The United Way of Central Georgia has channels open for you to request assistance or volunteer as the clean-up after Tropical Storm Irma continues.

• Those seeking help should dial 2-1-1 or text IRMA6 to 898211, which will direct you to assistance.

• Those willing to assist should CLICK NOW and signup as a volunteer.

UWCG works directly with the Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency to make volunteer connections in the region.

As we get farther away from the day of the storm, emergency management officials, say what develops is the “unmet needs gap.” People start understanding next steps in recovery, such as expensive tree removal or replenishing low food supplies, but don’t know where to turn. Meanwhile good Samaritans want to lend a hand chopping up downed trees or providing resources to victims, but lack a way to get the word out.

“After a disaster, you always see those who need extra help. We also have great people who want to provide help,” said Spencer Hawkins, Director of Macon-Bibb County’s Emergency Management Agency. “What we want to do is to match people who need with those who have.”

In the coming days, volunteers will canvas neighborhoods in Macon to figure out the extent of the debris that needs removal. They will work through the Frank Austin Center, which is the leadership of the Macon-Bibb County Shalom Zones program. Austin said volunteers will be needed for the cleanup

Vice President of Community Engagement Lynda Brown said UWCG has an ongoing web platform that organizes the efforts of volunteers.

“We’re going to put that to work for storm relief,” said Brown, who leads the UWCG’s Volunteer United initiative. She said people eager to help can also call her direct line (478-621-7812) to get placed in the volunteer database