How to Help Texans After the Winter Storm

By Allison Schroeder
Web Content Contributor

Starting late Monday night after Valentine’s Day, Texans across the state started experiencing cold frigid temperatures, rolling or complete blackouts, along with water outages or busting pipes.

Days leading up to the storm, people were preparing by stocking up on milk, eggs, bread and water, but nobody was prepared for the blackouts we experienced. 

Some people, including myself, experienced a form of rolling blackouts where we lost power for a couple to few hours, then it would turn back on and it would flicker every 10 minutes making it hard to use the Internet or even heat food. 

On the other hand, others have been less fortunate and lost their power for days spoiling their food and causing their water to freeze or pipes to burst.  Now, some people have power but must boil their water or they have water that needs to be boiled, but no power to do so. 

Texas State University has opened some of its resources, and people across the state have been helping one another as seen through social media.

There are organizations for people inside or outside of Texas that you can donate to, to help those who need food, water, warm shelter, and other resources to survive. 

Below are several sources by city that I have found and gathered that you may seek help or donate to help!

STATEWIDE:

• The Salvation Army

 – They are helping provide different necessities and shelter to those who are in need throughout Texas.

• American Red Cross

 – They are supporting the state by helping create warming centers.

• Baby2Baby  

– Baby2Baby has been helping deliver essentials to children in need across the state and nation.

• World Central Kitchen

 – They have provided meals to senior citizens and warming centers to people throughout the state.

SAN MARCOS:

• The Hays CISD Little Hope Box

 – Aims to help protect the children in their school district from food insecurity by donating food.  They also take on emergencies by donating other necessities to families and their children.

• Hays County Food Bank

 – They have been helping provide food assistance programs for low-income households alongside those affected by disasters, job losses, medical emergencies, and other emergencies.

AUSTIN:

• Austin Pets Alive!  

– The organization seeks to help pets through donations, right now they are aiming to keep pets warm.  They need donations to continue helping animals in the area.

• Habitat for Humanity  

– They assist low-income homeowners with repairs around their homes along with other issues.

• Caritas of Austin

 – They aim to end homelessness in the city of Austin.  They are asking people to donate items through their Amazon wish list or monetary donations.

• Austin Diaper Bank  

– The Austin Diaper Bank helps provide a reliable source of diapers to children who need them. 

• Front Steps

 – The Front Steps organization is donating blankets to keep people warm.

HOUSTON:

• Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County

 – They are currently providing or supporting warming centers in the Houston area.

• Houston Food Bank

 – One of America’s largest food banks where they distribute perishable and non-perishable food including meat and produce to those in need.  Due to the Winter Storm, they are prepared to take donations, volunteers, or help where they can.  This week, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez helped organize over 3 million dollars. 

SAN ANTONIO:

• Texas Diaper Bank  

– Their mission is to provide diapers to children in the San Antonio region.

• San Antonio Food Bank

– The organization strives to provide meals for its community.  Donations and volunteers are welcome, and you may request aid or register to attend their winter storm relief events.

DALLAS/FORT WORTH:

• Hope Supply Co.  

– The Hope Supply Co.’s mission is to help homeless and at-risk children by providing the necessities they need from diapers to school supplies.  Donations and volunteers are welcome.

• Funky Town Fridge  

– Funky Town Fridge is a community fridge project that places refrigerators and pantries around the community to provide food to their community.  They are accepting donations and volunteers to help those who are requesting aid.

• Staff Meal

 – The Staff Meal organization supports the local restaurant businesses by donating their meals/food to their local community.  They have a posted meal schedule with foods available.

• North Texas Food Bank  

– The organization is helping those in need by providing nutritious foods.

• Feed the People Dallas  

– Feed the People Dallas is led by Black/Latinx females looking to help the DFW region of Texas.  They run a free grocery program and community care program.  According to their website, they are accepting volunteers, donations, and are helping as many people as they can through a request form.

If you know of any other organization that is helping to provide relief to our fellow Texans, please feel free to share any information!  Let’s unite and help our friends and neighbors when they need it most.

Featured image by Allison Schroeder.