Oh, mamas. Our hearts are so heavy this week seeing the destruction Hurricane Laura brought on our neighbors in southeast Texas and Louisiana. For Houston particularly, I felt like this one hit us pretty hard emotionally after tracking her for days anticipating a direct hit, not to mention the passing of the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Harvey. While I am breathing a sigh of relief for our city, there is a peculiar sense of survivor’s guilt and also very much a desire to repay the endless debt of help that flooded our city in the best way in 2018. And while giving cash may not always feel the most fulfilling, it truly is what the region needs now as they organize their disaster relief plans.
Here are some ways that we can give back, right here, right now::
Cash/Donations/Volunteer for Disaster Relief
Second Harvest Southwest Louisiana – For every $1 donated, you can help feed up to 4 people.
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief – Their Send Relief team will be on the ground soon to feed up to 10,000 per day, along with assisting with mud-outs.
Direct Relief USA – This organization helps with getting medicine, medical supplies, and prescriptions to doctors and pharmacies so that people don’t have to go without potentially life-saving prescriptions.
Houston Food Bank – They are accepting donations & volunteers. To give, text ABC13 to 41444 or click here.
American Red Cross – Donate $10 by simply texting LAURA to 90999.
Samaritan’s Purse – They are mobilizing to assist Lake Charles in the aftermath. Donate to assist with relief supplies and equipment.
Katy Responds – Mobilizing a supply drive now with drop off locations at Katy-area churches. Please check the link for items needed *no perishables/clothing
UMCOR – Responds to civil disasters deployed from local churches to help with relief efforts. They are now accepting donations as teams go out into the hardest hit areas.
Community Foundation of SW Louisiana – Grants from your donations will assist non-profits recover from Laura’s impact.
Cajun Navy – Much beloved by Houston, the Cajun Navy needs your donations of cleaning supplies, rubber boots, wipes, gloves, masks, and more. They also accept cash donations via PayPal.
United Way of Southeast Louisiana – Recognizing that families already struggling financially with pandemic will have a tougher path to recovery, they have opened a special donation fund specifically for Laura relief.
Kingwood UMC – Via short-term missions relief organization Praying Pelicans, Kingwood UMC will be accepting donations of items Sunday, 8/30 and Monday, 8/31 for distribution to hardest hit Lake Charles.
Coastal Bend Mom Collective – Coastal Bend Mom Collective {our sister site in the Corpus area} is hosting an Ink to the People campaign fundraiser for the Gulf Coast region’s Hurricane Laura relief efforts, specifically to get diapers and other baby supplies to families, since they aren’t often covered in other relief packages and programs.
Additional Comprehensive Lists of Needs/Resources
Hurricane Resources & Inspiration from Houston Moms
If Your House Flooded, This is What You Need to Do
Be Hurricane Prepared, Houston
Hurricane Season is Here Again, Houston. Let’s Get Ready.
Pregnant During Hurricane Season:: Keeping You & Baby Safe
Love Lives Here:: Hurricane Harvey 1 Year Later
How to Reduce Storm Anxiety for Children – via ABC13’s Travis Herzog