Much of Texas, especially Southeast Texas and the Coastal Bend, continues to deal with the disastrous results of Hurricane Harvey. With ongoing emergency conditions across large parts of the state, many of our members in less affected areas are asking how they can help.

AFFECTED AREAS

Thousands of students, faculty and staff are expected to be displaced in Houston, which continues to experience catastrophic flooding and rescue operations. There will be a need for school uniforms, school supplies, and financial donations in HISD. District staff is organizing recovery and relief efforts at this early stage. Surrounding districts will likely face similar challenges.

The Red Cross is operating emergency shelters and is distributing truckloads of supplies across affected areas. Information on where to find a shelter, reconnect with loved ones, and obtain relief can be found by following this link to the Red Cross website. General information regarding emergency shelters for those evacuating disaster areas can be obtained by calling 2-1-1.

NORTH TEXAS

Dallas County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster member Trusted World is accepting donations and volunteers for the Hurricane Harvey Donation Drive. Supplies needed include:

• New underwear and socks (all sizes)
• Non-Perishable food
• Toiletries
• Feminine hygiene products
• Baby diapers, wipes and formula

Donations can be dropped off Monday between 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm and Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm at 15660 Dallas Parkway. More details can be found by following this link to their website.

CENTRAL TEXAS

According to Austin Eater, several Austin bars and restaurants are collecting money or sending partial sales proceeds to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

The city of San Antonio is collecting non-perishable food, baby food, water, new or packaged clothing and hygiene items. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg posted a list of donation drop locations to Twitter:

We have coordinated with our city council to collect necessary items for evacuees at district offices near you. See below: #CompassionateSA pic.twitter.com/B2YgOKVT4M

— Mayor Ron Nirenberg (@Ron_Nirenberg) August 27, 2017

• Text “HARVEY” to 90999 to make a $10 donation
• Call 1 (800) RED-CROSS
• Visit www.redcross.org

The Houston Press has compiled a list of food banks, which can also accept monetary donations as well as foodstuffs: 

Houston Food Bank
832-369-9390
www.houstonfoodbank.org

Galveston Food Bank
409-945-4232 
www.galvestoncountyfoodbank.org

Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (Victoria) 
361-578-0591 
www.victoriafoodbank.org

Closed Friday

Corpus Christi Food Bank
361-887-6291
www.foodbankcc.com

Southeast Texas Food Bank (Beaumont) 
409-839-8777 
www.setxfoodbank.org

Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley (Pharr) 
956-682-8101 
www.foodbankrgv.com

Brazos Valley Food Bank (Bryan)
979-779-3663 
www.bvfb.org

Central Texas Food Bank (Austin)
512-282-2111
www.centraltexasfoodbank.org

San Antonio Food Bank
210-337-3663
www.safoodbank.org

Houston Texans NFL star J.J. Watt launched a YouCaring Houston Flood Relief campaign which has raised more than $460,000 of its $500,000 goal. Watt announced the fund in an Instagram post: 

 

It's extremely difficult to have to watch the events of Hurricane Harvey unfold on TV and not be able to get back to Houston to help with the recovery efforts. I've set up a fundraiser so that we can raise as much money as possible to help our communities and the families of our great city rebuild. Any donation that you can spare, no matter how large or small, no matter what city or state you live in, is greatly appreciated. We will come out of this stronger than ever. www.YouCaring.com/JJWatt #TexasForever A post shared by JJ Watt (@justinjames99) on Aug 27, 2017 at 2:19pm PDT

Donations can also be made to the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Texas Diaper Bank, Samaritan’s Purse, North American Mission Board/Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, and SPCA of Texas. Texas Monthly has a list of additional aid organizations in this article on Hurricane Harvey aid.