Hurricane Harvey has devastated Southeast Texas this past week with thousands being displaced and in need of rescue, food, water, medical supplies and more.
There are numerous local and national organizations on the ground in Houston and surrounding areas providing aid to those in need.
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National relief efforts are underway from the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, and there are also many specialized non-profits such as the Texas Diaper Bank and the Houston Humane Society that also need help.
Below are the various types of aid organizations accepting donations with links to their official sites.
General Relief:
There are several official places to make general donations to the cause. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has urged donations be made to The Greater Houston Community Foundation’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
You can also donate to national organizations like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
Faith-based relief agencies such as Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and Samaritan’s Purse are also accepting donations and volunteers over the following months.
Food:
It’s recommended that you make monetary donations to these causes as opposed to sending food. Organizers will be able to prioritize what items are needed the most as opposed to making do with what’s sent.
Two local organizations in need of donations are Houston Food Bank and The Food Bank of Corpus Christi, but there are many others in the region that will have their resources stretched. The state-wide relief agency Feeding Texas is also accepting donations.
Shelter
The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County has been coordinating shelter efforts on the ground and providing regular updates on the status of its shelters.
Airbnb is also waiving its fees and allowing people to open their homes to those seeking shelter from the storm. Arrangements to stay somewhere or provide a space can be made at their Urgent Accommodations site.
Water
Global Giving will distribute water, food and medicine from the donations made from their drive, which has a goal of $2 million.
MC-CARES, a partnership of Interfaith of The Woodlands and United Way, is also collecting water and supplies to distribute. You can contact their Crisis Assistance Centers at 936-539-1096 or 281-367-1230 to find out where to send donations.
Blood:
Those near the affected areas can attend blood drives set up by organizations such as the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center and Carter Blood Care.
Animal Causes:
Numerous animals are being displaced by the floods, with many still needing rescue. The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Houston Humane Society two services on the ground and in need of support.
Medical Supplies
The AmeriCares foundation is currently responding to the crisis providing emergency medicine, medical supplies and water to to affected.
Those wishing to help those with specialized medical conditions can contact the Little Lobbyists non-profit in Washington, D.C., and Trach Mommas of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, Louisiana,
Children and Family
Save the Children is one of the national family-focused services responding to the disaster.
The Texas Diaper Bank will also be in need of supplies for families with infants. Matthew 25: Ministries is also distributing diapers to families, as well as other personal care and first aid products.
Photo Credit: Getty / Joe Raedle, Getty / Erich Schlegel, Getty / Scott Olson
