Y'all, my heart breaks for all of my fellow Texans who are suffering from Hurricane Harvey. If like me, y'all have been feeling helpless, check out some of the many ways we can get involved from afar. While Houston has received much of the attention, there are other small towns along the coast, like Rockport and Port Aransas, that took a direct hit and are almost completely destroyed. So many Texans will need help in the months to come, please don't forgot about them after the media leaves. If you can, please consider donating to one (or more!) of the many charities below doing good work. Know of a worthy charity? Please leave a link in the comments.
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is asking those hoping to help Houston to give to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
Pets
Austin Pets Alive is helping evacuate and house animals. They're looking for donations and foster volunteers, as are the SPCA of Texas, Houston Humane Society, and the Animal Defense League of Texas.
Texas Diaper Bank
People in crisis are often in dire need of supplies for their kids. The Texas Diaper Bank provides diapers provides items to meet the basic needs of children and the elderly. Donate here.
Food Bank Donations
- Houston Food Bank
- Galveston County Food Bank
- Food Bank of Corpus Christi
- Central Texas Food Bank
- Southeast Texas Food Bank
- Food Bank of the Golden Crescent
Specific Aid for Communities of Color in Houston
Colorlines has a wonderful list of Texas-based charities and organizations working to keep immigrant, Black, Latinx, and other populations safe after Hurricane Harvey.
Austin Disaster Relief Network
The Austin Disaster Relief Network is collecting items for survivors at the Hope Family Thrift Store at 1122 E 51st St. The group is requesting the following items:
- New undergarments (all sizes, children and adult)
- New socks (all sizes, children and adult)
- Toiletries (i.e.: shampoo, face wash, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.)
- New bed pillows
- New blankets
- Cleanup supplies
- Black trash bags
- Mops and buckets
- Utility knives
- Leather work gloves
- Inflatable mattresses
- Hand sanitizer
- Box fans
- Clothing is not needed; ADRN will distribute the abundance of previously donated clothing to survivors.
Families who need support from ADRN should call 512-806-0800. For info on donations or volunteering for ADRN, go here.
Monetary Donations
Several local and national organizations are collecting donations for general disaster relief efforts, including the United Way, Americares, Save the Children, Global Giving, Direct Relief, and Heart to Heart.
The Texas Tribune has a great list of resources for those in need and ways to help and give here.
Here in Texas, and I imagine in city and states across the country, there are many local businesses are holding benefits and donation drives. Too many to list here, but I linked to some aggregate city lists below, and social media and a little googling should lead you to many others. Please feel free to list any benefits in the comments.