens to provide hot meals to survivors in hard-hit areas like Tuscaloosa, Guntersville and Lauderdale in Alabama and Montpellier and Oxford, Mississippi.

Another 22 mobile kitchens are on standby.

Follow The Salvation Army’s blog for updates, visit its website or text “GIVE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the organization’s relief efforts. It will show up on your next mobile phone bill.

Samaritan’s Purse has dispatched experts and two disaster relief units, tractor trailers stocked with emergency supplies and tools, to assess the needs in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Cullman, Alabama.

more via Storm recovery: How you can help – CNN.com.

There are lots of different ways to help both nations. Post here for different ways you have seen your community reach out, either for these disasters or others.