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Texas generosity is bursting forth. Here are some ways that you can help the relief effort for Hurricane Katrina survivors.
Information Central: Where do you get information about how to donate something besides money? Where do you go to volunteer some of your time? Do you have a job you can offer? Bulk food supplies? Donate vehicles? How can you adopt a pet? Whatever it is, the number to call is 211. If you live outside of San Antonio or have a cell phone, you can call (210) 227-4357. Please remember that this is the main line that everyone in the area is using. If you have trouble getting through, please hang up and try again in a few minutes. This is the central information clearinghouse for all volunteer and donation activities.
Your Home: Because of liability issues, the relief agencies are no longer taking information of sharing your home with evacuees. If you have an entire home or large building for evacuees, please call 211.
In-kind (non-monetary) Donations: At this time, the relief agencies are strongly discouraging the donation of clothes. I talked with a Windsor Park volunteer yesterday, who mentioned the following items that seemed to be needed. Remember, this is a word-of-mouth list, not an official one from Red Cross, but they are items you may not have thought of donating so I wanted to include it here. Note: they are not accepting donations at Windsor Park, all items need to go to KellyUSA (see item "f" below for more details on getting stuff there).
- Ladies bras and panties (especially XL sizes)
- Briefs/boxers for men and boys
- Flip-flops and house slippers (especially XL sizes)
- Toys, puzzles and books for the little kids (many shelters have a play room)
- Playing cards, board games and books for the bigger kids (many shelters have a rec room)
- Books for the adults
- Knitting and needlework supplies for the elderly ladies
| Tomi Sue Beecham of AVR Realty sponsored a Red Cross supply drive and fundraiser at The Forum Shops at Olympia Parkway. |
| Dora Benavidez of Trammell Crow Company helped collect donations.
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Read This Before You Donate! Bring items sorted and packed in boxes properly labeled. Boxes are in short supply; volunteers are spending valuable time trying to find empty boxes. If you donate children's items like books, games, and toys then sort by type and age group into separate boxes. Donate new toys, especially if it is a stuffed animal toy.
Food: If you donate food, it helps to sort the food and box it. The organizations providing meals really need large container food like you get at Sam's Club... large cans, large boxes, large bags rather than the small cans. If you donate the small cans then donate entire boxes of one item like all vegetable, all soup, all cereal rather than mixed items in a box.
Where to take it: The Red Cross and The Salvation Army urge the general public to take all material donations to Kelly USA. The Salvation Army Warehouse is located at 809 Davy Crockett in Building #1536 at Bay 11. Hours of operation are 8am to 8pm, Monday thru Saturday. Also, the 15 San Antonio area Wal-Mart stores are taking donations to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. You can drop off items at any Wal-Mart location. Donations will be taken to the Kelly USA shelter daily. The stores are also accepting cash donations, which will go to the relief effort.
Please remember that Hope Comes From Small Places. Every little bit helps!
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