JOPLIN, MO -- More than 100,000 people have come to the Joplin's aid since the deadly F-5 tornado. The volunteers have saved the city millions in emergency costs. Nine months since the storm, that help is still needed.

"They've realized that the process is going to be a lot longer than what they had hoped for and expected," said College Heights Christian Church Distribution Center Supervisor Elizabeth Ford.

In the hours following the May 22nd tornado, College Heights Christian Church in Joplin jumped into action. Soon, more than 2,000 people were showing up to volunteer.

"We didn't ask them to come,” said Minister of Education Roger Lieb. “They just started flooding in and saying, 'hey, we're going to help.'"

The Red Cross approached the large congregation and school, asking the church to become one of the city's main distribution centers. They’ve provided food and supplies for more than 3,000 storm survivors.

The church's distribution center has remained in place.

"They come in realizing there is certain stuff that they didn't think about,” said Ford.

The center's “personal shopping assistants” have built close relationships with survivors, encouraging them to take what they need.

"We know their stories,” said Ford. “We take notes whenever they have struggles."

Ford has seen people from all walks of life using the center. Supplies have dwindled, but so far another truckload has always come through.

"Our donations are very minimal,” said Ford. “We have went through what came in very fast."

The church is hoping spring break will bring a new round of donations and volunteers for the center and other local projects.

"The faith-based organizations, the community organizations, everybody is working together,” said Lieb. “You can see it."

Rebuild Joplin is one of the community organizations that focused on pairing volunteers with local charities.

"We started hearing some stories of people showing up in town with a busload of folks that want to help, and then getting turned away because they didn't have a connection," said Rebuild Joplin’s co-founder Jerrod Hogan.

www.rebuildjoplin.org went live during President Obama's speech five days after the storm.

"We probably had ten thousand hits the first day," said Hogan.

Hogan is moving Rebuild Joplin's purpose from emergency help to long-term needs. They’ve made a goal to build homes for 500 families.

"We've actually partnered with a group in New Orleans called the St. Bernard project,” said Hogan. “They've been down there for about six years rebuilding homes for people after Katrina."

Hogan believes that Joplin, like New Orleans, will need the help of volunteers for years to come.

"You're still going to see the marks of the storm," said Hogan.

You can find more information on programs through Rebuild Joplin at Link text.

For more information on volunteering or donations through College Heights Christian Church, visit Link text.