How to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims the Right Way

With the recent and ongoing tragedy in Texas, it is crucial that we, as fellow human beings, acknowledge our helping abilities and lend a hand to those being affected. One common way for us to provide assistance to Hurricane Harvey victims is by donating funds that can be used to not only help citizens, but animals as well. However, it is equally imperative that we ensure the organizations that we donate to are sound and justly use their donations.

One of the most popular nonprofit organizations that people immediately donate to following disasters is the American Red Cross. Although the nonprofit’s accountability can not be completely verified, there have been numerous reports over the years that the American Red Cross has had many relief failures for disasters such as Hurricane Sandy and the Haiti earthquake. In fact, an investigation in 2015 led by NPR revealed that the nonprofit failed to demonstrate how they spent the $488 million raised for the Haiti earthquake.

With such speculation present, it is safer that we donate funds to smaller and local charities. After researching various charities, I have compiled a small list of charities I found to be reputable and trustworthy. Undoubtedly, there are several other charities that are also trustworthy and should also receive donations. If you stumble upon another charity that is not listed here, just be sure to research a bit about the charity and verify its authenticity and efficiency!

Such research can be completed using Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org.

Here is also a good resource for deciding how to donate to the right charity: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/watchdog/2017/08/30/spirit-texas-giving-get-taken-harvey-scam

General Relief: Shelter, Food, Medical Care

1. Global Giving (https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-harvey-relief-fund/): Funds raised will first be directed to immediate needs, such as food, water, and shelter. Remaining funds will be focused on long-term transitional and recovery efforts.
2. Samaritan's Purse (https://www.samaritanspurse.org/disaster/hurricane-harvey/): International relief that is accepting funds and volunteers for relief purposes.
3. Save the Children (https://secure.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.9534757/k.CB79/Hurricane_Harvey_Relief_Fund/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp): International non-profit that is providing relief supplies to children and their families.
4. United Way of Greater Houston (https://www.unitedwayhouston.org/flood/flood-donation/): Non-profit that is assisting with storm-related needs and recovery.
5. Houston Food Bank: (https://secure3.convio.net/hfb/site/Donation2?df_id=8530&mfc_pref=T&8530.donation=form1): Local food bank providing food and water to victims.

Animals

1. Houston SPCA (http://www.houstonspca.org/give/): Nonprofit providing animal-related disaster rescue, relief, and resources.
2. Houston Humane Society (https://www.houstonhumane.org/(Give)/giving/general-donation): Providing care, such as food, shelter, and medical attention, for affected animals.

Environment

1. Sierra Club Foundation: (https://www.teamsierra.org/MyCampaign/?rbref=I17HZZHW05) A nonprofit focused on mitigating “the hurricane’s environmental effects - from chemical hazards to structural damage - and support urgent relief efforts.”