The flooding and devastation caused by Harvey has not stopped since it made landfall Friday night. Home have been destroyed and thousands have been displaced.
There are many who feel compelled to help the afflicted in any way they can.
If you plan on donating to Harvey relief here are some charities and things you should consider.
BarkerRipley:
Working in collaboration with other agencies, BarkerRipley picks up after the initial emergency responders and work on helping people restart their lives.
To donate to BarkerRipley visit their site here.
United Way Relief Fund:
To give to the United Way Flood Relief Fund visit unitedwayhouston.org/flood or text UWFLOOD to 41444
Red Cross:
The Red Cross has been organizing shelters to aide families displaced by the storm.
They rely on monetary donations to provide immediate relief.
Use this link to donate or text the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Red Cross in Texas has also asked people to volunteer.
They announced Friday that they would be training volunteers at their shelters through a "fast=track" course. The Salvation Army also announced it would be accepting volunteers to hand out supplies and food at shelters. Check for a local group in your area that is sending volunteers.
USAID CIDI:
USAID is the U.S. Agency for International Development Office, and the CIDI is the Center for International Disaster Information.
Their mission is to guide and inform the public, including religious and community groups; diaspora; embassies; non-profits; corporations; businesses and governmental organizations about the most effective ways to support international disaster relief and recovery.
They have released a detailed guide on the steps you should take to donate responsibly.
- The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund set up by Houston's mayor, Sylvester Turner, and administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
- Houston Food Bank and the Food Bank of Corpus Christi are asking for donations.
- Carter BloodCare covers hospitals in north, central and east Texas. To donate, call 877-571-1000 or text DONATE4LIFE to 444-999.
- To help animals suffering from the disaster, visit the Houston Humane Society or the San Antonio Humane Society.
- The Texas Diaper Bank in San Antonio is asking for diapers and wipes, which can be dropped off in person or mailed to 5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, San Antonio, Tex., 78238.
What to watch out for:
Before you donate, it is important to know where your aide is going.
By using organizations like GiveWell, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or the Better Business Bureau, you can make sure you know your money is being used to help.