Where you can help Hurricane Harvey victims

Here are many organizations, including online-only organizations, that are actively involved in helping the victims of Hurricane Harvey. They all welcome your support.

Of special interest to RVers, Texas State Park camping is free for evacuees; however, be mindful that several parks have closed because of Harvey, and it’s important to call to check availability.

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The American Red Cross is accepting donations on its website. You can also text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10.

AmeriCares takes medicine and supplies to survivors.

Catholic Charities provides food, clothing, shelter and support services to those from all religious backgrounds.

Donations to the Salvation Army can be made online, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) or texting STORM to 51555.

AABB, which coordinates a task force to manage blood collection efforts during disasters, put out a call on Sunday for blood donations in the aftermath of Harvey. Most in demand: those with type O-positive blood.

In San Antonio, the city’s Animal Care Services Department is transporting and sheltering evacuated pets. Check its Facebook page for updates. Lost Dogs of Texas offers ways to locate lost or found animals, which can also be listed on Helping Lost Pets.

Convoy of Hope: This group distributes emergency supplies and is on the ground in areas affected by Tropical Storm Harvey. In addition to financial donations, they are looking for volunteers who live within two hours of the storm-damaged area.  Visit www.convoyofhope.org

Episcopal Relief and Development: To help fund efforts for storm rescue, relief and recovery, you can donate to this organization that has an international reach. Click here

Global Giving: This crowdfunding site is trying to raise $2 million to help storm victims. To donate to Global Giving, click here

George R. Brown Convention Center: The convention center, set up as a shelter for thousands of evacuees, is no longer accepting donations.  Instead, donations should be taken to the BBVA Compass Stadium, 2200 Texas Ave. 

Houston Food Bank helps provide meals for hungry neighbors in emergencies and all year round. To donate to the food bank, click here.

United Way of Greater Houston has set up a relief fund that people can donate to. The organization said its first priority is shelter and basic needs like food. The organization said it will also focus on long-term recovery efforts. Donate here.

LGBTQ Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund: Donations will help LGBTQ community members displaced by the story. The fund is managed by the Montrose Center. To donate to the relief fund, click here

Pets affected by Hurricane Harvey are being taken in by animal shelters across Texas, including the SPCA of Texas, Austin Pets Alive and the San Antonio Humane Society. The Houston Humane Society is also available, with limited staff. Habitat for Horses – Donate here

Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has set up this fund for tax-deductible flood relief monetary donations. It will be housed at the nonprofit Greater Houston Community Foundation. Click here

HISD Foundation: Help HISD students and families in need of storm relief. Click here

Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: For donations call 1-800-924-5985. For volunteer opportunities call 281-656-1533.

Volunteer Houston: This volunteer-agency match program connects those interested in helping others to groups in need. Look here for ways to donate now, and ways to help in the cleanup that’s sure to come. Visit volunteerhouston.org

The Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce has set up a donation fund to support African-American businesses affected by Hurricane Harvey. Check donations can be made payable to GHBC Foundation, 4828 Loop Central Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX, 77081

MC-CARES, a partnership of Interfaith of The Woodlands and United Way, has announced five donation collection sites in Montgomery County. These Hubs are prepared to accept donations. The following items are most needed: baby food, baby formula, diapers, new undergarments, hygiene products, water, squeeze pouch fruit and vegetables, easy open canned fruit and vegetables, pasta and convenience meals, granola bars, toilet paper, paper towels, mops, brooms, garbage bags, towels, and blankets. The Hubs are as follows:

Central Montgomery County:
Crisis Assistance Center – 1022 McCall Ave. Conroe, TX 77301, Phone: 936-539-1096
Falcon Steel America – 3575 Pollok Dr., Conroe, TX 77303

South Montgomery County:
Interfaith of The Woodlands – 4242 Interfaith Way, The Woodlands, TX 77381, Phone: 281- 367-1230
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Parish – 7801 Bay Branch Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77382

East Montgomery County:
Mission Northeast – 22098 Loop 494 New Caney, TX 77357, Phone: 281-354-1200

The Montgomery County Food Bank will be accepting mass quantity food, personal care items and toiletries at: One Food for Life Way, Conroe, TX 77385 Phone: 936-539-6686 (GPS will recognize- 1 Prospect Point Conroe, TX 77385)

Monetary donations to help Montgomery County-wide flood recovery efforts can be directed to: United Way- 1600 Lake Front Circle Ste. 248, The Woodlands, TX 77380 Phone: 281-292-4155

Local religious organizations:

Jewish Family Service of Houston: This local nonprofit is accepting donations to handle immediate needs of those affected by Tropical Storm Harvey and its flooding. The group provides a variety of services, including mental health and support counseling. Click here

Jewish Federation of Greater Houston: This nonprofit provides a variety of services to the Houston community. Click here

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Disaster Recovery Fund – Click here

Casa Juan Diego Catholic Worker House shelter for immigrants: Food can be brought to 4818 Rose St. They also need adult diapers, especially medium pull-ups for the sick and injured, as well as underpads for beds, baby wipes and wipes for adults. Financial donations to assist those who have lost much in the flood and hurricane can be sent to P.O. Box 70113, Houston, TX 77270.

National/global organizations:

Apple is letting users donate to the American Red Cross directly on iTunes and App Store.

Direct Relief: This relief organization sends its inventory of emergency health supplies to areas in need, including the parts of the Gulf Coast affected by the storm. Click here.

Samaritan’s Purse: This nondenominational evangelical Christian group has provided international relief since 1970. To donate to Samaritan’s Purse, click here.

Salvation Army: Donations will help provide physical, emotional and spiritual care to survivors and relief workers in areas affected by Tropical Storm Harvey. To donate to the Salvation Army, click here.

Convoy of Hope: This group distributes emergency supplies and is on the ground in areas affected by Tropical Storm Harvey. In addition to financial donations, they are looking for volunteers who live within two hours of the storm-damaged area.  Visit www.convoyofhope.org.

Episcopal Relief and Development: To help fund efforts for storm rescue, relief and recovery, you can donate to this organization that has an international reach. Click here.

Global Giving: This crowdfunding site is trying to raise $2 million to help storm victims. To donate to Global Giving, click here

Heart to Heart International: The group’s disaster response team delivers water, supplies, hygiene/health kits to affected areas. To donate to HHI, click here 

Islamic Relief USA: This national group funds a variety of efforts, including disaster and emergency response efforts under way in Houston. Click here

Online-only organizations

The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund of Houston’s mayor, Sylvester Turner, which is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.

Houston Food Bank and the Food Bank of Corpus Christi are asking for donations.

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is reporting a critical shortage, and has extended hours at all of its San Antonio-area donor rooms. To donate, call 210-731-5590 or visit their website for more information.

Apple is letting users donate to the American Red Cross directly on iTunes and App Store.

Carter BloodCare covers hospitals in North, Central and East Texas. To donate, call 877-571-1000 or text DONATE4LIFE to 444-999.

To help animals suffering from the disaster, visit the Houston Humane Society or the San Antonio Humane Society. The Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has set up an animal emergency response hotline (713-861-3010) and is accepting donations on its website.

The Texas Diaper Bank in San Antonio is asking for diapers and wipes, which can be dropped off in person or mailed to 5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, San Antonio, Texas 78238.

The United Way of Greater Houston flood relief fund will be used to help with immediate needs as well as long-term services like minor home repair. Visit their website to donate or text UWFLOOD to 41444.

The L.G.B.T.Q. Disaster Relief Fund will be used to help people “rebuild their lives through counseling, case management, direct assistance with shelf stable food, furniture, housing and more.” It is managed by The Montrose Center, Houston’s longtime community center for the area’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population.

For more options, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends checking with the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for a list of trusted disaster-relief organizations in Texas.

How to avoid being scammed
Before giving money to an organization, do your research.

Charity Navigator, which identifies worthy charities, has a handy list of organizations that are responding in the aftermath of the storm.

For advice on avoiding fraudsters, check out tips from the Federal Trade Commission.

“Be wary of charities that spring up too suddenly in response to current events and natural disasters,” the F.T.C. website says. “Even if they are legitimate, they probably don’t have the infrastructure to get the donations to the affected area or people.”

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