Here’s How YOU Can Help Those Affected by Hurricane Harvey

As most everyone already knows, one of the most powerful hurricanes in U.S. history has hit south Texas.

What many of our readers DO NOT know is that Laura, my ModMomTV.com partner, moved down to Houston just three weeks ago.

She hasn’t even finished hanging pictures on her wall and yesterday had to evacuate her brand-new home, not knowing what it will look like when they return.

Laura is currently staying with friends on a ranch Waco, TX  and did a Facebook LIVE video this afternoon and shared her story. Watch it HERE.

What can you do to help the Hurricane Harvey victims?

Riley Heruska from Bubble Life.com has listed lots of ways:

Send Money to Organizations That Are Helping

Any amount that you can give is beneficial to those who are struggling. The Salvation Army is accepting financial donations online, or you can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. You can also donate online to Save the Children, which has set up a relief fund for kids and families. The Houston Mayor has established a Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, as has JJ Watt. Portlight is a local organization that works with disabled people who’ve been affected by the disaster, and the SPCA of Texas is supporting animals and their owners who have been displaced by the storm. You can also give to The American Red Cross by simply texting HARVEY to 90999. For a more extensive list of places to donate, visit this link.

Offer Shelter to Others If You Can

Airbnb is offering free housing to those in the affected areas who are in dire need. They are also requesting donations for these homes. If you can, extend your home to those who have been displaced from their own. If you know of a local shelter, spread the word by mouth and on social media. For a list of available shelters in the Houston area, click here. There are shelters throughout the coastal area, as well as in Austin and Dallas. 

Bring Essentials to Food Banks or Shelters

Hurricane Harvey victims are in need of many basic items, from baby diapers to canned foods. If you can bring toiletries, nonperishable foods, baby supplies, or anything useful, people will appreciate the aid. Not sure where to donate? Here are a few reliable places to consider: 

Galveston County Food Bank
Food Bank of Corpus Christi
Houston Food Bank
Texas Diaper Bank
Donation Center in Dallas (15660 North Dallas Parkway)
Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (Victoria)
Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley (Pharr)
Brazos Valley Food Bank (Bryan)
Central Texas Food Bank (Austin)
San Antonio Food Bank

Donate Blood 

The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, as well as other blood centers, have put out a call for blood supplies. More than 2,500 units of blood have already been requested, and more is going to be needed. People with type O blood (the universal donors) are especially encouraged to donate to the nearest blood bank. Agencies say that Houston and Corpus Christi are going to experience blood shortages for the remainder of the week, so any donation helps. For more information on the blood supply recovery efforts, you can visit this website. If you live in North Texas, you can text DONATE4LIFE to 444-999 and a Carter BloodCare employee will you tell you when and where you can donate.

Encourage People to File Insurance Claims

Those who have been affected by this disaster need to file any insurance claims before September 1, if possible. If they file after that date, a new law will prevent them from claiming an 18 percent penalty. Many victims of Harvey do not have flood insurance, but those who do should begin the process of filing claims as quickly as possible. Keep copies of everything and work quickly to get back on your feet if you’ve been affected.