Since the rain began falling on August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey has drenched the Gulf Coast of Texas with severe flooding.
Hundreds of residents have been forced to evacuate their homes and watch from afar as their belongings wash away in the rising water. Others have suffered serious injuries.
As the rains continue, there are several options the rest of us can take to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Most of us already know we can send donations through the Red Cross to distribute relief as needed. However, we should keep in mind that there are even more organizations that desperately need help with money, time, and various resources.
Take a look to see how you can help ease the stress of those still dealing with the tropical storm along the Texas coast.
Do you live in Texas or know someone who does? Or do you want to help from outside the area?
Be sure to SHARE all of the important resources folks can contribute to with your friends on Facebook!
Thumbnail Photo: Getty Images / Erich Schlegel
1. Become A Volunteer
Wikimedia Commons / FEMA Photo Library
Organizations like All Hands Volunteers and Global Giving are setting up relief stations in San Antonio and other surrounding areas. They need as many folks volunteering their time as they can possibly get.
If you’re not in the area, you can donate funds on their websites.
2. Donate To A Food Bank
Wikimedia Commons / United States Navy
Whether you’re sending food, water, or just cold hard cash, these organizations will be essential for helping families get back on their feet after losing everything to the flood waters:
3. Seek Out A Diaper Bank
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This basic need for children, people with disabilities, and senior adults is one of the most overlooked areas of disaster relief.
The Texas Diaper Bank accepts online monetary donations that can help keep them well-stocked in these situations. You can also drop off care packages of diapers to their facilities if you’re in the San Antonio area.
4. Give Blood
If you’re in Texas, you can provide blood donations to the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center Site and Carter Blood Care for those in need of medical attention following the disaster.
5. Offer To Help Displaced Animals
Wikimedia Commons / United States Air Force
The SPCA of Texas is working to transfer hundreds of animals from flood zones to dry areas. You can support their efforts with a monetary donation or by donating your time as a foster owner if you live in the area.
Austin Pets Alive! has also helped transfer hundreds of fur babies to safety. They are keeping a page updated with their monetary and foster needs during the evacuation.
6. Donate To Those With Disabilities
Portlight, an organization that focuses on residents with disabilities, issued a statement:
We are already hearing from people being turned away from shelters, denied sign language interpreters and many of the same issues we’ve heard throughout past disasters.
You can visit their homepage to donate funds that can make all the difference for those with special needs to get assistance.
7. Help The Homeless
The Coalition for the Homeless has set up shelters to provide beds for those residents who called the heavily flooded streets their homes.
You can help by making an online donation to provide more shelter for those individuals throughout the storm.
8. Offer A Place To Stay
Airbnb is organizing hosts in Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin to provide rooms or even entire homes completely free of charge to those evacuating the Gulf Coast.
9. Offer Your Health Services
Wikimedia Commons / FEMA Photo Library
The Red Cross is deploying health care and mental health professionals who are able to fly out to relief stations and offer their expertise to victims of the hurricane.
If you’re a health professional, check out their website to see if you’re eligible to volunteer.
Be sure to SHARE all of these important resources with your friends on Facebook to help residents still coping with Hurricane Harvey.
