Organizations offer a helping hand, accept donations
Hurricane Harvey has brought massive flooding and devastation to Texas, and thousands of victims are in need of aid. Here are some of the organizations that are helping: Volunteer Houston: This volunteer-agency match program connects those interested in helping others to groups in need. Look here for ways to donate now and ways to help in the cleanup. volunteerhouston.org
Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: For donations call 1-800-9245985 and for volunteer opportunities call 281-656-1533 or visit volunteerhouston.org. Lakewood Church: The shelter at Lakewood is accepting supplies such as baby food, baby formula and other shelter needs, as well as volunteers. Lakewoodchurch.com George R. Brown Convention Center: As of Tuesday, the GRB, set up as a shelter for thousands of evacuees, needs these items: socks, underwear (especially XL), travel-size toiletries, wheelchairs, bottled water, individually packaged food and pillows. No more clothing is needed. Deliver donations to the GRB loading dock B — midbuilding, on Chartres. To access loading dock B, take Avenida de las Americas North; right on Rusk; right on St. Emanuel, right on Polk; right on Chartres; using the left lane of Chartres, form line to entrance; left on Walker and proceed to the loading area.
Other shelters throughout the region are also accepting a variety of donations. See houstonchronicle.com or visit redcross.org for an updated list of shelters. Houston Food Bank: Helps provide meals for hungry neighbors in emergencies and all year round. houstonfoodbank. org United Way of Greater Houston: Has set up a relief fund for donations. The organization says its first priority is shelter
and basic needs. It will also focus on long-term recovery efforts. Hurricane Harvey
Relief Fund: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has set up this fund for tax-deductible monetary donations for flood relief. It will be housed at the nonprofit Greater Houston Community Foundation. ghcf.org
LGBTQ Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund: Donations will help LGBTQ community members displaced by the storm. The fund is managed by the Montrose Center. montrosecenter.org
Animal agencies: Pets affected by Hurricane Harvey are being taken in by animal shelters across Texas, including the SPCA of Texas, Austin Pets Alive and the San Antonio Humane Society. The Houston Humane Society is also available, with limited staff. spca.org HISD Foundation: Help HISD students and families in need of storm relief. houstonisdfoundation.org
The Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce: Has set up a donation fund to support African-American businesses affected by Hurricane Harvey. Checks can be made payable to GHBC Foundation, 4828 Loop Central Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX, 77081
MC-CARES, led in partnership by Interfaith of The Woodlands and United Way: Has five donation collection sites in Montgomery County. As of Tuesday, the following items are most needed: baby food, baby formula, diapers, new undergarments, hygiene products, water, squeeze pouch fruit and vegetables, easy open canned fruit and vegetables, pasta and convenience meals, granola bars, toilet paper, paper towels, mops, brooms, garbage bags, towels and blankets. Locations are Crisis Assistance Center (1022 McCall, Conroe, 936539-1096); Falcon Steel America (3575 Pollok, Conroe); Interfaith of The Woodlands (4242 Interfaith Way, The Woodlands, 281- 367-1230); St. Anthony of Padua
Catholic Parish (7801 Bay Branch, The Woodlands); and Mission Northeast (22098 Loop 494, 281-3541200). The Montgomery County Food Bank: Accepting mass-quantity food, personal-care items and toiletries at One Food for Life Way, Conroe; 936-539-6686. (GPS will recognize 1 Prospect Point Conroe, TX 77385.) United Way Montgomery County: Monetary donations can be directed to 1600 Lake Front Circle, Suite 248, The Woodlands, TX 77380; 281292-4155; mcuw.org. Local religious organizations:
Jewish Family Service of Houston: Nonprofit is accepting donations to handle immediate needs of those affected by Harvey. The group provides a variety of services, including mental health and support counseling. jfshouston.org Jewish Federation of Greater Houston: This nonprofit provides a variety of services to the Houston community. houstonjewish.org
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Disaster Recovery Fund: catholiccharities. org
Casa Juan Diego Catholic Worker House shelter for immigrants: Food can be brought to 4818 Rose. They also need adult diapers, especially medium pull-ups for the sick and injured, as well as underpads for beds, baby wipes and wipes for adults. Financial donations can be sent to
P.O. Box 70113, Houston, TX 77270. National/global organizations:
The American Red
Cross is encouraging people to donate money on its website or to text 90999 to donate $10. The organization is also asking for volunteers. Direct Relief: This relief organization sends its inventory of emergency health supplies to areas in need. directrelief.org Samaritan’s Purse: This nondenominational evangelical Christian group has provided international relief since 1970. samaritanspurse.org Salvation Army: Donations will help provide physical, emotional and spiritual care to survivors and relief workers. give. salvationarmyusa.org Convoy of Hope: Group distributes emergency supplies and is on the ground in areas affected by Harvey. In addition to financial donations, they are looking for volunteers who live within two hours of storm-damaged areas. convoyofhope.org Global Giving: This crowdfunding site is trying to raise $2 million to help storm victims. globalgiving.org Heart to Heart International: The group’s disaster response team delivers water, supplies, hygiene/ health kits to affected areas. hearttoheart.org/ hurricaneharvey Islamic Relief USA: National group funds a variety of efforts, including disaster and emergency response efforts underway in Houston. irusa.org
Matthew 25 Ministries: Faithbased group provides humanitarian aid and disaster relief worldwide. m25m.org DonorsChoose.org: Collecting funds to help teachers rebuild and restock their classrooms with books and other classroom supplies. All of the donations to the relief fund will support classroom projects. Better Than a
Hotel: Company is temporarily making all of their available rentals in Austin and College Station free for evacuees affected by Hurricane Harvey. Those in need of shelter can contact Albert Smith, director of business development and marketing at albert@ BetterThanAHotel.com.
Airbnb: Has launched a site for people looking for a place to stay and for those who can offer shelter. Fees are waived for people who check in before Friday.
Carter BloodCare, South Texas Blood and Tissue Center and the Red Cross all are seeking blood donations. Americares: Connecticut-based emergency-response organization is delivering relief supplies and working with a local clinic in Houston. americares. org
Other organizations that are accepting donations for disaster relief include the Texas
Diaper Bank and Discoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi.