HOW TO HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS
As the city shifts from survival to recovery, there is no shortage of ways to help those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, as tens of thousands of Texans struggle with damage and loss, even more are stepping up to lend a hand. And as the city shifts from survival to recovery, there is no shortage of need.
Here are some ways to help. Find the Chronicle’s full list at chron.com/harveyhowtohelp.
VOLUNTEER
Displaced survivors can be found in more than 100 shelters throughout the region. Volunteers are needed in many of these locations to help sort donations, serve food and give medical care to evacuees. The need is constantly changing, so check in with your local churches, charities and redcross.org to see where and how you can help.
As of Wednesday afternoon, volunteers were needed at NRG Center shelter, which will serve 10,000 and is being run by local community nonprofit BakerRipley.
NRG particularly needs translators for Farsi, Urdu, Vietnamese and Tagalog. Sign up for a volunteer shift at bit.ly/ harvey volunteers.
The shelter at George R. Brown Convention Center, meanwhile, quickly became overwhelmed with evacuees. At press time the need there (and at its overflow shelter at Toyota Center) was for certified medical professionals.
Volunteer Houston has launched a virtual volunteer reception center to help connect organizations in need with willing helpers. Register to help at volunteerhou.org.
DONATE SUPPLIES
For many fleeing the floods, all they could salvage was the soaked clothing on their backs. Area shelters and other organizations need help with a variety of supplies. Many of the larger shelters in the area were overwhelmed with donations; most no longer need clothing, except for plus sizes, men’s jeans and shorts, children’s clothing and shoes. Check the shelter or organization’s website for an upto-date list of necessities before you drop items off. A few places accepting donations:
Interfaith Ministries, a nonprofit that operates the city’s Meals on Wheels program, needs Ensure, walkers, wheelchairs, microwaves and shower chairs. They can be dropped off at Meals on Wheels, 3202 San Jacinto. Interfaith also is accepting financial donations and additional volunteers.
Casa Juan Diego Catholic Worker House, a shelter for immigrants, is collecting food, adult diapers (especially medium pull-ups for the sick and injured), underpads for beds, baby wipes and wipes for adults. Deliver goods to 4818 Rose; financial donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 70113, Houston, TX 77270.
Lakewood Church opened Tuesday to shelter storm survivors. The church was asking for baby food, formula, baby and adult diapers.
DONATE MONEY
For most of the agencies and organizations working to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts, the most helpful and efficient way to help is to donate money. A few suggestions, though by no means a comprehensive list: Houston Food Bank, which provides meals for the hungry, houstonfoodbank.org; Houstonbased BakerRipley, formerly Neighborhood Centers, bakerripley.org; United Way of Greater Houston, unitedwayhouston.org; and the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, set up by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner for taxdeductible monetary donations care of the nonprofit Greater Houston Community Foundation, ghcf.org.
HELP THE ANIMALS
The Houston SPCA has been conducting animal rescues. The organization needs for more volunteers to help reconnect pets with their owners and for in-kind donations (houstonspca. org/give). Call 713-861-3010 to report missing or imperiled animals.
Local animal welfare organization Houston Pets Alive! also needs volunteers to transport displaced animals. Register to help at houstonpetsalive.org/ harveytransport.
Equine rescue and sanctuary organization Habitat for Horses also is accepting donations; habitatforhorses.org.
TIPS FOR DONATING SUPPLIES
Put items in separate bags. Separate linens — sheets in one bag, blankets in another, towels in another. Sort clothing into types — men’s, women’s, children, infants, etc.
Label everything. Make sure bags are clearly labeled with the contents. For example, fold up sheet sets and secure them with masking tape, then write the sheet size on the tape. Package things that are supposed to pair together, like sheet sets and clothing sets, so they don’t get lost.
Don’t just get rid of things you’ve been holding onto for ages; consider what would be truly beneficial to someone in need before donating.
Don’t donate stained or grimy clothing or bedding. Launder items prior to donating them — especially linens or blankets. People who are accepting these items may not have access to a washing machine any time soon.
Consider donating old plastic tubs, laundry baskets and boxes to donation centers — this helps sorting volunteers so they can be packaged and sent on to those who need them.
When in doubt, ask a donation center if they have a specific need.