Houston lived inside my heart and overwhelmed my thoughts this week. I took this picture in Austin’s Zilker Park during our US Roadtrip. As we drove across Texas, I remember the vastness of Houston. I can’t imagine what Houston and the many affected cities look like now.
Everywhere you turn, people are talking about Houston. While watching conversations on social media, a concern grew inside me. After a few days, I felt ready to write. Actually, I need to write about Houston. They need our help! Like you, I want to help.
I am praying. I donated money. But I cringe at posts about sending “stuff” to Texas. (School supplies, clothing, water, etc.) I am here to tell you….
Houston does not need your stuff
More posts appear every day about trucks that will deliver items to Houston. I applaud all of these well intentioned efforts but Houston residents don’t need your old sweatshirt. Donations can and will do more harm than good in this first wave of clean-up.
There are many articles written on this subject by life-long philanthropists and humanitarians. Their experience from past disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the Tsunami tells us repeatedly, Houston needs financial support.
US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cautions that used clothing is “rarely a useful item” to collect and donate to disaster relief. The clothing will quickly fill warehouses or end up in the landfill with the rest of the disaster debris.
I realize that sending money doesn’t feel like enough, but a recent comment on Facebook left me speechless.
“I’m not sending money to pay someone’s salary.”
Really? You want to help but object to paying for emergency workers who work around the clock and risk their lives? What about relief workers trained to deliver, build and support mobile cities and shelters? Chefs to cook meals? Groups armed with water filters that can be delivered to where they are most needed and at a fraction of the cost of bottled water? How about the construction workers, social workers and counselors who remain on the ground for months after the headlines disappear?
“This is going to be a long-term event. We’re going to be there for a long time,” says Lt. Col. Ron Busroe, the Salvation Army’s community relations and development secretary…They also have almost 60 mobile kitchens ready to deploy around the disaster area as soon as roads are opened. But like others, Busroe knows they’ll likely have to provide food and shelter assistance well after the flood waters have receded. He predicts this disaster will affect more people and property than Hurricane Katrina did in 2005.
I want my money to pay for trained personnel who are at the ready when disaster strikes. Furthermore, I prefer to donate to the salaries of people who know how to help. People who dedicate their lives and careers to helping others. I value their expertise and efforts. Call me crazy, but I think they deserve a salary!
I tried really hard not to rant and I know that I’m a little spun up about this topic. While donating money may not feel like you’re doing something, in disasters like this, it is the very best thing that you can do. I promise.
People also ask, “Can’t I just send something useful?” You could, but the cost and logistics of shipping items could be re-allocated to purchase locally and supporting a small business owner. There is literally nowhere for it to go.
Bob Ottenhoff, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, has some words of caution for those who want to help.”This is not the time to be donating products or even services,” he says. “…With the floods blocking off streets, when warehouses are not available, there’s no place for these products — there’s no place to store anything, there’s no place to distribute anything. And that’s going to be the case for some time.”
But there is some good news because other areas remain unscathed and prepared to store and deliver supplies on demand from nearby cities. Thereby, reducing further burden on the affected areas
Derrick Chubbs, president and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin, agrees that cash donations are best for groups like his, which is trying to help with emergency food distributions. The Houston Food Bank* — the largest in the country — was shut down by flooding, so others in the state food bank network are pitching in.
“I say donate funds, because we can use those to purchase exactly the type of disaster relief supplies that are going to be most helpful,” Chubbs says. “It also avoids complications of sorting and having to distribute varied types of food items.”
Did you know that Newtown, Connecticut received 67,000 teddy bears after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary? They rented an entire warehouse to house all the donations received. So in the wake of such a tragedy they had a bunch of stuff to deal with. What if the money for 67,000 teddy bear funded grief counselors or helped with funeral costs?
Chris Kelsey, who worked for Newtown at the time, said they had to get a warehouse to hold all the teddy bears.“Newtown had been struck by mass murder, not a tsunami.” As Kelsey said, “I think a lot of the stuff that came into the warehouse was more for the people that sent it, than it was for the people in Newtown. At least, that’s the way it felt at the end.” Every child in Newtown got a few bears. The rest had to be sent away, along with the bikes and blankets.
Don’t have extra dollars to send? Good news, I have ideas!
- Carve off a portion of your entertainment or dining-out budget – Give up a night out for Houston
- Instead of sending used clothing – Sell them at a yard sale and donate the proceeds
- Want to get the kids involved? Encourage them to sell old toys or set up a lemonade stand and donate the profits to Houston
Where to donate? I have ideas for that too!
- Samaritan’s Purse – Recommended by Dave Ramsey, Personal Finance Expert
- UMCOR – Monetary Donations and Cleaning Kits
- *Houston Food Bank (Re-opened – Accepting donations and volunteers.)
- Central Texas Food Bank
- Legacy Collective – Recommended by Austin, Texas native and respected author Jen Hatmaker
- Click HERE for guidance to avoid scams, research charities and view a long list of vetted and reputable National and Local Organizations which support disaster relief. Choose an organization that speaks to you.
Additional Reading:
When Disaster Relief Brings Anything But Relief
Want To Help Hurricane Harvey Victims? Experts Say Donate Cash
You should write about the fires in Montana
Kery thanks for your note. I hope this resonates with people regarding all disasters. Texas was just the catalyst. That said, I think your point is that Texas is getting all the help and attention. Perhaps? If so, that’s a more than fair point. I’ll research and make a point of mentioning on my social media channels even if not a full post. THANK YOU for the comment and feedback. I hope you’ll keep reading.
The media is doing nothing for Montana and its’ fires. It makes me sad. I would hope that you WILL give Montana some lip service as well. It’s always easiest to jump on the bandwagon that our illustrious media deems most important. Of course Houston is important but there are other needs in this country.
Montana doesn’t need lip service. I live in MT, I live in the fires. I don’t understand people who think we “need” national media attention. So what? We have a lot of people in evac areas, but only a few people are actually burnt down. It’s ok….
When Joplin had the EF5 tornado come through my family was affected by it and 4 years later the injuries my husband received that day finally took him. I met many people that helped our family for we had lost everything. Me and my husband had adopted 2 grand daughters and we have a disabled daughter that I now take care of. We were lied to by some people but we got a Habitat Home. Salvation Army used our family for their national convention and made alot of money off of us. They had collected so much money for Joplin that 4 years later they were made to give it back to Joplin because it was sitting in their account waiting on another disaster. So I have given to a church that came to Joplin and helped us…
I’ve thought about them, too. They deal with disastrous wildfires annually. They’re easy to forget because Montana is not as populous as Texas, but the need is very much there.
Yes, Houston is catastrophic and is effecting a huge mass of people .
However the fires are getting more widespread and they do not have the funds or manpower to fight the fires. I recently was in Great Falls for a week where the air quality was very poor and has worsened. It is now not safe for you to be outdoors for prolong periods because it is dangerous to your health.
Prayers are so helpful. They need the Houston water!
Houston is not the only city in Texas affected by Harvey. Approximately 125 small towns and small cities were inundated as well. Most do not have the resources Houston has and are going unhelped. Hundreds of thousands of people in Texas have lost their homes and everything they owned. They lost their cars, their clothes, their pets, their jobs as many businesses were forced to close. It isnt just Houston affected. But it seems that only Houston is getting helped.
Not true- this is a false narrative. All the money donated to Houston is going to all the flood victims. And as far as places like Rockport, volunteers are now being turned away because they have enough. Originally, there was no place to stay, no electricity, impassable roads, no food yet- now there’s more than enough help. Once the storm hit the Beaumont area, manpower was shifted from Houston. With that being said, millions were and still are affected in Houston. Schools are closed all year, dams are STILL being released and homes not flooded are now under water today. The widespread devestation is equally important; towns may not be mentioned as much, but is that an issue, media aren’t saying the names of towns enough,? We (Texans) are taking care of ourselves- with gracious help but we’re not waiting around where it’s needed- we are helping our neighbors and neighboring cities, driving by car, boat, any means possible to offer assistance. I thank Houston for getting the attention to help every other city in the disaster zone. Now, I’m putting on my rubber boots to continue digging our business out of flood water.
Love the OTHER prospective!
I’ll agree with most of what you said but “The rest of Texas remains unscathed” Really??? IT WASN’T JUST HOUSTON HIT!!
You obviously haven’t seen Rockport, Port Aransas, La Grange, Columbus, Wharton, Corpus Christi .. oh my goodness I could go on and on ….
Thanks Julie for your feedback. I never meant to exclude the surrounding areas or those affected outside of Houston. But that was my mistake and I will fix it. Many commenters have left lists of cities affected to help correct this. I appreciate it!
Great post Amy!
And the fires in Oregon too
What I heard they were asking for clothes even used. People needed to be able to change clothes, old clothes to work while repairing their homes. There is no way any charity would be able to get new items purchased and did sent to them. Charities cannot get claims filed in order to help 18,000 Plus families in a week and get money to them to purchase the clothes themselves. Charities could not purchase clothes and get it to stores for them. 1. Charities have no idea what size shoes, how many socks, shirts of a certain size each community needs. 2. Even if they knew sizes, etc. it would have been impossible to get it to where it was needed. Roads were closed and some are still closed. Airways were closed due to rain, toranadoes. I have seen churches and organizations being able to do all the above. I visited a church this weekend where many of their rooms were used for items people needed and needed them immediately. Trash bags were filled with families name where the items had been separated to their needs. Many people cannot afford to eat out etc, you explain. Even if they can that money would not be available until months of saving. Yes, I agree that money donations is a necessity. People’s first need was clothes, shoes, socks, etc. I watched the challenge at least ten hours a day. I did not see anyone complain of receiving used shoes or clothes. We know after awhile to much of anything is not good. In fact, they were saying thank you. They appreciated having any shirt so they could change from something they had on for several days. I could go on with many other stories. If there were to many Teddy Bears. Send them to hospitals, police stations, school counselors. They would like to have here for children who had been abused, fires in homes and for mavpny other needs. Yes, I think they should be paid. I also think monthly reports should be required of all non-profit organizations. A report similar to what is given in spreadsheets and not pages of paragraphs with unnecessary verbiage, or very vague comments when asked how the money given for this cause and this cause only will be spent on OUR people. A form which other businesses have to send to the IRS. If I over reacted to your article it is because my heart is full of many emotions as we see our family, friends, ex-students and strangers with so many needs. I see schools which have been totally destroyed and not able to re-open this year. Water in bottles for people who had no means to get it any other way. I apologize my comments are so random, but I do not have time to have it it in proper grammatical form. I could go on, but I will spare you. Until you have walked in the other man’s shoes…….
Exactly, well said. How many times have they said on the news and other programs be careful of who you send your money donations to. WATCH OUT FOR SCAMMERS !!! Money is needed true. Leave that to the wealthy people of our nation and clothing to those you cannot send money. Your description of the need for fresh clothing after being in foul filthy seweage clothing for any length of time had to be mortifying and frankly unhealthy. Putting on clean fresh dry clothing used or not had to uplift their spirits and the rest of this tragedy will fall into place at a later time.
FYI Babette Breaux, the larger nonprofits do have to fill out a form for the IRS. It’s Form 990 and it is public record. You can find information on nonprofits, including their IRS filings on http://www.guidestar.org.
In fact EVERY non profit org must complete reports – not simply verbiage. Quarterly, Weekly or otherwise
We just visited your beautiful Montana last year. I was in awe of its rugged beauty. So sorry for your fire disaster. Also so touched by the needs in the Texas area. On our hearts daily!!
I feel there are good points made in this article, but when The Savation Army uses an estimated 95 cents for every dollar donated for aid to their communities and “corporations” like UNICEF use an estimated 5 cents of every dollar donated to aid people in crisis, I have to question the disparity. Personally, I prefer to donate 95 cents on the dollar to help those in crisis. The issue is finding organizations to donate to who use those donations most effectively to provide the most profound service for those in need.
Don’t know where you get your information, but for starters, UNICEF isn’t a corporation, it is an agency of the United Nations. (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), now just called the United Nations Childrens Fund.
You may dislike the UN, but that’s on you, not them. On Charity Navigator, UNICEF gets a score of 84 (out of 100), with a 97 for accountability and transparency.
I’m not saying UNICEF is better or worse than most charities, but you claim that they use only 5% for charitable purposes does not hold water. At all.
I appreciate your thoughts and concern for Houston, however, saying the rest of Texas is unscathed is false and hurtful. The storm destroyed most of the Texas coast and many of the communities along the rivers. Most of my friends had their homes flooded and lost just as much as those in Houston. The media did not show it because it is not as dramatic for 1000 people in a coastal town to lose everything as it is 20% of a massive city to have their homes flooded. Please, just be aware that many Texans have been hurt enough and do not need to read that they were unscathed.
Thanks Debbie for your feedback. I never meant to exclude the surrounding areas or those affected outside of Houston. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it!
Absolutely…..I have a cousin who lives in Washington State and she says it is terrible and it is still on fire.
I am not diminishing Houston’s needs.
No one is talking about or doing anything about the people and wildlife effected by this tragedy.
PLEASE HELP THEM TOO!
I agree they don’t need stuff,They have no where to put it.please send can food.When Katrina came through Gulf Port Miss,I went to work down there for two weeks.I saw. First hand howthe people down there needed.Yes they needed clothes,Everything.But food was the important thing ,Water,It is so sad to look around you and you feel so blessed.But please send food and water to Houston.
Great post- good food for thought!
Thanks for reading Wendy and the feedback. Much appreciated!
This was so well written and covered every excuse that people have for not just sending money. My only concern was the suggestion to pull support from current giving to finance the desire to help.
For those of us in nonprofits that depend on donations, disasters can be a funding disaster for our organizations/nonprofits.
Thank you for writing such an excellent piece.
Best post I’ve read. When I saw all the items being donated, my first thought was, what are they going to do with all of that?? I want to donate to an organization that I know will do the most good for the people of Houston, Thanks for including the links to the local relief organizations.
Rockport, Aransas Pass and Port Aransas to name a few have also been hit and half for the towns are gone. I would like to see more help and money for them as they have to rebuild they are all so devastated let’s not forget the little towns.
I think this is why it’s important to donate to reputable organizations. They help ALL affected by natural disasters, not just where the truck gets dumped off… I know UMCOR through the united methodist church strives to be first in and last out to help people in all stages of rebuilding!
I agree they are being forgotten because the are not flooded.
They have destruction.
I have been through several floodsas well as thr April 10,1979 Tornado..
Nothing can be done in houston till the water recedes.
Praying for everyone this has
Harvey has impacted .
The company will work for has an employee whose family is in Rockport.. we are hauling down a load of cleanup supplies and unloading it and then reloading a trailer with debris to haul to a landfill in Oklahoma to get it out of the way.. personally I think if you haul supplies in you should haul an equal amount of debris out as an additional contribution
Great point Brandi!! Thanks
Looking at piles and piles of stuff and wondered how this is going away
The little towns are in dire need of water, food, other personal items. Some of the people are trying to help fred these people and help. Shepherd, Goodrich, tarrekton prairie, silsbee, lumberton, so many of these little towns are hurting too
Amen! The “Eye of the Storm” devastated Rockport, Port Aransas and Aransas Pass.
The most we can take from this article is not to send useless things like used clothes and teddy bears. Official intake centers are asking for new clothes (will not take used), and the community IS asking for diapers for all ages as well as baby food. Donate money if you’re no where around here. However, if you’re local, the need isn’t even supplies as much as it is volunteers. The San Antonio Food Bank is an official intake center. Here is what they say:
The San Antonio Food Bank is in emergency response mode to support the local and statewide needs resulting from the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.
You can help immediately with:
o Monetary Donations: http://safoodbank.org/donate
o Material Donations: Our most wanted items are nonperishable food, water, baby food, diapers, hygiene items, new car seats, lightly used strollers, cribs or “pack ‘n plays”, and cleaning supplies.
Donations can be dropped off at the Food Bank warehouse (5200 Enrique M. Barrera Pkwy, San Antonio, TX 78227) 8am-7pm or at the San Antonio City Council district offices. https://safoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/District-Council-Offices.pdf
o Clothing Donations: Our most needed clothing items are men’s and women’s tops, pants, socks, and undergarments. All clothing donations must be NEW.
o Volunteer: Volunteers are in critical need as we respond to local and statewide needs: emergency food boxes, hot meals, and more. https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0009&console_type=event&ht=1
o Voice: Advocate and share relief efforts on social media. https://vimeo.com/231840739
Yesterday 2 trucks were pack in Manasquan and Point Pleasant NJ with items that were specifically requested by shelters in Texas. One truck has water and the other requested items which were being sorted before loading in the trailer. While we donated also, I think the diapers, underwear, socks and pillows all new, will be well received
Do you know where I can find a phone number for the SA Food Bank? I would like to personally ship some hygiene items directly to the food bank, but I want to know if someone will be there to receive the package.
Nevermind, I will just click the link.. lol.
I am the silk hand embroidery artist, so I hand embroidered a few silk embroidery artworks that I want people do auction. The money will be for Houston. Anyone is interested? Please let me know.
Thank you for that! There are plenty of make shift shelters right now that food and supplies are going directly to that people ARE being helped.
There were 5 men from the company I work for that went to Houston with 2 boats. They did more rescues than most of the trained rescue personnel because the trained rescuers had there hands tied because they were always having to wait for permission to do anything. The volunteers were the ones just doing it.
And many times self deployed volunteers don’t know the dangers lurking. Many ‘self deployed’ rescuers ended up having to be rescued themselves. Some perished. Hands aren’t “tied” when trained rescue personnel are “waiting for permission” . They are making plans for safe extraction, planning on a place to take the victims (do they need immediate medical care, do they have companion animals, will we need child sized flotation devices, is the power still on in the affected area…
Go ahead. Self deploy. Your life insurance doesn’t cover death due to stupidity.
Great comment, agree completely. While emergency personnel such as fire and rescue have done a fantastic job, it’s the volunteers like your co-workers who are saving the day. I’m hearing a ton of complaints on the animal rescue sites that had been efficiently organizing loads of donations and volunteers that once the more formal organizations stepped in, rescues and actions came to a crawl. Moreover, in many cases I’m hearing reports that these large organizations are actually stifling the movements and activity of the small rescue set-ups. So while I wouldn’t donate my used underwear to the cause, I also won’t be sending money to large volunteer organizations. Instead, I’ve donated money to a small, local rescue operation that got great reviews.
Good point! Just do it and help your kindred souls!
You are correct!
You are right, the trained personnel are usually useless. I lived through disasters. FEMA was just a information taker, did absolutely nothing to help. Look at how the Red Cross berated and tried to prevent outside volunteers from delivering hot food. Sure everyone wants you money but they don’t use it well.
I hope you are not talking about first responders being useless. My son was a cop in Ft Lauderdale when Andrew hit and they were deployed to Miami for security of residents. It was pitch dark and they didn’t even know the names of streets they were on. Every first responder in Houston was working their Butt off. They obviously had to wait for instructions as the 911 operators knew which calls were more urgent. Don’t be so critical until you have walked in their shoes.
Very helpful…thank you!
I’m from Houston, but I should point out that we are NOT the only community that got ravaged by Harvey. From Corpus Christi to Beaumont got pummeled by the storm. As much as we appreciate the love, some of the efforts need to go to the smaller communities as well. Rockport, Port Arthur, Port Lavaca, Galveston, Pasadena, Richmond, Rosenberg, South Houston, LaPorte, Beaumont, Orange, Vidor, Corpus Christi, Katy, Missouri City, Sugar Land, Cypress and others.
James – you are 100% correct. Thank you for the list of cities. I thought about that afterwards and wish I had titled the article Texas. My belief is that donations to the national organizations and Texas based organizations will support all affected areas. You and your community are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you again for taking the time to comment.
Thank YOU for such an informative article! I have sent cash and hope to send more as soon as I can. Wasn’t aware that clothes must be new……have only ever sent cash in disasters, but this was an eye opener for me. So was the teddy bear debaucle……well meaning folks with not enough information. Hopefully, your article will encourage many to help in more useful ways.
James this was well written. My only thought was for those that contribute cash to research the recipient organization. Some organizations are saying they are disaster relief but actually have another agenda and funds are being siphoned off. Make certain that the majority of your donation actually goes to those in need (at least 95%). Most major religious bodies have disaster funds and 98 % go to the needed persons with the remaining used for administrative costs.
Hi Bob – Thanks for your feedback. I agree that researching where you send your own donation is an individual decision and an important point. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!
What a gracious comment.
Thank You! And I would like to point out that when you give monetary aid, it’s likely to be dispersed among all of the hard-hit areas. It won’t ALL go to Houston. The media tends to glom on to whatever the largest city is, so “Houston” is the buzz word, but it’s really the entire Gulf Coast. ❤
I live in PA and my name sake lives in Pasadena. I do believe Houston is just a “name” to use vs. a long list. I’m sure they all will benefit.
Thanks Brenda – that was my intent but also my mistake. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
I live in The Woodlands, about 45 minuted north of Houston, which was also hit hard. People perceive it as a mostly affluent neighborhood, which it is, for the most part. But there are a lot of families here that aren’t rich, and the villages that got hit may be able to afford to buy food and diapers except none of the stores are open, or supplies are limited. We need plastic tubs, masks, heavy gloves, bleach, buckets and scrub brushes and lots of volunteer labor. Folks in The Woodlands will probably be last on the list for FEMA reimbursement, too, so living expenses, transportation to replace totalled cars, and short term low interest loans are important, too.
You have a valid point, especially in regards to the burdens of storage of unused items and disposal of unusable items. Maybe people don’t trust where their cash is going to. With all the negative attention, some of it justifiable, about the wasteful spending, I have a hard time giving up hard earned money. If I donate, I will make sure of who that donation is going to and that they have at least a decent track record for spending. Organizations that are more concerned with their administration’s bottom line than they are the citizens they claim to serve/help, have left a bitter taste in my mouth. There are certainly many more ways to help than giving money.
Thanks Joshua for your feedback. I understand the hesitation to donate money not knowing where it goes. The NY Times article that I linked to did a great job of vetting many organizations that you people can consider. Thanks again for your comment.
I thought this was a fantastic article, right up to the end. Then I saw you tell people to reallocate donations from their favourite charities and I almost lost it. As much as things suck in Houston right now, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the constant death and depression going on in countless other countries. The total death toll in Houston is probably less than the daily death toll in the Kenyan slums, but no one ever talks about that.
Jeremy – thanks for your feedback and for taking the time to comment. You’re absolutely right that there is a lot of need everywhere. I appreciate you pointing this out. Thanks again.
It’s not so much that people don’t trust charities with their money. It’s that people want to feel good about helping without actually giving up anything of value to them. Their old clothes and junk is not difficult to part with but money always is.
Agre 100%! I’m more than happy to give my money towards salaries of the trained workers who are actually on the ground and trying to help! I do, however, draw the line at paying the million dollar salaries of those who run such organizations!
Samaritans Purse is on the list of top 10 charities in the world. They are usually first to reach disaster stricken areas anywhere in the world. Boots on the ground in the Houston area as soon as they were permitted. Please consider this charitable organization when donating.
I agree……locally you can get involved. It’s times like these where you see ” not for profit ” organizations get too much money. This is when they take advantage. But, I disagree with the intent of this article. I can guarantee in a situation like this I would be grateful for any help. Everywhere you go now at every store is an opportunity to donate. So millions of dollars are coming in. There is no way of knowing how financially responsible these organizations are going to be. I’ve seen personal trucks loaded with supplies, like diapers, baby items , hygene supplies,water, pet supplies, you name it it’s going. I’m sure it will be given to needy people along the way, even before big organizations can distribute. So please don’t discount the heart felt help and generosity of our fellow citizens. And don’t for one second think that money solves all problems.
Money doesn’t solve all problems, but following a disaster it solves a lot of them. Especially as the hardest hit areas are often the poorest (e.g. Houston’s Fifth Ward) and will need the support of groups like the Houston Food Bank in the months after the initial crisis is past.
And if you aren’t sure how financially responsible an organization is going to be, you can at least look at how responsible they have been in the past with things like GuideStar and CharityNavigator.
Amy – I understand your concerns and agree many probably share them. You might look into UMCOR, as 100% of money donated is used for relief. They are able to do this because the UMC connectional giving (through the churches) covers the administrative costs of running the relief organization. It was one of the organizations msuggested by the author and they are listed in the NVOAD.
Thanks Val – I agree 100% re UMCOR. They are on my list of recommended organizations at the bottom of the article. Much appreciate you mentioning them and all the good that they do!
Question anyone who claims that “100%” of funding goes to relief for any organization, as there is always overhead. CharityNavigator shows 93% for UMCOR (with 6% spent on administrative expenses and 1% spent on fundraising expenses or ‘other’).
There is at least one organization committed to being in Texas long after the TV cameras are gone: Mennonite Disaster Service.
The Mennonites were so helpful in our shelters when I worked for the Red Cross years ago. Wonderful group of workers.
Great article. And I agree with you-relief workers very much deserve to be paid! The reservations people have about “paying someone’s salary ” usually refer to these non profit’s CEO’s who pocket MILLIONS!
Thank you, sir, for clarifying our need to withhold! So many corrupt organizations trying to make a dollar from this crisis.
Look at it like this. Many of these do-gooder agencies are big organizations, on par with many large private entities. They have to pay what the market pays to get excellent leadership, and it’s generally money well spent. I’m not sure I’d want someone from the junior management level running something like that.
If the relief workers are working on a volunteer basis, don’t you think that the head of these organizations could volunteer some of the time so not all the money goes into their pockets! I know you need someone with the ability to handle these types of problems, but the heads should also be aware of what they are actually there for to help the victims and think of this when they take the job! It is not right that they should get such huge salaries when most of their workers are volunteers! I will only give to Samaritans Purse or the Methodists! The other organizations are just bureaucracies!
Remote Area Medical provided boat rescue early on.
They’re now giving medical assistance where needed. Clean up crews and a medical clinic will be scheduled when Rockport is deemed safe for volunteers. Our CEO Stan Brock, receives NO salary.
Donations would be appreciated: ramusa.org
Salvation Army should be added to the list of charities.
Thanks Rebecca. I included the NY Times article which vetted and listed a number of reputable national and local organizations. Salvation Army was indeed one them. thanks again for the note and for reading!
http://www.koamtv.com/story/25456004/salvation-army-is-saving-money-for-long-term-joplin-recovery-says-there-were-enough-short-term-recovery-organization
I don’t think they are open enough with what they are doing with the donations.
I’m sorry, but I would never give 2 the Salvation Army. Do u have any idea what the president of that group makes? WAAAAAAAAY 2 much! There would b tons more donations if they didn’t get so much persoanly.
So sorry, not the salvation army. The red cross!
The article mentioned the Salvation Army but did not list them as a place to donate to. I know personally that the Salvation Army gives to and cares for areas in need more than most of the ones listed. I can’t tell you how many missions my parents went on over the years. 99% of the time the army was still there after everyone else gave up and went home.
Thanks Joy for your feedback. They are including in the NY Times article of vetted and reputable organizations. See the last bullet for an extensive list. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Humanitarian Funds is also an excellent place to donate. 100% of your donation goes to helping victims.
The Salvation Army should go on the DO NOT DONATE list. After the Joplin tornado they still hold over $4 million + interest that belongs to the citizens of Joplin-those who were affected directly by the F-5 twister. Now, 6 years later, they have not distributed any of those funds, yet have built a brand new store. I did not lose my home, however those that did deserve that money. I wouldn’t give the SA sweat off my brow and neither should anyone else until they answer questions and pay back the money they owe to those they’ve robbed.
when people say they don’t want to send money that is used to pay salary, I think most , if not all , are objecting to the money going to ceo’s and such who are pulling in 6 and 7 figure salaries , plus the ton of cash they spend on travel and accommodations , and many of them have virtually all their expenses reimbursed . and then you see the bottom line, and the charity is only spending a very small percentage of total money received towards helping people,…. there is something wrong when the leader of a charity is pulling in millions a year in salary, and the charity is only forwarding 20-30 percent to help people,
That’s why groups like UMCOR are a great place to donate. UMCOR’s administration is supported entirely by tithes from all United Methodist Churches. When you donate to UMCOR and earmark the donation for a particular thing, 100% of that donation is used for that disaster. Here’s a link to their site. http://www.umcor.org/umcor/resources/news-stories/2017/august/0825umcorrespondstoharvey
My hard-earned money went to the Salvation Army whose CEO is paid about $60k a year and the Lutheran Disaster Relief were 100% of donations go to relief work, not salaries etc.
I agree. We have a Church group that is working together to send money and assistance to people who we know who know other people, etc. And in that way we know the money goes directly to victims.
Thank you, Jeff Jones, since that was my first thought when I began reading this article. I no longer donate to organizations who pay grossly inflated salaries to the CEO. I did, however, donate where I am completely certain my money will go 100% to the people in need.
What I heard they were asking for clothes even used. People needed to be able to change clothes, old clothes to work while repairing their homes. There is no way any charity would be able to get new items purchased and did sent to them. Charities cannot get claims filed in order to help 18,000 Plus families in a week and get money to them to purchase the clothes themselves. Charities could not purchase clothes and get it to stores for them. 1. Charities have no idea what size shoes, how many socks, shirts of a certain size each community needs. 2. Even if they knew sizes, etc. it would have been impossible to get it to where it was needed. Roads were closed and some are still closed. Airways were closed due to rain, toranadoes. I have seen churches and organizations being able to do all the above. I visited a church this weekend where many of their rooms were used for items people needed and needed them immediately. Trash bags were filled with families name where the items had been separated to their needs. Many people cannot afford to eat out etc, you explain. Even if they can that money would not be available until months of saving. Yes, I agree that money donations is a necessity. People’s first need was clothes, shoes, socks, etc. I watched the challenge at least ten hours a day. I did not see anyone complain of receiving used shoes or clothes. We know after awhile to much of anything is not good. In fact, they were saying thank you. They appreciated having any shirt so they could change from something they had on for several days. I could go on with many other stories. If there were to many Teddy Bears. Send them to hospitals, police stations, school counselors. They would like to have here for children who had been abused, fires in homes and for mavpny other needs. Yes, I think they should be paid. I also think monthly reports should be required of all non-profit organizations. A report similar to what is given in spreadsheets and not pages of paragraphs with unnecessary verbiage, or very vague comments when asked how the money given for this cause and this cause only will be spent on OUR people. A form which other businesses have to send to the IRS. If I over reacted to your article it is because my heart is full of many emotions as we see our family, friends, ex-students and strangers with so many needs. I see schools which have been totally destroyed and not able to re-open this year. Water in bottles for people who had no means to get it any other way. I apologize my comments are so random, but I do not have time to have it it in proper grammatical form. I could go on, but I will spare you. Until you have walked in the other man’s shoes…….
20-30%? Try 8 cents on the dollar! My objection has nothing to do with paying first responders. My objection is paying an inflated salary for CEOs of organizations like the Red Cross, Goodwill and United Way. No thanks.
My thoughts exactly!!!!!
I am in the thick of this disaster…I live in Kingwood, Texas which was hit hard. While I was blessed to not have water in my home, I am literally land locked…the roads in and out of Kingwood have been flooded until just the last couple of days. The areas IN Kingwood are filled with the discarded sheetrock, carpet, furniture, etc. of those homes most affected. I mention this as verification of what you say…..not only is there no room for donations of a material nature, there are very little avenues to get these donations to the people most in need. They will, however, need temporary housing (cash is king in this regard), food, clothing, etc. while repairs are made. Thank you for pointing out what should be obvious but isn’t until you are IN it.
Donna – praying for you & your community as y’all begin the long road to recovery!
Donna – thank you for your comment and feedback. I am so sorry that you are going through this. I will keep you and your community in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that more monetary donations make their way to Texas to help with clean up and rebuilding.
I don’t have money to send. If they figure out specifically what they need and where, things could be sent. Like food? I am sure someone has a place where there is food. If money is sent and food is purchased, doesn’t everyone know where to go and get food if they need it? One of the people doing the American Royal Bbq here in Kansas City is down there serving bbq to hungry folks. They need to have a place set up where people know they can go for food or diapers or formula, etc. Then that place can say what they need.
Good advice ,I hope people will take your advice.
Donations should be appreciated, what-ever they are. I will donate needed supplies but not money to pay some CEO salary.
I think to say donations should be appreciated whatever they are is so condescending. Keep your crap.
Let’s use this mentality for the Sandy Hook example. Those people should have appreciated all the stuff given, even though it caused a huge headache and logistics nightmare? I think not.
I appreciate the truth being shared. Because when we know better we do better. Let’s learn from these mistakes and do better for people who need help.
MariS is right! April, u need 2 check n2 what the CEO’s of the different places, i.e. salvation army make & then donate ur hard earned money!
Sorry April, I meant the red cross.
Money donated is spent locally, which helps the local economy get back on its feet. If I’m a mattress seller in southeast Texas, I need to sell mattresses to stay in business–not stand by and watch thousands come in on trucks and be distributed out. If the local businesses fail, the local economies are going to be seriously effected for a long time. When I worked for the Red Cross years ago we provided shelters and emergency feeding, but we wrote vouchers for the victims to take to local vendors and purchase food, new shoes and clothes, beds and bedding, eyeglasses, etc, etc. This is how a locality gets back on its feet financially.
Have you thought about the fact that without administrators these organizations would not exist? Without these organizations we would have a chaotic mass of untrained, unorganized volunteers, operating without funds or leadership?
I’m here in Houston, in the ground, doing this work. This is so true. I have volunteers sorting through donations and so much is useless. Prom dresses, winter coats, stained and tattered t shirts, etc. We have to stop taking stuff just to make the donor feel good. It’s keeping us from truly helping the people that need it.
The salvation army and the red cross keep a percentage of your donations. So you are paying for the head of the organization’s salary. United way is another one. Look these organizations up. The states with fires also need help.
The Red Cross does, but not the Salvation Army. Look up their CEOs salaries. Millions to Red Cross, less than $20,000 to Salvation Army. My money goes to NAMB disaster relief. Every single penny given goes to Texas.
Where are you getting these numbers? Current National Commander of the Salvation Army (they don’t have a CEO) makes six figures, per the Better Business Bureau.
Salvation Army was rated at 82% efficiency by Forbes. Red Cross rated at 92% efficiency by both CharityNavigator and Forbes.
Red Cross has a lot of serious issues, but the efficiency of their program expenditures isn’t really one of them…
The Salvation Army puts roughly 90 cents of every dollar into the communities that require help. They do have expenses such as maintaining and insuring vehicles used for delivery of meals and goods, or portable on-site kitchens. Nobody in that organization gets even near the salaries CEOs and Directors of some other agencies. If donations are directed to a specific area, that is where they are used. Many other agencies will not accept “directed” donations. They want donations to be put into a general fund, then decide what they will use it for, and it may not be used in the way you had intended.
This is absolutely true. You are potentially helping to pay professionals to manage programs to assist in disasters. My boyfriend is a disaster program specialist with the Red Cross. Part of your donation could be paying for him to train local volunteers before they deploy to help in Texas. You could be paying him to answer the phone and coordinate volunteers and funds at 2am because someone’s home is burning and the family needs assistance. You could be paying for his meal at the end of his 36 hour day because a natural disaster struck a small town, and he drove out without thinking about packing even a change of clothing. And yep. You absolutely could be paying into the salary of his manager or the CEO of the company to organize even more complex systems. Personally, I’m ok with all that when I make the donation though. I WANT professionals attending to our disasters and quality employees rarely can afford to work for free.
After the earthquake disaster in Haiti I would never give to the American Red Cross again. They refused to air drop tents and other necessary supplies saying that “roving gangs” would just take the supplies. With no ground support, the ARC keep most of the donations and supplied only a few modest homes rather than the thousands they promised. The Red Cross took in millions and kept it. Shame on them. Samaratians Purse is my new go to charity.
Have you thought about the fact that without administrators these organizations would not exist? Without these organizations we would have a chaotic mass of untrained, unorganized volunteers, operating without funds or leadership?
Look up the salary of the Salvation Army ceo…..something like 13,000. Salvation Army is a safe way to go.
The Salvation Army, to whom I donated, wrote that 100% of funds for Harvey relief will go to that effort. Also, they only have 4 or 5% overhead regularly.(the last I checked), anyway. Just FYI.
The Salvation Army gives 82% of donations to those in need. Only 18% goes to administration. https://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/14/200-largest-us-charities-11_rank.html
Great article! One more good thing about sending money–money recirculates. If the recipient buys baby diapers at a local store, the store then has money to pay an employee. The employee then has money to buy food. The owner of the grocery store now can buy a new mattress from Mattress Mack, who let those needing shelter sleep in his showrooms. Financial donations go round-and-round. “Sent” items, as you pointed out, actually take away from the scarce resources (unless they are items desperately needed that can’t be obtained locally in quantity. One thing that comes to mind are the semis loaded with hay for cattle and horses to tide them over until they can go back on pasture.)
Linda – thank you for your comment. You said it better than I did! Yes, the money recirculates in Texas, people can buy what they need locally with the money sent. It pays the employees and store owners.The money goes further than if we ship items which have nowhere to go. I appreciate your comment very much!
I was wondering if there is a need for a preschool director/teacher to help keep the children on tract with the school year and the parents having the freedom to be clearing out knowing that their children are safe….yes?
Yes!! There’s a Hurricane Harvey Houston Day Camp that started for this. https://greene.org/hurricane-harvey-houston-day-camp/
Still, so much more need. Many schools need supplies to be able to open. Some won’t be reopening, so students will be sent to other districts (eventually…hopefully…)
https://www.facebook.com/cycreekhs/photos/a.509135549223053.1073741828.502888486514426/1063615693775033/?type=3
Hi Ellen,
Could you expand more on your question? I know there were several schools that were a total loss. Are you looking to volunteer your time?
Well – maybe someone who uses the language well (I really don’t know what “on tract” means in the context of schools.) – but the teachers are still here. Some of their homes were flooded, and some of the schools were flooded, but it seems to me that a little lost “kindergarten teacher/preschool director” from elsewhere would be taking up space and resources and a job from someone who already HAS that job…
Sat here crying as I read your article. It is so spot on and you tell it like it is. That is not ranting. Thank you, Amy, for writing this article. As it has been shared expect many others will tell you the same. Seeing so many people helping each other, saving lives and rescuing animals shows we still have many people with good hearts, souls and empathy.
Dee – thank you so much for your comment and kind words. I agree that seeing people helping others does show that there is good in the world.
Good morning,
It’s 3am and I sit here in a motel because my home is flooded and as yet am unable to access it to assess the damage. I know it will be complete and extensive.
Yes this post is spot on. I am fortunate, I am independently dealing with Harvey. I have the means and mobility to do so.
The immediate needs of those in the shelter are very basic and are best being met by professionals augmented with volunteers . There are still, today, active lifesaving rescues taking place.
If you can, send money to any of the various relief organizations. They are boots on the ground, shit sleeves rolled up, get it done people. Or come and volunteer your manpower. The task before us is daunting.
Personally, I am overwhelmed with decisions to make, actions to take. Fortunately my company has provided me with numbers and links to organizations to help me. And there are people volunteering their vehicles and muscles to help. We need more 🙂
Dollars directed to people ready and able to provide assistance seems – to me – the most sensible, straight forward way to help. It’s not impersonal, it is desperately needed.
Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers. They too are desperately need and give us comfort.
God bless us all!
Thank you for your comment and for sharing your story. I will indeed keep you and the rest of the community in my prayers. I hope this post helps send more monetary donations to relief organizations who are helping. Blessings to you!
Nicely put with great ideas to help without adding to the burden of those in need and those who are trained to help. I used to be one that thought we should send money AND things they may need. Your explanation and Newtown teddy bears story has changed the way I will think of helping people. I also like your ideas on how kids can raise money to help.
Thanks Carmen. I appreciate your comment very much and am so glad it made an impression. I hope that others will see that raising money is a way of doing something. Thank you again for taking the time to read and comment!!
Great information. It’s hard to hear that the stuff we do to make us feel good is not the right thing for the people in need. I did see a news segment of a girl on top of this huge pile of clothes looking for extra large. It was a mess. Thanks for reminding us how to actually help
Thanks Rhonda for your comment. I know that people really want to help. I hope this helps point them in the right direction.
To those who object to donating money because it just “pays someone’s salary” I would ask, “How do expect the relief organization to function if no salaries are paid?”. Many of these organizations have vast armies of volunteers, but it requires paid staff to keep the overall organization functioning during and between disasters. Having a talented, experienced, CEO will make the organization more efficient, better able to use the resources donated. Having a talented, experienced CEO requires paying one a competitive salary. So really, having that talented, experienced CEO is an investment in the organization that makes the organization better. Just purchasing warehouse space or large trucks, organizations need resources in the people area as well. So yes, a portion of your donation will go towards the administration of the organization. But look at it this way. If you want to donate money and not have any of it go towards administrative overhead, then get on an airplane, fly as close to Houston as you can get, rent a car, drive to the affected area, find someone in need and hand them the money you desire to donate. They will appreciate it. You will hear kind words and probably get a hug.
Thanks Stan for your feedback. I very much appreciate you taking the time to comment!
The Houston Food Bank is open as of last Wednesday.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/best-intentions-when-disaster-relief-brings-anything-but-relief/
THIS is why cash donations to the aforementioned charities are the best. Thanks from Houston.
Thanks Chris for your feedback. I very much appreciate you taking the time to comment and the article shared.
Are you in Texas? I am! You are not correct. They desperately need formula and diapers. And hay for the cattle in south Texas. We don’t need amy more bottled water but could use cleaning supplies and large trash bags. The stores were destroyed too in many communities.
The #1 most useless thing you can do is send your “stuff”.
2nd most useless thing … sending your “thoughts and prayers”.
“The rest of Texas” does not “remain unscathed.” Rockport, Aransas Pass and Port Aransas have been flattened, devastated and some left without any building untouched.
Thanks Pam for your feedback. I never meant to exclude the surrounding areas or those affected outside of Houston. But that was my mistake and I will fix it. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it!
This post is the most helpful information I have seen yet. I too , thought about buying something to donate to be sure I knew where the money was spent. Now I have put away that thought and will just send money to a trusted organization. Most people probably feel like giving JUST cash is COLD, but as this article states, the trained people know what they need and how to provide the necessary items without having to store or sort things that really don’t help. But is is worth checking out who is a non-profit and who is in it for a sizable paycheck., and this article provided that too. Thank you.
It’s not an easy thing to hear from this article’ s author Amy Smith but it’s likely to be true and applicable to ongoing hunger relief. For example, I so service projects through Seattle OneBrick a volunteer scheduling nonprofit that seems great at operations (deploying people). One of the recipients of volunteers, Foodline, a major food donation warehouse, explained that they have a surplus of food just not enough labor and supervisors to sort it. Logistics is a huge bottleneck. Funding operations makes sense. Thanks Amy Smith for writing an article that is much needed but hard for the audience to hear. Opinions are my own and do not represent One Brick or Foodline.
This article is well intended, but still, it is so very misleading. I’d like to share some perspective from here in Texas. I live about an hour and a half from Houston, in one of the counties affected by Harvey, and while I’m very lucky to have not had the destruction so many have, our family and friends haven’t been so lucky.
1. Houston wasn’t the only area impacted by Harvey, so when the author states, “The rest of Texas remains unscathed and prepared to store and deliver supplies on demand from nearby cities. Thereby, reducing further burden on the city of Houston,” it’s not only entirely incorrect, it further reinforces people’s beliefs that everywhere else along the coast is fine. Which it is not. It is not in so many ways. Over 50 counties, including so many small towns, have been devastated, completely wiped off the map. 2. It’s true that many people make well intended donations that actually wind up clogging up the process (some clothes are a good example), but people down here are in desperate need of diapers, tampons, pads, deodorant, day to day essentials, and water in many areas. The water in several cities have been contaminated. They’ve relocated thousands of students to other universities in Texas. While it may cost more to ship water and diapers because of the space they take (this comes into play more when speaking to out of country disasters; it’s more efficient to have water purifying equipment in Africa than it is to ship bottled water), the people across the country, volunteering their own time and money to help with the relief, are what we need to see more of in this world. 3. Texas has experienced the mismanagement of donations before… It’s not so much that people don’t want salaries of first responders to be paid, it’s when CEO’s of large corporations monopolize on disasters to pad their accounts that lead people to being even more downtrodden. Our local Texas/Mexico grocery store chain, HEB, has a disaster relief fleet with mobile kitchens that deployed and made it to many locations before the Red Cross felt they could respond. HEB is a private owned company that won’t accept donations to them (though they help coordinate donations from the people to the people – not funneling through the chain), but they still donated over 35,000 meals this week to people who had lost everything.
So, Houston isn’t the only place that needs your stuff, your stuff should be intentionally given (if you have the means), and monetary donations are still so, so helpful and appreciated (Samaritan’s Purse was listed as an option in the article-they’re a great organization).
Here’s an example of an area school in need of supplies. https://www.facebook.com/cycreekhs/photos/a.509135549223053.1073741828.502888486514426/1063615693775033/?type=3
Thanks Sara for your feedback. I never meant to exclude the surrounding areas or those affected outside of Houston. Thanks for taking the time to comment and offer context. I appreciate it!
There is also a huge fire around Tujunga and La Crescenta in Calif.
Last I heard it was at 8000 acres and only 10% contained.
I am also sending a check to Samaritan’s Purse in addition to what my chuch collected for them this morning.
I remember seeing photos of appliances being bulldozed when too many came at the wrong time to the wrong places … I trust Salvation Army (low CEO salaries and lots of very dedicated staff year round..), someone mentioned Mennonite Disaster and they have a good reputation for sacrificial help, and Samaritan’s Purse — with several of its trucks already on sites. I also am concerned about the outlying communities in both TX and Louisiana … and the consequences of the Montana fires… I do love it that people are pitching in to help and that we are not forgetting to set aside time to pray — the relief effort is larger than what human minds can figure out justly etc… and it’s wise to ask for the Lord’s help. I am glad Sunday was declared a Day for Prayer. Thank you for the article and I agree, where we do not see a specific request for items at a specific location, a donation can do a lot of good in this world.
So much stuff! Everywhere!! Meanwhile people are trying to EMPTY their homes of stuff that needs to be hauled away to wherever the hundred of tons of flooded house guts will go. Stop sending food, stop sending water. Send money. There are places with water already stacked to the ceiling. A local restaurant with a flooded dining room, but unscathed kitchen is receiving food from all over, preparing it with volunteers and essentially “catering” for the thousands in the shelters. Even the restaurant is full to the brim with perishables that are starting to expire. Stop sending diapers, stop sending, towels. Send money. Never mind that none of us can get gas here. I tried to evacuate two days ago to escape the helicopters and sirens and frog serenades and flood nightmares that are now interrupting my sleep more than the winds, rain, or tornado alerts ever did. But, with no gas available for purchase, people are scared and stuck, as new evacuations are still being called even as I write this. If those people are lucky enough to find gas for their car and they’re lucky enough to have one car that escaped the flood, they can’t get on the road for dry ground because of all the traffic. There are hundreds of civilians, coming from all over, rolling up with horse trailers and flat beds full of varied donations, Upon arrival they post to local Facebook groups, “Where do I take this?” They just drove hundreds or thousands of miles with no plan for where or how to deliver there stuff. When they ask where to take it, I want to say, “Home! Sell it in your local flea market. Then. Send. Money.” Instead they’re wanting to dump it on people that are trying to gut and empty their homes of moldy drywall and soggy furniture. They don’t need more to pack as they try to figure out where to go. Sure, our well-intentioned neighbors from outside the disaster zone can drive their trailer-o-stuff to the shelters. But, that pile has already grown so large they had to stop collecting at the GRB Conv. Ctr. and reroute donations to BBVA Stadium across the street, home to our MLS team, the Houston Dynamo. Now they need even more volunteers to receive, sort, transport and distribute those items – from negligées (yes, really) to winter coats – in 99* heat. Do you want to stay for a couple days and help sort? We need the help!! Unless you want to come and work, please just send money. And if you’re coming from afar to lend a hand, take your neighbors’ money before you leave and bring us that. Of course we are heartened by the love from all over the world. I wish we had six soccer stadiums and 1,000 people to sort the diapers from DVDs (yes, really) so all of this love could be spread to everyone in need. But, we don’t. The only things we have in excess are flood water, destroyed homes, displaced families and other people’s stuff. As far Rockport or Baytown and all the little towns, know this: when folks down here say, “Houston,” we mean all of it. Southeast Texans are kind and welcoming to all of our neighbors, near and far. (Watch Anthony Bourdain’s ‘Parts Unknown’ in Houston and you’ll immediately understand.) I assume the same generalization applies to the national news. Yesterday they were all broadcasting that Trump was in “Houston,” when to my knowledge he never actually stepped foot in the city limits, focusing instead on the smaller shelters in our suburbs and neighboring towns. To all those that think the little towns have been forgotten by everyone, I assure you that they are very well remembered in the city of Houston’s recovery efforts. Even at the “Midtown” (downtown Houston) restaurant I was working last night, food was being prepared for the smaller shelters in outlying communities. Additionally, H-E-B is a huge Texan grocer and they have mobile kitchens set up feeding hot meals to thousands in remote areas. Shower trucks and fuel tankers have also been dispatched to those outlying communities. Believe it or not, some of those little places west of us are currently further along in the recovery process than some of the wealthiest Houstonians. Millionaires in Houston are being evacuated this morning, as their homes, in an area we call “Memorial”, slip farther under water. Some places, however, still can’t receive help because the roads to them are blocked by both flood waters and stuff. If you pray, pray for my city. But first, send money.
Just got home from a United Methodist Church…We are making floodbuckets and giving money to UMCOR. I am so glad to see you mentioned those two places as legit. UMCOR has no CEO”s. All money $100% goes to the places that are needed.
Amy,
Thank you for taking the time to write this article & providing links for those who are wanted to donate and help.
We did a donation drive after Katrina, and ending having a garage sale for most of the items that were donated. Peoples hearts were in the right place, but the items donated were of no use in relief efforts.
As I sit in Austin, I am constantly on the look out for ways to help the affected areas across Texas. If folks feel strongly about not giving to certain organizations, there are numerous ways you can donate & know that it is having a direct impact on those affected.
Wishing all those affected, first responders & volunteers much love.
At first thought, I, too,thought about sending “stuff”. And then I thought further. Money helps more than stuff.
Thank you!
In addition to time and money already donated, next week all Catholics are asked to donate funds for recovery efforts. All Catholics step up to make the work of the Texas charities lighter, our churches, schools , convents, hospitals were on the scene before during and now after this tragedy. Give money, not ‘ stuff at this point.
I donated to the Houston SPCA for the animals that are in need. Great organization.
We are from Oklahoma and there are many of our local churches teaming with churches in the disaster areas that ARE asking for specific items…water, trash bags, bug spray, toiletries, diapers, formula, just to name a few. These churches are distributing the items personally, preparing meals, volunteering, and most of all, sharing the gospel and the love of Christ to those in need. I see where sending “things” can become a problem but when there are groups asking for specific items, there’s nothing wrong with donating to them. The church we have teamed with sends us daily video of people being served and helped with the donations sent. Money is great but when you go to the local store or gas station to buy supplies and their shelves are empty, cash in hand doesn’t pay off. People want to help, it’s how God designed is. When you feel led to donate, check with your community churches, schools or police dept and I’m confident they can help you find out what the greatest need is and how to help.
I do not blame people for wanting to donate tangible items over cash (thanks for making people feel bad about that by the way). It has been shown over and over again that cash money is often misappropriated by numerous “non-profit” organizations. I am sending tangible supplies to a friend in a small town in Texas who I know will get them to average homeowners, who are often overlooked.
If I lost everything I owned, I am sure I would appreciate any donation I could get. Thanks to all of those who have been volunteering your time, energy, love, and donations!
Amy, thank you for writing this informative article! I suppose in our rush to be of some kind of immediate help, we automatically think about sending clothes and other items, not even considering if there will be a place to store it all. Like so many others, I have been praying about helping the flood victims in Texas, and was having a hard time deciding if it would be best to send material items or money. However, your words have helped me see the situation more clearly and to realize that giving financially might do far more good than any material donation that I might make. And, isn’t that what each of us wants – to give where it’s needed the most!
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38
Sorry Amt but I beg to differ with you. The floodwaters are receding, not increasing, the schools are slated to open the second week of September. The trash trucks are moving again. Homes are already being gutted and rebuilt. Whoever told you that Houston doesn’t need “that stuff”, I believe doesn’t live in Texas.
After being there during and after the Joplin MO tornado in 2011 I can vouch for unwanted clothing furnishings etc. All the major shelters and churches had giant tents full of the stuff that no one wanted. It was horrible. It all ended up in the landfill.
Being just north of Houston, I have read this type of post over and over from volunteers working at shelters. I personally am not donating to any agency. Where I work, there are several families displaced by Harvey. I am donating directly to this families. My suggestion is to ask family, friends, and co-workers — they most likely know someone directly impacted. Based on your trust level with these persons, you may choose to do the same as I. Odds are there are very few degrees of separation between you and a Texan in need. I found four degrees of separation between myself and the family of six that drowned in their van during Harvey.
You can also ask friends if they know someone directly to help. With 3+ million of us Houston and surrounding area, your bound to know a handful of friends who know someone who lives down here. Ask to fill a need specifically, sponsor a person/family if you will. Ask what they need and where they can send it to. There are COUNTLESS folks who will need a bed to sleep in, new sheets, work clothes, car seats, and the list goes on and on.
Send money! Are the people with kids going to get some money to buy needed items. How can the get to the store to get diapers, baby formula, pillows, blankets, tooth brushes, ladies personal needs. Where & how are they going to buy that. Their car is under water. Their house is under water. I understand not sending used items but personal items are needed. How much of the money will go to the people & how do they get it from? I’m more than confused!!
These are great words of advice and I hope people will listen. My son is a helicopter pilot in W. TX and went to Houston and surrounding areas last Tuesday with a few other pilots. They delivered blood, doctors and supplies, and thousands of meals, to hospitals and shelters that were inaccessible by ground. They also spent hours searching for people stranded on roofs, and pushing thousands of head of cattle and horses, in neck-deep water, to higher ground. From their pictures it was obvious that even those shelters that were surrounded by lots of water had PLENTY of clothes and STUFF even early last week. Those pilots donated their time and costs (and they would do it again in a heartbeat), but knowing how much it cost them to operate all week, even with their fuel being donated, I completely agree with what you say that monetary donations are without a doubt the best thing to do, even if it goes to paying someone’s salary. The humanitarian organizations need quality people to lead, organize and direct. That is more than a full-time job. Thanks for putting this out there!
Thank you!!! We drove to a disaster years ago to help. Unbelievable the “stuff” people would send. That’s where they put most of us sorting the “stuff” !! Very little people even in distress would wear. Food and water we watched as cars with several people, sent in one by one to take advantage. Pay the experienced helpers to manage, purchase and distribute what these people need .
I agree with everything in this post, with one exception. If everyone diverted donations to their favorite charities, there would be even more people hurting across the country. Small nonprofits depend on their loyal donors.
How about the Houston Food Bank? If I missed it, I apologize.
Ben – absolutely. They are listed in the link of the last bullet. This link has a long list of options for people to choose from.
How about the Houston Food Bank? You can still donate. They will be back shortly. And they will be needed for a long time.
North American Mission Board is another organization who has dispatched teams of relief workers from Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. Donations can be made online at https://www.namb.net/send-relief/disaster-relief
Yes, Sandy! I was going to mention Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. 100% donated goes out because the administrative costs are already covered. They coordinate with local churches, Red Cross, and Salvation Army to feed, mud out, chainsaw, chaplaincy, and child care with trained volunteers.
Roark, there are apartment communities from big to small who are moving people around to make room for those in need.
My house was spared but I had two friends who were not as lucky.
They were reccomend to Fat Property by their realtor. They have units all over inside the 610 loop. Most are older though. Like the small garden style place. So maybe not a perfect fit for those used to more luxury digs.
But their apartments sure beat shelling out for a hotel (if you can find one) or sleeping in your car.
Last update I got was they had some units left but that may have changed by now.
While everyone talks about Houston……what about all the other cities? The ones who were obliterated?………the small towns that no one talks about………please remember those.
Thanks Diane for your feedback. I never meant to exclude the surrounding areas or those affected outside of Houston. But that was my mistake and I will fix it. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it!
People need sheets, pillows, blankets and clothes while they’re in the shelters. Then when they are moved to temporary housing, what are they supposed to wear. They don’t just get money for clothes handed to them.
One specific exception to this very valid advice is sealed, sterile specialty medical supplies. There are organizations like http://www.littlelobbyists.org/Harvey/ who are collecting cash and medical supply donations for medically complex children. They have collection and distribution logistics already coordinated, so there’s no worry about sending items that can’t be stored.
There are a number of charity tracking sites like Charity Navigator that will show all of those details concerning a charity, including the percentages that go towards administrative costs. I had recently wanted to donate to a cancer research organization in honor of someone who passed away, and through Charity Navigator, I was able to find one that used 85% of their donations towards research. And that’s not the only site that offers that. So with a little bit of effort, it is very easy to find information concerning charities if people want to avoid paying for CEO salaries and the like.
There is actually a specific article on the above site with links to the charities (and ratings) offering help for Hurricane Harvey relief.
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=5239&from=homepage
This is valuable information, as are the responses by various people. People do donate ‘things’ with the best intentions, imagining that they will go directly to where the items are needed, but in the midst of a crisis it is difficult, at best, to sort through and distribute items. The ‘Where To Donate’ section is much appreciated.
While I understand your message, I think you’re choosing to ignore all of the smaller charities that are requesting items and would benefit from the help. There are diaper banks asking for diapers. There are schools asking for children’s clothes for the students. There are food banks asking for formula.
Yes, money to charities can also help them get those supplies, but not everyone is able to donate money. The thing you also have to consider is that people read articles like yours and decide not to help at all. If it’s a waste to send supplies, and if the Red Cross is mismanaging disaster relief donations, then why do anything at all? It’s a nice excuse for people to twiddle their thumbs. Maybe you should have better things to do than criticize those who are trying to help.
For those people who are interested in actually helping and not looking for excuses to do nothing, here’s a link to the Black Women’s Defense League. They’re looking for supplies to help flood victims. You can mail supplies yourself, or you can order and ship from Amazon. Here is their list of needs to help people affected by the flood:
https://www.facebook.com/blackwomensdefenseleague/posts/1602605389792453
Thanks Becky for your feedback. There is a long list of small and large charities in the last bullet. I’ll update the article to make that easier to find. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!
First I thank you for your thoughtful comments. A moment of disclosure… I am a professional disaster responder, Most of the comments made are valid. A volunteer , if paid, is no longer a :volunteer”. Donated items are a 2nd wave of disaster, a logistics nightmare. Each item has to be sterilized to prevent transmission of viruses, etc. no matter where it comes from. Most food stuff may need to be refrigerated and stored in a “bug” proof environment. (it is better to purchase foods as they are needed) Money can be mishandled, poorly managed and allocated. Review all relief charities yourself to decide how you would like your donation to be used. Check with the Better Business Bureau (Nation wide) and the state of Texas or any state that has disasters currently needing relief.
Finally, let’s talk about volunteers. In my line of business, they are called “SUV’s” Spontaneous Unaffiliated Volunteers. Meaning, well intentioned people of all kinds and ages, who really want to help, in some way, some how, and are not associated with a recognized volunteer organization, such as Red Cross, etc.
Does this mean you can’t or shouldn’t volunteer? Absolutely not!! However, you need to prepare yourself to stand in line, filling out a lot of paperwork. Most, if not all volunteers go through a background check before being allowed to have interaction with anyone, even other volunteers, to screen out those who may not be appropriate for social interaction with others. I would recommend that if you want to help others no matter where they are to talk with your local VOAD (volunteer organizations aiding in disasters) which you may find on line or at your county or major city levels. These groups are recognized to work in these areas and will train you up in areas most needed. Most volunteers will have to pay for their own transportation, housing and food, including water, So ask yourself, ARE YOU AN ASSET OR A LIABILITY? While I have the skills, I am not physically capable to take care of myself and if there was another turn in the event..more water.. I then become another liability to everyone. It is better for them and me to stay here and help from here. Training others, doing background checks, arranging logistics, finding funding. Thanks to IT, we can do so much more from far away! I specifically manage volunteers and mass sheltering along with Public Information. I did work in Emergency Management through Katrina, Sandy, major mud slide in Oso, trained others for quantum earthquakes and tsunamis along with potential evacuations. If you have questions, I can at least tell you where you may find the answer or person that may answer it, This response will last years, then it will be replaced with another! Prepare yourself, your family and your neighborhood to what might come next. I pray for all that are suffering, in harms way and feel overwhelmed with their losses.
First I thank you for your thoughtful comments. A moment of disclosure… I am a professional disaster responder, Most of the comments made are valid. A volunteer , if paid, is no longer a :volunteer”. Donated items are a 2nd wave of disaster, a logistics nightmare. Each item has to be sterilized to prevent transmission of viruses, etc. no matter where it comes from. Most food stuff may need to be refrigerated and stored in a “bug” proof environment. (it is better to purchase foods as they are needed) Money can be mishandled, poorly managed and allocated. Review all relief charities yourself to decide how you would like your donation to be used. Check with the Better Business Bureau (Nation wide) and the state of Texas or any state that has disasters currently needing relief.
Finally, let’s talk about volunteers. In my line of business, they are called “SUV’s” Spontaneous Unaffiliated Volunteers. Meaning, well intentioned people of all kinds and ages, who really want to help, in some way, some how, and are not associated with a recognized volunteer organization, such as Red Cross, etc.
Does this mean you can’t or shouldn’t volunteer? Absolutely not!! However, you need to prepare yourself to stand in line, filling out a lot of paperwork. Most, if not all volunteers go through a background check before being allowed to have interaction with anyone, even other volunteers, to screen out those who may not be appropriate for social interaction with others. I would recommend that if you want to help others no matter where they are to talk with your local VOAD (volunteer organizations aiding in disasters) which you may find on line or at your county or major city levels. These groups are recognized to work in these areas and will train you up in areas most needed. Most volunteers will have to pay for their own transportation, housing and food, including water, So ask yourself, ARE YOU AN ASSET OR A LIABILITY? While I have the skills, I am not physically capable to take care of myself and if there was another turn in the event..more water.. I then become another liability to everyone. It is better for them and me to stay here and help from here. Training others, doing background checks, arranging logistics, finding funding. Thanks to IT, we can do so much more from far away! I specifically manage volunteers and mass sheltering along with Public Information. I did work in Emergency Management through Katrina, Sandy, major mud slide in Oso, trained others for quantum earthquakes and tsunamis along with potential evacuations. If you have questions, I can at least tell you where you may find the answer or person that may answer it, This response will last years, then it will be replaced with another! Prepare yourself, your family and your neighborhood to what might come next. I pray for all that are suffering, in harms way and feel overwhelmed with their losses.
It’s too bad. Articles like this turn me off to doing anything to help. Perhaps you shoikd think about that before you post. I’m sure someone could use clothes.
Please alert everyone who gives money in times of disasters to please look up the rating of the charity they plan to give to. It may take a while to look this online, but I found one that you recommend is not up to others ratings. Do your own research, and while we all want to help those in our dear Texas, let’s also keep in mind those suffering from flooding in southern asia.
Great advise. Sharing with people. I lost our home and almost everything else in wildfires in Southern California along with 3000 other homes in our fire. People brought us all kinds of stuff. We learned graciously accepted because it helped them feel like they were helping. We didn’t even have a place to put it. We had to find a place to rent long term as we figured out what to do. Took several months. 98% of it got donated to Goodwill. Cash to good charities is the best. There are a lot of good ones out there. You have great ideas for children too! Did have a friend give us one of his guitars as we lost 3 in the fire. Strumming the guitar got me thru some of the difficult times as we assessed out new lives. Still think that friend when I see or play that guitar 15 years later.
I would like to comment to the people that are afraid to send money and should send unnecessary items your local blood center is a great place to donate something that doesn’t cost you any money just a little bit of your time. There are more desasters going on all over the country and blood is something that is always in short supply yet only a small percentage of the population actually donates blood. Just a little food for thought.
Thank you for this. I found your article while searching for “toiletries Houston”. I live in Houston and made it thru high and dry. I want to be out helping my neighbors tear out wet carpet, sheet rock, and baseboards before their homes mold. What am I doing? Sitting at my kitchen table sorting bag after bag of random toiletries, some of them used and dirty. A well-meaning stranger(s) just dropped them off at our church. We didn’t ask for them. We have no room for them, so I temporarily stored them in my car. Now they cover my kitchen table. I imagine someone here in Houston could use them. I am trying to match these with someone somewhere. Moral: Please donate cash in disasters like these. It is put to immediate use. If you must donate goods, I ask that you don’t just assume what someone might need. Please make sure you have a recipient ready and willing to accept whatever material items you intend to send.
JJ Watt Houston Flood Relief Fund
For: Victims of Hurricane Harvey
Houston, TX
Organizer: JJ Watt https://www.youcaring.com/victimsofhurricaneharvey-915053
I’ve seen lots of posts about people asking “where to donate”. My advice, pick a small town. I’m afraid so much will go to the larger hit areas, but the little guys need lots of love too! Some of us might not be able to help monetary wise but we can all help in other ways. The needs are there now and the needs will still be there for a long time to come.
It’s not just Houston.
It’s also:
Simonton
West Columbia
Richmond
Rosenberg
Kingwood
Wharton
Seadrift
Refugio
Palacios
Bay City
Port Lavaca
Blessing
TPO
Midfield
ROCK PORT
Port Comfort
Port O’Connor
Lolita
Olivia
Buna
Lumberton
Beaumont
Vidor
Winnie
Hull
Daisetta
Raywood
Dayton
Batson
Saratoga
Rye
Thicket
Votaw
Cleveland
New caney
Porter
Splendora
Humble
Huffman
Livingston
Tarkington
Cypress
Woodlands
Conroe
Liberty
Hardin
Shepherd
Crosby
Baytown
Mauriceville
Nederland
Port Arthur
Port Neches
Port Acres
Fannett
Labelle
Hampshire
Orange
Bridge City
Orangefield
Groves
Angleton
Clute
Lake Jackson
West Columbia
Brazoria
Sweeny
Wild Peach
East Bernard
Port Aransas
La Grange
Columbus
Warren
Kountze
Woodville
Newton
Sour Lake
Thanks Betsy for your feedback. I never meant to exclude the surrounding areas or those affected outside of Houston. But that was my mistake and I will fix it. Thanks for taking the time to list all the cities individually. I appreciate it!
I donated through Wal-Mart in Arizona. They agree doubling the cash that is donated.
When someone commented about not donating to pay someone salary, they probably meant the $500,000+ paid to The American Red Cross CEO. I donate to The Salvation Army, where the CEO makes less than one twentieth of that.
Charity Navigator rates the charities by objective compliance measures. Sadly, The Salvation Army has failed to comply. Your local Synagogues, Churches, Temples and Mosques that are taking donations have aid programs.
why not use your wasted time writing this article to volunteer!!!!!
A well written, direct article. Donating money sometimes feels impersonal, yet, when in the right hands gives specific relief and comfort.
Thank you for the specific links for donations, and to the folks who replied, reminding us that many cities and states are dealing with natural disasters(wildfires, for example).
In what ever way we can open our hearts and hands to show mercy, we should.
I agree that money is needed I also believe that folks who are donating water and diapers etc. Are very necessary. Having the items in a central area for pickup leaves more time for othet things. I think upon further questioning would have produced a better article.
I can understand what you are saying, but I wonder what will happen if everyone read this and stops donating supplies. Maybe they don’t feel comfortable donating money. Not real sure how I feel about this. Maybe the diapers, water, cleaning supplies and new Underware I donated are in a pile somewhere only to be tossed. I understand the clothing somewhat. But if these people have lost everything as we are being told, why are these supplies not being distributed to the people who have list everything and no means to purchase these items.
Amy,
As a person who has worked in disaster and crisis management for over 40 years, congrats on your blog. You speak the real truth about a situation that sometimes doesn’t make sense. Collecting money and sending it to an organization makes sense. I live in Mobile, Alabama, and saw how much people wanted to help by sending their used clothing that sometimes wasn’t worth sending. It is sad when people drop off unusable items to the local shelters or thrift shops on a daily basis, with rips and tears and holes in them, or stains all over. We need to be respectful of the situation and determine what they need. Donate to a local organization in the state, and not a national organization as that money will not always go toward direct services. It is the local agencies who will be there long-term, not the Salvation Army nor the American Red Cross. Their time span is short-lived. Local agencies have been there and will be there somewhere in Texas to help for life.
Great suggestions. I would add one more. 500 families lost their homes in La Grange, just down the road from where I live in central Texas. A local Jr High took up a collection of “stuff” for the families. I went to Walmart and bought a handful of gift cards. That way, each family receiving one can go to their local Walmart and get exactly what they need, rather than what others think they might need.
Thanks Joe for your efforts and for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!
UGGGGHHHH I BEG TO PARDON WITH THIS . People… Research where you give donations as I’ve learned THE RED CROSS gives .30 cents out of every dollar donated and THE SALVATION ARMY TOO pays their top dogs waaaay too much for charity organizations !!! GIVE MONEY TO CBN THE 700 CLUB THEY GIVE 100% TO THE PEOPLE AND NOT TO MENTION THEIR FOOD DOESNT HAVE MAGETS IN IT LIKE THE RED CROSS DID . Sorry but CBN 700 Club has my heart and money ! ❤️🙏🇺🇸
I do not send “stuff” I donate money, but not to the big organizations. Like many people who mentioned here, I won’t give to line the pockets of CEO’s. I look into the small Not-For-Profit organizations in the areas that are in need. I donated to the Texas Diaper Bank because they were running out of diapers for all the babies that have been displaced. They service every city, town, etc that has been hit by the storm and “100% of every donation will go to disaster relief efforts along the Texas coast”. Some people cannot afford to give money, as they are in dire straits themselves, but want to help. Looking for agencies that take certain types of items that are local to them can be given, so the agency can send directly to where the item is most needed. I think doing research and figuring out how individuals can best help with their own resources, and keeping true to their own ideals is the best way to go.
I am currently a resident of the Houston area and a long time resident of Southington. This writer has a number of valid points, especially in relation to the concentrated efforts in the greater Houston area. One of the hardest thing for people to grasp is the sheer size of the impact. The greater Houston square mile area is larger then the whole state of Connecticut. Areas devastated include close to 500 miles of coast both East and West of Houston.
The areas in most need are the small, lower income refinery and chemical industry towns east of Houston, in and around Port Aurther/Beaumont.
In the case of needs there, rescue workers are struggling to get needed supplies in. In this case only larger, reputable organizations such as the Red Cross will be able to coordinate. Time and efforts are wasted on receiving, sorting and storing random items. Unless you are a large water distribution company that can send a truck full of just water to a coordinated point with an organization, it may be clogging up the works.
That said, please know we DO need you to stay engaged and donate items, just more concentrated. One amazing idea that helps with the need to know exactly where the money is going is to Adopt a School. There are a number of schools still under water and everything is lost.
Here in TX, the teachers buy most of their supplies themselves or donation from families and the kids are required to buy all of their supplies for the year from pencils and folders to hand sanitizer to Kleenex. 50-75 dollars worth for each child. We started back to school a week before Harvey hit. This is all lost.
I am currently working with a small elementary school in Orange TX, East of Houston in one of the worst hit areas. They need our help. I have been in contact with the Principal and Special Ed teachers (who have unique needs their own) they were in tears that someone who does not know them would help.
I would love to help coordinate Southington schools or churches wanting to adopt a school. The main point of contact is the Principal themselves and they will provide a list of items specifically needed. So, you are not sending things not needed and you know they are going directly to the school and kids that need it!
If any principal, head of PTA, church, girl/boy scout group would be interested, I can give you more information, just email me at samjdiam@gmail.com.
Samantha
I think several people have already point this out. (Just a note before we start: I live in San Antonio). Houston is not the only place hit by Harvey. In fact, it was one of the last places to be hit by Harvey. Now, because of the historic flooding, it made the news more than other towns/cities in Texas. But look up pictures of Rockport where Harvey landed. Look at other coastal towns. They’re pretty much gone. Nothing left, leveled, flooded out, gone. They need items. They are asking for items. San Antonio is asking for items because we’re currently giving shelter to 1,000 plus evacuees as are other places in Texas where Harvey didn’t hit. We need items (the school where I teach just got done with a massive food/clothing /diapers/water/pet supply drive that the local food bank asked for). Yes, be sure actually donate what the places need and are asking for and don’t just give random stuff. And make sure it’s new and unused. A lot of places are just asking for money and were especially emphasizing that when the hurricane first hit. But now that people have a better idea of what is actually needed, they are asking for items. Those trucks hauling items in are not wasting people’s time. So while you make an excellent point that teddy bears and used sweatshirts are not what people need right now, don’t throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater. If you can, donate items organizations are calling for. If you can, donate money organizations are calling for. Most importantly, stay up to date about the situation and the devastation (all of it) caused by Harvey.
Thanks Regina for your feedback. I never meant to exclude the surrounding areas or those affected outside of Houston. But that was my mistake and I will fix it. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it!
While I understand what was said. There is group of people that these organizations don’t have the supplies to give them as they are specialized. That is the medically fragile group of children and adults. A lot of them are on life saving equipment. The supplies they use you won’t find with the red cross or salvation army. The supply companies themselves are underwater. Money will not get them what they need. Those of us that have a medically fragile family member know exactly what these families need. These families need more than just the basics. Please don’t speak for everyone in the areas hit by this disaster. We already fight for every little thing we get. Let’s not make it harder.
Everyone keeps talking about Houston let me tell you something I’m from Victoria Texas lots of people have got displaced from their apartments me and my husband are disabled what are we supposed to do we have until Wednesday
The American Red Cross has been criticized in recent years for heavy internal spending rather than allocating donated funds to disaster relief.
A 2014 investigation by Propublica found that the American Red Cross spent 26% of its budget on fundraising.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley did an examination of the American Red Cross finances in a report released this year to the Senate . It found that after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the American Red Cross received $487 million in contributions and they spent $124 million of that on management, general and fundraising expenses. Some $360 million actually reached Haiti relief efforts. Furthermore, the Red Cross pledge to build 700 replacement homes in a particular area of Haiti. In the end they managed only to build a total of six!
I have no problem with what the author is stating here about needs for the Southeast Texas region. I have donated to the Salvation Army, which I feel has a better financial reputation than the American Red Cross.
Please do not reallocate your donation. This organization still needs your financial support…. dig deeper in your pocket….
So spot on. I grew up in Florida and we have always been hit by Hurricanes. The worst one I remember was in Miami. We had several friends that lost it all. They had to live in a camper for over 6 months so they could keep people from looting their homes. The biggest outcome I noticed was the traumatic experience the family suffered from this event. They really did not worry about clothes, or things only the things they could not find or were destroyed. A great reminder of how to help those who help others in traumatic situations. We worry sometimes about giving monetary cash as a relief to such organizations, this is not the time to fix that problem but we have so many choices available to us now. We could easily have someone from our areas that we live in set up a fund account and then send someone trustworthy to take our funds for us to the right people and make sure it is put in the right hands. Where there is a deep concern, we will find a way and not excuses. Yes, I agree some help agencies or organizations are not fully for the victims but that should never deter us from doing our duty to our fellow man. It means we must be concerned enough to find the best way for all. We are the only means to make a difference in another’s life at such times and many times I have seen others give of things that they do not really need or care for only to soothe the conscience of the giver. It is such a selfish act and no love involved. Love requires sacrifice and it requires us to give according to the need. The need for housing, food, and rescue are not for the untrained. We do what we must but we need to realize that the trained make it easier for the victims. They have the time, resources, education, and talent to do what most fail to do. They are deserving of salary as well to do such. It does not make them users of the system it makes them better servers in the system. When we had been hit by the hurricanes in Florida it was a nightmare and price gaugers were all around us asking 20 bucs for a gallon of water.!The system followed correctly keeps the gaugers at bay and the communities economics in place. What good does it do if we have no communities to rebuild and home in? We need more than things, and food we need a community to thrive in and an economy to help be apart of rebuilding. If we do not have this foundation then we have people we have helped for nothing.
KF – thanks for your feedback as a hurricane survivor. You capture the spirit of my article very well. Better than I did. I agree that there will be many months of needs well beyond clothes and my hope is that we’ll keep helping all who are affected by this disaster in all of Texas. Many thanks for taking the time to comment and share your insight.
Please let people know the UMCOR foundation is set up by The First United Methodist Church and 100% of its donations go directly to the cause. There are zero administration costs.
I live in Sinton and my hometown is Refugio. Your comment that “the rest of Texas remains unscathed” is ignorant and offensive. Houston is not Harvey’s first or only victim. The small coastal towns where Harvey made landfall are far from unscathed. They have been destroyed. For the past week, I and thousands of others have given our time and resources to lending a hand to the people left homeless after this horrific disaster. We have fed the victims as well as the responders, and we have delivered truckloads of supplies to those who have lost everything. Diapers, clothing, food, water, toiletries, laundry detergent, dog food – all have been accepted with grateful tears and gracious thank yous. We’re here in the trenches, helping our neighbors who were less lucky than than we, and not once have I heard one of them say, “enough, we have enough.”
I invite you to come to the Coastal Bend, the area of Texas where Harvey dared to enter our great state and see how welcome the truckloads of goods are to the “unscathed” people here.
Yes money is needed. Absolutely. But as a hurricane Harvey victim in Aransas Pass/Rockport where it first made landfall, we lost everything except our lives and literally the clothes on our backs. “Stuff” is needed too. Clothes. A place to live. Household goods. Let me tell you my husband and I were thrilled to get a few bags of toiletries and used clothes. Those old faded shirts and used jacket were were like gold to us. Those used lady’s business casual tops will let me keep working. The money we needed absolutely to find a place to live and to buy food to eat. By the grace of God He has provided housing, food, and needed stuff through the hands of generous people. But please remember: losing everything means losing EVERY thing. Ask someone that is living this.
This IS great. I read an article 3 days ago, written by a volunteer there in Texas. They said people were sending winter coats and jackets. Heavy woolen sweaters. USED underwear. Prom dresses. All thing the peoples of the area do not need. And as you stated, is creating a bigger problem. I thought to myself at the time some people do not use common sense. Woolen sweaters in Texas? And just who wants someone’s used underwear? JJ Watts, a football player for the Houston Texas has a funding going on where all the money will go directly to where it needs to be. That I say in case people are uneasy picking a charity. I live in Washington state. We have been declared a state of emergency with the fires. As well as Idaho, Montana and Oregon. It is a nightmare and many small towns are being evacuated at this very second. Thanks again for your article. And please…..dont send prom dresses to the Pacific Northwest.
Hi Midge – thanks for the feedback. I read a similar article from someone on the ground as well. That was the spirit of my writing this article as well. I complete agree. Prom dresses are not helpful. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!
I fully agree that money is better suited than “stuff”. I’m curious though how do I know where my money is going? I keep hearing stories of people donating money and it goes to paying a CEO an exorbitant amount of money. Or paying for phone campaigns to raise more money. So how do I know that money will go to emergency worker’s salaries? Which I’m all for paying more people to get over there and help, but how do I know?
So basically if you dont have.money that may or may not actually end up helping the victims or to buy new clothes dont bother
Thanks especially for links to vetted organizations where people can send money with reasonable confidence that their donations will be effective in actually helping those in need. I will share this list with folks I know up here in the Midwest who want to help but want to know their donation will actually do good and not just disappear into some organization’s fundraising and administrative costs.
Thanks Lori for the feedback and sharing the info. I can’t take complete credit as the NY Times did homework to compile that list. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it very much!
Our first financial donation went to UMCOR today!
Text RebuildTX to 91999 for info. The Dell Corp set this up. 100% goes to relief, recovery and rebuild. Or check Charity Navigator online. They’ll give you the ones that get 4 stars meaning the money goes to the relief not to salaries.
Good in regard to Houston, but don’t say that the rest of Texas is unscathed. The city of Beaumont, where I currently live, has been without running water for days. It is about an hour east of Houston and still needs water and food that doesn’t require water to prepare. Thank you.
DJ – This is my mistake. My use of Houston was never meant exclude the surrounding areas. I’ll fix that. And I appreciate you and many other commenters making that point. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.
Thank you for your post… interesting, challenging and also inspiring (though it was quite practical).
Reading you from abroad… keep them coming!
Thanks Betriz for your feedback. Yes, I’ll keep writing. Much appreciated!
I agree……locally you can get involved. It’s times like these where you see ” not for profit ” organizations get too much money. This is when they take advantage. But, I disagree with the intent of this article. I can guarantee in a situation like this I would be grateful for any help. Everywhere you go now at every store is an opportunity to donate. So millions of dollars are coming in. There is no way of knowing how financially responsible these organizations are going to be. I’ve seen personal trucks loaded with supplies, like diapers, baby items , hygene supplies,water, pet supplies, you name it it’s going. I’m sure it will be given to needy people along the way, even before big organizations can distribute. So please don’t discount the heart felt help and generosity of our fellow citizens. And don’t for one second think that money solves all problems.
Yes, I totally agree. I have been to several churches that are now turning away any items of clothing. Churches have filled almost every room to the top with donations of water, baby items, hygiene products… The list goes on and on. Some of the pastors have gone on social media begging people to come and take the stuff. I guess if you have six babies at home it be nice to have the extra diapers but other than that, they’re overloaded with things that are not helping.
This is the clearest explanation I’ve read of why this is NOT an opportunity to clean out your closets. Thank you.
For those concerned about where to donate funds so they will do the most good: UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, is an organization whose administrative costs are ALL paid out of the budget of the general church. This means that every penny of the designated donations they receive is spent to provide help to the victims. For more info, you can check out: http://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/About-Us
Great article! I would like to respond to those who will not donate to the Red Cross because they do not want their money going to the bigwigs….any money donated directly to the Red Cross and specified for Hurricane Harvey will go directly to the relief efforts. It is the law. I have this on good authority from someone who works with the Red Cross as a volunteer and has for several years. Clothes have to be sorted, washed, checked for stains, bugs etc and in an emergency they just do not have the manpower to do it. So please donate your cash! You never know when you may have to be on the receiving end. Thank You!
As a survivor from hurricane Sandy I completely agree with this article. Money is the best thing people can donate whether it’s $5.00, 15.00 or $50 it is the best thing people can donate . God bless you Houston.
Point well made. I am so glad I donated money.
I agree that Teddy Bears and used clothing isn’t needed; however a LOT of items are in short supply (on the near term). I think what you fail to capture is the timing of the supplies being delivered. I saw first hand over the last week many folks in need of many things in short supply. From drinking water in Beaumont on Thursday to cleaning supplies as late as Monday in Houston. I agree that monetary donations are the way to go if you can’t get those supplies to folks quickly, but I don’t think texting 90999 to the Red Cross on Thursday would’ve helped any families have drinking water that night when there was none to be had…
For a different opinion from a person who has been there twice… hi, I’m Amy. I lost everything in Hurricane Ike in 2008 (I lived in Galveston at the time), and then again in the Bastrop Complex Fire in 2011. Monetary donations didn’t help me either time (I had renters’ insurance, but that’s a different thing, obviously). But both times I was able to go back to work before I even had a home to go to, thanks to, you guessed it, used clothing that people donated. Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to be presentable to go to work, since both times I was only able to evacuate with a few days’ worth of clothing. The donated household items (stuff like towels, toiletries, and basic food supplies like rice and canned goods) helped quite a bit too, especially after the fire in 2011. After the Bastrop fire, I even sent an email to a radio station that had been advertising about monetary donations for fire victims, saying I was one, and asking how could I get some help (again, I had renters’ insurance, but that takes months to come through, and I needed to eat and such in the meantime)… but they never answered. I still have some of the clothes I got from digging through those piles you so derisively mentioned… they meant the world to me at the time and are still meaningful to me to this day.
Sorry, I realized that I should’ve said “Monetary donations from strangers didn’t help me either time” rather than just that monetary donations didn’t. Some of my friends and family members did give me money when I was in need both times and it definitely did help, but that doesn’t mean it would’ve been better for strangers to donate money rather than clothing/household items/food, because again, those monetary donations were not accessible by me even when I asked for such help.
I am with you on this…for the most part. However, there are places that want our stuff too. I think what the sender has to do, is to be sure that wherever you plan on sending it, wants it before it is put in the mail.
I put out a FB message today , asking whether anyone knew of someone, such as a teacher who might need school supplies.
Having worked in public school s for 35 years, I know teachers spend a lot if their own money on supplies for their classrooms, but also share with less fortunate who can’t afford to buy school supplies. I got 10 responses, either on FB or private messages within five minutes. All 10 wanted “my stuff”. One that touched my heart the most was someone who worked for an agency that sheltered domestic violence and sexually abused victims. They run a preschool program that is normally and solely funded by donations and fund raising events. So, I guess it comes down to making a well thought out decision of what and where to send donations. I have also donated thru my church to supply buckets of cleaning supplies and am sending a cash donation to a friend of integrity, faith and compassion for others and who will pass the money onto those she sees needing help. She lives on Tiki Island, which did not have as much devastation as other areas, but had a storage unit of personal belongings they had from their previous residence in Houston. She shared with me that many of the police officers and firefighters that live in Houston, but work in and protect their town, had lost their homes and vehicles that they depend on to get to work. So many things we cannot possibly think of when we are right in the thick of it, but want to help.
Thanks Cheryl – I appreciate you taking the feedback and the details of how you were able to help. You captured the spirit of my article better than I did. “a well thought out decision of what and where to send donations.” Thanks agains for taking the time to comment.
Many storm refugees have been temporarily housed at shelters in Dallas. If one wants to donate stuff, he/she should take it to the shelter there(in Dallas) in a piece of luggage. Some refugees have all their wordly belongings in a Hefty trash bag and could use a suitcase or duffel bag.
I would also recommend Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Team, out of Nashville, TN and Heart to Heart International from Lenexa, KS. Both give near 100%, if not, 100% of the monies donated directly to help people. CoCDRT usually sets up at a Church of Christ in the devastated area and helps with many needs, from helping people clean up, to donating food, clothes, gift cards to those in need to buy what they need, etc.,, and they help that whole community. HtoH makes personal hygiene bags as well as other items to help out.
Also, CoCDRT can buy $3 worth of things for $1, so there’s more bang for your buck with them, than other organizations.
Many of these people have “Go Fund Me” accounts that have been set up. Our friend lost almost everything including their automobiles. They need money. Our daughter had all her stuff in storage pending a relocation. It has been in 2 feet of water. She can’t get anything from FEMA. She has no furniture anymore. It’s all ruined. They need money to rebuild their lives. Houstonians will help with cloths for people. Give to the Texas Baptist Men’s Relief fund. They rebuild homes for these people. They need money
I always suggest that people donate directly to a local church within the hard hit area… the local churches are the foundations that are there long before any other group can organize and set up within the area….
Thanks Margie for the suggestion and taking the time to comment. Much appreciated!
Houston needs cleaning products, building materials, school uniforms, underwear, socks & school supplies. Not everyones house who was flooded had flood coverage & homeowners insurance does not cover the losses. There are thousands of children whose lives have been devistated. There is no sense of normalcy for them. Their houses & schools have been destroyed they don’t know where they’re gonna be sleeping or what their next meal is gonna be. Their homes have to be rebuilt. The children need not be forgotten & getting their lives to some sort of normalcy like school & home is very important. Everything has to be replaced.
A houstonian
Dee – thanks for the perspective from a Houstonian. Much appreciated. I have been through a very minor flood and agree that building even then is difficult. (It was nothing like what these Texas communities are facing and I am not comparing us.) Our circumstance was nothing like this but you are correct that insurance may not cover all losses. That process is also complicated and discouraging. It will be a long road and I hope that donations will continue to help you and your community.
In the list of suggested charities and relief agencies, could you indicate which ones aren’t evangelical organizations (like Samaritan’s Purse)? It makes me feel icky to give money to organizations which, then, can hand out relief to people at their most vulnerable while, simultaneously, trying to indoctrinate the recipients to their particular faith. It feels predatory, to me, and I’d like to give my support to an organization which doesn’t have the ulterior motive of swelling the ranks of their particular denomination.
Hi Joe – there is a more extensive list in the last bullet. This was generated by the NY Times as organizations vetted and approved so that folks will avoid scams which sadly increase during times of disaster. There are many options there. Thanks for taking the time to ask the question and comment. Much appreciated.
Great article! People’s minds would be blown if they ever had to sort through donations… countless hours, many relief efforts I have poured over piles of trash people have loaded up to “donate.” Things I wouldn’t begin to post… You cannot even imagine…:(
Another couple “boots on the ground” groups are
https://somebodycares.org/
They are legit, caring and helping all over!
Another is
https://criout.com
They have teams on the ground in a tomball, texas. They travel worldwide for relief efforts but you can earmark your donation for Harvey. I have deployed with them and almost everyone is a volunteer so funds are far reaching.
Lastly, an organization I have also done relief efforts with is
http://www.christinaction.com/content/Home.aspx
They travel nationwide as well, but are stationed in the Corpus area for aftermath of Harvey. Again- amazing people and everyone – even staff raises their own $!
I pray this helps… and thank you thank you from Texas to all who see, pray, send or do anything!
Thanks Suz for the perspective of a volunteer going through donations. And for adding other organizations that can help all of Texas. I understand that people are skeptical about giving money. No matter where I send my dollars, I do my homework. I hope others will as well. Thanks again for taking the time to share this comment.
Please consider donating money to youcaring.com/JJWatt. He has raised close to 20 million and will return 100% back to the people affected. No salaries, 100% nobody else can say that. He will not give without a plan, a well thought out plan I assure you. Please see his live interviews. He has been entrusted with millions from both individuals as well as fortune 500 companies. No question about CEO’s salaries, or will it get to the those in need it will 100%.
Thanks Tracy – indeed an amazing fundraising effort by JJWatt. I shared his post on my Facebook page as well. Thanks for adding that into the comments. Much appreciated!
Excellent article, I can’t believe some of the stupid things people send or think about sending to a disaster area. I even overheard a lady yesterday saying, “Well I am going through my closet get all my old clothes I haven’t worn lately and then go through my kitchen and take out all my duplicates and send those.” I just wanted to scream.
Me too Marilyn. Thanks for your comment. Much appreciated.
Dear Amy,
Thank you for such a spot on article. As a survivor of Hurricane Katrina you could not be more right in the direction you are leading people in. Recovery from a disaster such as this is arduous, tedious and lengthy. Besides the personal lose, you are inundated with a vast amount of information of things that are needed to apply for assistance from various agencies. It is mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting, especially if your entire family, such as parents, siblings and other relatives all lived in nearby hard hit areas. This leaves families with no place comfortable to find refuge at the end of long days. Also, the traffic can be unbearable without organized transportation of goods. Without the help of the Red Cross that passed our house everyday delivering us a meal and fresh water we would have been lost and hungry while trying to sort through all of our belongings and future. What people don’t realize is that it is not business as usual. Some businesses can’t open due to damage, lack of employees because of displacement or dealing with their own lose, or lack of goods being able to be delivered. It is truly baby steps, and every little bit of help counts. Red Cross also gave us a $250.00 gift card to purchase clothes and groceries. It took weeks for supermarkets and other stores to open and they were only open for 4 to 6 hours a day. Please, if you truly want to help these people check the list that Amy has so graciously supplied and follow your heart. Yes, presidents and CEO’s are paid but, their knowledge, contacts and expertise at the time of disasters of these magnitudes is priceless! I’m with Amy, if you were to go through your closet to donate clothes that will probably not get dispensed probably you would ask yourself “Do I NEED this or do I WANT this?”. So I implore you to do the same thing for just ONE WEEK and all the money from the things you WANT, please donate it to one of the reputable charities Amy has recommended because believe me there is someone who NEEDS it. Thank you to all the generous, caring people out there.
Ronda – thanks so much for your perspective as a Katrina survivor. Your feedback really captured the essence of what I was saying in my article. Better than I did. Thank you again for taking the time to respond.
I think people want to be able to trust organizations by would like to see less percentage for administration and more going to the people. Our church just sent money to a church there that is helping rescue others and cleaning up homes. I know that if you give to the Southern Baptist disaster teams 100% goes for what is needed. Namb.com. This will be an on going mission for a long time. They still haven’t recovered from Katrina. Prayers for all those who made themselves available to help and the many families displaced.
A great organization that is already there, and can be found wherever disaster strikes, is Texas Baptist Men (texasbaptistmen.org). Their disaster relief teams are out there helping with clean up, providing hot meals, and places to shower. These are trained volunteers and you can trust them to use 100% of your donation to help in some way.
Another great organization is Heart to Heart International. Based in Kansas City, this organization is medical in nature. They are on site helping with tetanus shots and injuries as well as working hard to prevent subsequent illnesses due to the accumulated bacteria. Their website is http://www.hearttoheart.org
Like a ribeye served to you on a trash can lid. I agree donate money if you can, but some folks who really want to help may only have that sweatshirt to donate. Informative article thank you for the insight.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have said this every day.
I disagree with this article. I think there’s a lot of misunderstanding from afar of the current state of Houston. Some of Houston faired fine, some of it flooded bad (4 feet of water in the homes we were in yesterday) but the waters have receded, and some are continuing to flood (and may continue for weeks to months) because of the controlled release of the reservoirs.
Some parts are still in the rescue phase, but some are moving into the recovery/restoration phase.
I read a post yesterday by someone driving through who said they wouldn’t have known anything happened here in Houston if they hadn’t been told. That is probably true for the area they drove through. Some areas are much worse than others; some parts destroyed and some preserved.
Money is very helpful! But so are specific things, especially basic necessities such as food, clothing, water, diapers, formula, etc. Also cleaning supplies are helpful (wheelbarrows, hammers, crowbars, box knives, push bottoms, rubber gloves, face masks, heavy duty 55 gal trash bags, etc.). You just have to research what the place you are planning to send supplies to is specifically asking for. Some places are asking for school supplies because thousands of kids’ supplies were ruined in the flooding, and they’ll move schools when they begin in a couple of weeks. Eventually people with need home decor items donated. It just depends where you look.
People are feeding first responders, feeding evacuees, feeding volunteers, feeding homeless. They all need food!
Everything helps! So many lost everything, and it takes so much to rebuild a life, not to mention thousands. We can’t say one way to support is better than another because we need it all; everyone has to give what they can. People who can give money, give money. People who have needed items to donate, find a trustworthy place that is collecting them and donate. People that want to physically help, come help. (I met 4 girls yesterday who got in a vehicle and drove down from Kansas City to help!) People who are prayer warriors, pray. And everyone else pray, too.😊It doesn’t always look like you would expect, either. Some people are housing strangers. Some are babysitting so parents can volunteer. Some people do very important work of simply listening to, hugging, and praying over those who have lost so much tell their stories and cry. So much to do, and there will be for months.
Some people seem overwhelmed at the many ways you can give or help. You can’t give to them all; just pick one or some that you trust. If you don’t know, ask someone in Houston you trust. We greatly appreciate all the help and support!
Wow. Write a wise and heartfelt post and people rip you a new one. “Why aren’t you writing about this??” “Why didn’t you mention that??”
Good Lord, people. It’s a post about one thing, not a post about everything. You want a post about those things, write your own. I, for one, am grateful for the perspective, so thank you.
Thanks Cordelia. I appreciate your note very much. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Keep in mind, not all of these grassroots efforts are randomly sending useless stuff to Houston. There are local efforts in my area to fill trucks (with supplies that had been identified as needed at this time) to send to stricken communities in TX. The organizers are people who have contacts in several of the surrounding communities, and they shipments are part of a coordinated effort by boots-in-the-ground local agencies to help those in their communities. Some of these same organizers are also involved in the effort to help relocate displaced pets to caring foster homes until their families are back in homes.
For the record, in 2008, Ottenhoff earned the equivalent of $245,000 (today’s dollars) income for a non-profit generating $3.5M of revenue. Check the 990….that’s 6 cents in every dollar. Can’t imagine he’s making less 10 years later. Of course he wants everyone to give cash! I’m a proponent of donating directly to local churches, YMCA chapters and other local boots on the ground orgs. Cash or goods donated, these non-profit middlemen are not the way.
I live near the Houston area and know the devastation they are going through just as are the other towns all around Houston and along the coast. It is being said that they are turning donations away because they have to much. You all suggest money donations. Do you realize if you donate to a organization like the Red Cross only a very tiny percentage of the donation actually goes towards the disaster. The majority goes for the expenses of the Red Cross – check out the CEO’s salary sometime. I believe in helping however I can even if it is money but I would rather go to a local fundraiser for my small town fire department and pay 50 for a homemade cake then send 50 to a organization that might send 5 of it to the disaster expenses. The fire department gets a 100% of the profit because the cake was donated and the fundraiser is on their property. If you are going to donate money be sure you check the organization and make sure the majority of your donation goes to the disaster relief.
Our church sent box fans and mega garbage bags to Houston. I KNOW they can use these! Clothing is probably needed later and in an organized manner. These ppl. don’t need to sort! For those fleeing Irma, Chick fil-A will fill jugs of their filtered water to anyone in need. No cost.