Hurricane Harvey: How to Help

With all that’s been happening in south Texas, I wanted to share with you ways you can help (sans American Red Cross). The information I’m sharing are organizations I’ve personally volunteered with/donated to, places that are trusted by friends and those who are directly affected by the hurricane or businesses/for-purpose organizations ran and/or owned by friends I love. 

Here we go:

• Children’s Hunger Fund
• The Forgotten People
• Preemptive Love 
• The Fellowship
• Mercy Chefs
• Gateway Crisis Relief (select Crisis/Disaster Relief box)
• Samaritan’s Purse
• North Texas Food Bank
• Convey of Hope
• World Vision
• Mike’s Real Pit BBQ (please bring donations to Grand Prairie location at: 700 S Belt Line Rd, Grand Prairie, TX 75051 or donate through their Facebook page) 
• USANA True Health Foundation
• Keller Williams
• Lake Houston Area Relief Fund (donate here)
• Dare to Serve
• Christian Aid Ministries
• JJ Watts Houston Flood Relief Fund
• Irving Cares (donate here)
• Team Rubicon
• SPCA of Texas
• Convey of Hope
• Hope Supply Co.
• AGS Flood Victim Fundraiser
• Salvation Army
• PBS
• Undies for Everyone
• UMCOR
• Phi Theta Kappa Foundation

Please read this list for specific areas you want to help support.

As I gather more accurate information where support will go directly to the people affected, I’ll keep this post updated with places to volunteer at or donate to if you wish so keep checking back!

Dallas residents, if you plan on volunteering or donating supplies, here’s a message from Gateway Church: 

For those in the area looking for practical ways to give, the City of Southlake employees have organized a toiletry drive for Trusted World and the Dallas County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) to assist local shelters with needed items.

The following items will be accepted in the lobby of Southlake Town Hall through Thursday, August 31 afternoon at 5pm:

• Toothbrushes, toothpaste
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Deodorant
• Diapers
• Liquid Bath Soap
• Feminine hygiene products (always needed, seldom collected)

MY FINAL THOUGHTS…

I normally don’t share posts like this because it breaks my heart, but I wanted to do and say something regarding this situation. Since I have many friends and their families who are directly affected by this disaster, I felt that it was important to use my platform no matter how small it is.

I cannot even begin to imagine the shock, devastation, and loss these poor souls are going through. From posts I’ve seen from the media, please don’t add fuel to the fire and make this natural disaster about anything other than what it is. 

Before making assumptions about evacuating masses of people, people’s decisions to leave, to stay or to open their doors to help, please PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES. 

This situation is NOT about pointing fingers of blame and it’s not about politics nor is it about race. This is about PEOPLE and their families, homes, pets and businesses/jobs. They need our thoughts, prayers and support in whatever capacity you can give. From a simple text message or phone call to let them know you’re thinking of them to donating money to volunteering to opening your hearts and homes to those who need you, that’s HOW you can support. 

Not everything you read on social media is true. Until you’re facing this kind of experience head on or have family/friends dealing with this, please stop complaining or jumping to conclusions. Instead, keep the human spirit at the center of your heart. Have some compassion because I’m sure you’d think differently if the shoe were on the other foot.

To my friends in the midst of all this, I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. You have my love, prayers and support. #LovePeople #HoustonStrong #TexasStrong

I hope this post helps for those of you looking to lend your love and support during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. 

Image via Katey McFarlan

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