As you look forward to the long holiday weekend, with its promise of beach days, BBQs and binge-watching, take a second to realize how lucky you are not to be stuck in a flooded home, waiting for someone to rescue you via boat. After you let that feeling sink in, take five minutes and donate some money to Houstonians displaced by Hurricane Harvey. Even though you’re far away, there are plenty of organizations taking financial contributions through their websites. Below, a list. And here are tips on how to avoid scammers.
The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
Houston mayor Sylvester Turner and the Greater Houston Community Foundation have set up this fund, which is accepting tax-deductible flood relief donations to Houstonians affected by Harvey. Just enter in your billing info at their website and select the dollar amount (minimum donation $10).
The United Way of Houston has established a relief fund that will go towards providing food, supplies, shelter and, down the line, home repair. Donate at unitedwayhouston.org or text UWFLOOD to 41444.
The Houston Food Bank and Corpus Christi Food Bank are both seeking donations to help provide food and supplies to those displaced by the storm. For every dollar you give, you’re providing up to seven meals. Visit their websites and you’ll be directed to a PayPal link.
You can donate to the American Red Cross on their website, or just text HARVEY to 90999 to give $10 (you’ll see the charge on your next phone bill).
To donate to the Salvation Army, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, text STORM to 51555, or visit disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.
Texas Diaper Bank will provide diapers and wipes to families in need. You can either make a financial contribution online that will go towards the supplies, or mail some yourself, to 5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, San Antonio, Tex., 78238.
And finally, to help animals in need of shelter from the flood: You can donate to The Houston SPCA and the Houston Humane Society, as they take in cats, dogs and other creatures displaced by the storm.
