As the grim news continues to roll in from the devastation and subsequent flooding left by Hurricane Harvey, you may be wondering what the best way is to help get relief to the area.
The Combined Fund Drive sent a request to charities working in the affected region, and the response has been overwhelming.
Below is a list of charities that are currently helping in the region.
American Red Cross Disaster Relief
American Red Cross is already in the area, assisting displaced victims with food, blankets and other general needs. They have opened shelters, trucking in supplies and distributing volunteers to the places that need relief services the most.
Americares
Americares is helping provide emergency medicine and supplies to people caught in Hurricane Harvey’s devastating path. First-responders, families, the elderly and injured are all in desperate need of aid, medicine and basic supplies.
Convoy of Hope
Disaster Services team from this charity continue to respond to Hurricane Harvey, which has caused catastrophic flooding across Southeast Texas. So far, five loads of product have been distributed and more than 20 are in the queue.
Direct Relief
Direct Relief has already committed an initial $200,000 in cash and made available its entire current inventories of more than $100 million to support medical relief and recovery efforts in response to the unfolding emergency in Texas.
International Relief Team
International Relief Teams are partnering with numerous nonprofits, working with Convoy of Hope and MAP International to bring more than 1,200 personal hygiene kits to the Corpus Christi area.
MAP International
As Hurricane Harvey deluges the people of Texas with heavy rain, MAP is preparing desperately needed supplies, including thousands of hygiene kits to prevent the spread of diseases that are common following disasters.
Matthew 25 Ministries
The Disaster Response Fleet for Matthew 25 Ministries is prepped and loaded, and our Disaster Response Team is on standby. The team tentatively plans to leave early in the week, depending on the storm’s track. They will be helping with food and clothing.
Samaritan's Purse
Samaritan's Purse is reaching out to partner churches from Victoria to Houston. Once the greatest needs are identified, they will secure host church locations and begin deploying volunteers to physically and spiritually minister to homeowners.
Save the Children
Our emergency responders are working around the clock to provide family-friendly supplies and services to Hurricane Harvey survivors. Your support will help us protect vulnerable children and provide desperately needed relief to families.
St. Vincent DePaul
The Society of St Vincent dePaul is currently active in disaster relief efforts in Texas. The organization is planning on this effort being a long term commitment, likely years more than months.
Soup Ladies
The Soup Ladies are heading down to the Houston area to serve warm meals and loving support for first responders. The Soup Ladies are a local organization who have traveled the country responding to national disasters.
ASPCA
The ASPCA is preparing water rescue, emergency sheltering and relocation efforts for the areas where animals may need our help most. Your donation will help fund life-saving work including preparing for urgent animal rescue deployments.
Global Impact
The charities of Global Impact are already are on-site, delivering supplies including tents, hygiene kits, emergency medicines, and other supplies. Psychological support is also being provided for children, and planning for long-term recovery is underway.
International Aid
International Aid has already responded to the Hurricane Harvey Relief effort by shipping hygiene kits, personal care and nutritional products to our partner located in Houston who is helping to distribute the product.
Combined Fund Drive Disaster Relief Special Campaign Policy:
The Combined Fund Drive understands that many calls will be made for monetary donations during relief campaigns, so please give, but give wisely. For more resources about the charities involved in any disaster relief campaign, please visit any of the organizations below:
The Washington State Combined Fund Drive knows that when disasters strike, help is needed and the CFD will always provide an avenue for our donors to give during any time of need. The process we use to determine what charities may participate in a disaster relief campaign are as follows:
Acquiring the list of participating charities
CFD staff sends an email to every single active member charity in the CFD program asking who is providing services and goods to the disaster relief efforts and give 24 hours for charities to respond to our request.
Once the 24-hour time period has elapsed, the CFD verifies that the charities who have responded to our request are members of the CFD with a current/active status at the IRS and Office of the Secretary of State Charities Division and launches the disaster relief campaign.
Any charity that responds after the initial 24-hour period is still eligible to participate in a disaster relief campaign if they meet the required qualifications.
Proof of presence
Proof of charity involvement in disaster relief zones must be provided to the CFD; Proof can come in the form of press releases, statements, verification through news vendors or other means
Right of refusal
The Combined Fund Drive is not a policing agency and has no means to verify that charities involved in any disaster relief campaign are providing the services and goods they have stated they are providing.
Charity participation in a disaster relief campaign is not an endorsement on behalf of the CFD.
The Combined Fund Drive reserves the right to eliminate any charity from disaster relief campaigns if it is discovered that they are not providing services specific to the disaster relief effort.
