Baton Rougeans are no stranger to natural disasters. As the tragic effects of Hurricane Harvey have unfolded on Texas and parts of Louisiana, many Capital City organizations and community leaders have quickly set relief efforts into motion. Here’s how you can help.
How to volunteer
For those planning to travel to Houston to help out over Labor Day weekend, VolunteerHouston is a fairly comprehensive online resource that links volunteers to members of the Texas community that need assistance. Medical volunteers can register with official responder organizations through the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry. National organizations such as the Samaritan’s Purse and ICNA Relief are seeking volunteers, as well.
If you are interested in giving blood donations, contact the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center at 210-731-5590 or Carter BloodCare (which serves hospitals in North, Central and East Texas) at 877-571-1000 (or text DONATE4LIFE to 444-999).
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Where, when, what and how to donate
SUPPLIES
• Collection centers are popping up all over the capital area (Baton Rouge General, Lamar Dixon and Southern University included). Please note, that each organizing group is seeking specific items for donation, and most are not requesting clothing items. You can check WAFB’s list to see what each donation site is collecting, as well as where and when you can drop off your items. The most commonly sought donation items are cleaning supplies, toiletries, paper towels, toilet paper, water, non-perishable food items and baby supplies (diapers, formula, food, etc.).
• For those traveling to Texas to help, the Greater Houston Community Foundation has also provided a list of needed supplies and places to bring any items.
MONETARY DONATIONS
• A number of the supply collection sites mentioned above are also accepting monetary donations. Check WAFB’s list for more information.
• Some local organizations like the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging and Nu Phi Omicron Music Organization are collecting online donations, but many others are accepting donations by mail.
• You can also submit online donations directly to the Texas Diaper Bank, any Texas food bank, the Mayor of Houston’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund or a relief fund set up by the Houston Texans, as well as through many national organizations.
PET SUPPLIES
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• For the furry friends displaced by Harvey, the Houston Humane Society, Houston SPCA, San Antonio Humane Society, The SPCA of Texas and Austin Pets Alive! are all accepting donations to help the animals in their care. Until these animals are reunited with their owners, these shelters are in desperate need of supplies, including large plastic or metal bins with lids to store food, leashes and collars, cat litter, large brooms, cat-specific beds, and liquid laundry soap, as well as monetary donations and foster volunteers. Contact these shelters directly or visit their websites for info.
Other ways to help
Fleurty Girl is selling custom “HOU DAT” t-shirts with 100% of proceeds going directly to Feeding Texas, an organization that serves food banks in the Lonestar State. Sydney Morrison, a graphic designer from Baton Rouge, has partnered with Fund the Nations and designed a few clothing items; the proceeds from the sale of those items go directly to Samaritan’s Purse Texas Flood Relief efforts.