It’s Wednesday, six days after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in southeast Texas.
And the storm is only getting worse, having broken ground for a second time on the Texas-Louisiana border this morning.
We can’t all ride in on horses or boats, but we can give — and give effectively.
Being justifiably skeptical of the American Red Cross is no excuse not to donate to those in need. To streamline the process of giving, here a few of the charities and organizations where your money will go the furthest, from immediately supplying food and water to more sustained, long-term rebuilding.
Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
What they do: Established by Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston, the fund is housed at the Greater Houston Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, and will be distributed to victims affected by the floods.
Donate: Online here
Feeding Texas
What they do: Work with a large group of food banks in affected areas to provide food boxes, shelter meals and cleaning supplies.
Donate: Online here
Houston Food Bank
What they do: Their warehouse is currently unsafe to travel to, but once waters recede, the organization will mobilize volunteers and continue their legacy of providing food, water and other forms of help to those in the community.
Donate: Online here, or to the Food Bank of Corpus Christi
Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
What they do: Help animals already in their care, those that are abandoned and those with displaced owners. Rescue, transportation and shelter are within their purview, as well as providing necessary items from food to crates.
Donate: Online here. They also note the need of the Wildlife Center of Texas.
Texas Diaper Bank
What they do: Distribute diapers (for children and adults) as well as other baby items to shelters. Donations will also be given to families displaced long-term.
Donate: Online here, or ship diapers directly to them from their Amazon Wish List
LGBTQ Disaster Relief Fund
What they do: The Montrose Center, Houston’s 39-year-old LGBTQ community center, will use the donations to help individuals and families rebuild with services from food to housing to counseling. Unlike aid groups that are reluctant to help people of certain sexual orientations or gender identities, the Montrose issued this statement: “While the Montrose Center will focus primarily on empowering the LGBTQ community to rebuild after the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, we serve all people in need regardless of their sexuality.”
Donate: Online here
Donate with goods you’re already purchasing …
Some of our favorite companies are donating their profits or offering incentives to donate to Harvey’s victims. Here are a few of them:
- The Frye Company: Before Hurricanes Harvey and Irma hit, Frye had partnered with Feeding America to make a donation for every pair of shoes purchased from their Made in the USA collection through September 30th. Now, those donations will be going to the Feeding America National Disaster Fund.
- Kammok: On August 30th, they’re donating 100% of proceeds to the American Red Cross Harvey relief. Also, all proceeds from their Texas Flag Hammock “will indefinitely support Harvey and the long road to recovery.”
- YETI: On September 1st, the company is donating 100% of sales from YETI.com and their Austin, TX, flagship store to Gulf Coast relief funds.
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Taylor Stitch: For every online order placed through September 4th, they’re donating $2 to those impacted by way of the GHCF Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund and SPCA of Texas.
- United Airlines: As well as matching the first $200K of the almost $1.5 million currently raised, the airline is giving MileagePlus members up to 1,000 bonus miles for donating to a variety of charities.
- American Airlines: Until September 24th, AAdvantage members earn 10 bonus miles for every $1 donated to the American Red Cross, with a minimum of $25.
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