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As Americans band together to provide disaster relief to communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey, proactive donors are asking what to give and where it should go to. If for any reason you are not donating money, there are organizations taking material donations for Harvey victims, too.
Federal officials expect 30,000 people in the Houston area will have to be relocated to shelters. Though many charities recommend financial contributions in Harvey disaster relief as the most effective donation, perhaps you're concerned about the scams springing up in the Harvey aftermath, the reputation of the charitable organization your money is going to, or, perhaps you're simply unable to donate money.
That doesn't mean you can't help. Some places are still taking material donations in food, clothes, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene, and even blood. To be useful, ask whether your donation will serve a necessary purpose. Remember that you should only donate usable items. Dirty, unwashed clothes and worn-out materials can delay the sorting and distribution process.
Before gathering any supplies, contact or look at the website of the intended organization so you can get the most accurate, updated information about what products are priority. Shipments of unneeded goods, while well-intentioned, can overwhelm disaster areas that have to waste time, storage space, and volunteers on disposing them. Once you're ready, here are 11 places where you can donate supplies:
1
Amazon Wishlist
Online retail giant Amazon lets people to donate items from the convenience of their home. Each item purchased on Hurricane Harvey Community Relief Effort list goes directly to victims.
2
Homeless Period Project of Austin
The Homeless Period Project typically distributes menstrual and feminine hygiene products to the homeless and underserved women and girls. Now the Austin chapter is collecting pads, tampons, panty liners, and individually wrapped feminine wipes for Harvey victims.
3
Houston Emergency Operations Center
If you want your donation to have a chance of getting to Harvey victims more quickly, the city of Houston has established three local drop-off locations.
4
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
The Catholic Charities organization serves people regardless of religious background. They recently announced an urgent need for school supplies, as Harvey closed many schools before the first day of school, and many children lost their school supplies.
5
Texas Food Banks
Places accepting material donations include:
6
Your Out-Of-State Food Bank
Not in Texas? Check if your local food bank is sending supplies to Texas. St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance in Arizona is one example.
7
Texas Diaper Bank
Texas Diaper Bank is accepting any brand and any size baby diapers, pull-ups, adult diapers, although they primarily need larger sizes. They are also taking formula and wipes.
8
Animal Shelters
With displaced pets overwhelming local animal shelters with limited supplies, these shelters are asking for your help. The San Antonio Humane Society has prioritized rubbing alcohol and puppy pads among material donations. You can also check if your out-of-state shelter is also heading to Texas, such as the Second Chance Animal Shelter in Massachusetts.
9
Montrose Center
The Montrose Center in Houston started the LGBTQ Disaster Relief Fund to focus on helping the LGBTQ community, including hate crime survivors, people living with HIV, and homeless youth, affected by the storm. Note that they are serving all people in need regardless of sexuality.
10
Blood Donor Centers
The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center has extended the hours of operation for their donor rooms. Carter BloodCare, with donor centers located throughout North Texas, is also shipping blood to partner hospitals affected by Hurricane Harvey.
11
Salvation Army Texas
The Salvation Army is providing disaster relief services, which includes food services and distributing supplies.
Harvey marks the biggest rain event in U.S. history, and the full extent of its damage is still unknown. If you want to help those affected by the hurricane and flooding, consider donating what you can to these organizations.
