How to help Hurricane Laura victims

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Tuesday, September 1, 2020
What to bring to donation drive for Hurricane Laura victims
Here's how you can help our neighbors to the east suffering from Hurricane Laura damage.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As Hurricane Laura victims begin the road to recovery in southeast Texas, many organizations are preparing ways Houstonians can offer a helping hand.

SUPPLY COLLECTION

Bethel's Place Empowerment Center is seeking donations like cleaning supplies, baby formula, hand sanitizer, non-perishable food and toiletries.

Donations can be dropped off starting Sunday at 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.

They will be collecting at 12660 Sandpiper Drive through Tuesday when their truck leaves.

Kroger also deployed 10 trailers of food and water from their Houston distribution center to Lake Charles.

The Houston Dash also collected water and non-perishable food for the Houston Food Bank at BBVA Stadium Saturday.

DISASTER DISTRIBUTION SITES

The Houston Food Bank is also prepared to set up disaster distribution sites, serving food and water donations secured for this year's hurricane season.

According to the food bank, 63 partners have committed to being distribution sites.

DONATION SITES

George R. Brown Convention Center is accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m starting Tuesday, Sept. 1. They can be dropped off at Hall D off Chartres Street/Walker Street - Ground Level.

The Mayor's Health Equity Response Task Force is partnering with Kroger, Gallery Furniture, and the 'Relief Gang' to collect cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, non-perishable food, bottled water, and pet food or supplies. Kroger has collection boxes at each of its stores. Gallery Furniture at 6006 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77076 is also accepting donations.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office is also collecting donations on Tuesday Sept. 1 and Wednesday, Sept. 2 at five substations across the county. Each substation is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Supplies in high demand include:

  • COVID-19 supplies: hand sanitizer and face masks
  • Roofing supplies: water-resistant, UV resistant roof tarps; lumber; galvanized nails; deck screws; button cap nails
  • Electrical supplies: portable generators, empty glass containers, generator oil, outdoor extension cords
  • Food: nonperishable items, water or beverages, baby food and formula
  • Household supplies: personal hygiene items; diapers and baby wipes; cleaning supplies; heavy-duty contractor bags; duct tape; paper goods; plastic cups and utensils; first-aid kits; antibacterial ointment; bandages and band-aids; mosquito spray; 3 foot x 3 foot cardboard boxes or plastic tubs with lids

The Houston Food Bank said the best way to help is to volunteer or donate money.

They are accepting monetary donations and is asking for volunteers. To donate, text ABC13 to 41444. or through their website at www.houstonfoodbank.org/donatenow. If you'd like to volunteer dial 713-547-8604 or visit the food bank's website.

Extra warehouse space is also available to handle receiving and distribution of donations, according to Houston Food Bank representatives.

SEE ALSO: Houston SPCA evacuates hundreds of animals before Laura's landfall

Ahead of Hurricane Laura's impact, the Houston SPCA rescued and evacuated more than 200 animals, including baby squirrels, dogs, cats, rabbits and a three-legged mouse.

Trucks were loaded and staged for disaster response in multiple high-ground locations.

The supplies included 665 disaster pallets with canned shelf-stable items, 170 pallets of cleaning supplies, and more than 400 pallets of water, according to Houston Food Bank.

Officials say volunteers are needed to help sort and box donations for hurricane victims.

Like the food bank, the Red Cross is also taking monetary donations. Text Laura to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The Louisiana Red Cross also urged people to give blood donations to help those who were affected.

RELATED:
Houston-area closures and cancellations due to Hurricane Laura
Houstonians urged to stay off roads for people evacuating from Hurricane Laura

Attack Poverty, a local non-profit organization that serves locally, adopting geographical pockets of poverty, is leading efforts to meet the basic needs of individuals in Louisiana in response to Hurricane Laura. They have partnered with local churches to set up distribution centers where Houstonians can drop off a variety critically needed items to help those impacted rebuild their lives.

Drop Off Sites Near Richmond, Rosenberg, and Sugar Land:

Attack Poverty Headquarters

Drop off dates: 8/31-TBD

Drop off times: Mondays-Fridays, 9am-4pm

Contact: Disaster Recovery Team, APDR@attackpoverty.org

Address: 3727 Greenbriar Dr. Ste. 100 Stafford, TX 77477

River Pointe Church | Richmond Campus

Dates: Friday August 28th - Sunday August 30th

Contact: Amber Camacho

Address: 21000 Southwest Freeway Richmond, TX 77469

River Pointe Church | Missouri City Campus

Dates: Friday August 28th - Sunday August 30th

Contact: Amber Camacho

Address: 7057 Knights Ct. Missouri City, TX 77469 The Bridge Church

Dates: 8/30-9/4

Times: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm & Saturdays 1pm-3pm & Sundays 9am-1pm

Contact: Kurt Lawson

Address: 802 Brooks St. Sugarland, TX 77478 Drop off Sites in Katy

Hope City - Katy Campus Drop off dates: 8/29-8/30 Drop off times:

Saturday & Sunday, 9am-1pm

Contact: Jesse Flores, 713-834-2966

Address: 2700 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N., Houston, TX 77043

Dream Movement Church

Drop off dates: 8/31-9/3

Drop off times: 8:30am-5pm

Contact: Jennifer Hall, 832-987-4447 and email info@dream-movement.org

Address: 1818 Katyland Drive, Katy, TX 77493 (PowerHouse Church)

Drop off Sites in Houston

Cafeza in Partnership with Hope City Church Drop off dates: 8/30 Drop

off times: Sunday, 9am-1pm

Contact: Jesse Flores, 713-834-2966

Address: 1720 Houston Ave, Houston, TX 77007 West End Church

Dates: Saturday & Sunday

Contact: Michaele Leathers, 281-277-6767

Address: 802 Shepherd Drive Houston, TX 77007 First Presbyterian

Church of Houston Drop off times: Monday-Saturday 9am-3pm & Sundays

during Live Worship

Contact: Lea Byrd, LByrd@fpchouston.org

Address: 5300 Main Street Houston, TX 77004. North Side entrance at

the Welcome Center

Harris County Sheriff's Office Announces Hurricane Laura Relief Effort Supporting Louisiana's First Responders.

Aug. 31, 2020 - The Harris County Sheriff's Office today announced the first phase of the agency's Hurricane Laura relief effort, which will focus on getting much needed supplies to Louisiana's first responders and their families.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, all five Sheriff's Office substations will serve as collection sites for those able to donate water, non-perishable food, tarps, electrical generators and other supplies that are in high demand in parts of Louisiana that were devastated by Hurricane Laura last week. The donation sites will be open both days from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the goal of making an initial delivery to those in need by the weekend.

"When Hurricane Harvey struck our community three years ago, our Louisiana neighbors rushed to our aid and worked at our side as long as we needed them," said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. "Now, it's our turn to support our friends. We know that first responders are unable to take time off from work after a disaster to take of their own families, so we're going to step in and give them all the support we can muster during their time of need."

The following supplies are in high demand and will be collected during this initial supply drive:

COVID-19 PROTECTION SUPPLIES

Hand Sanitizer

Facemasks

ROOFING SUPPLIES

Roof Tarps: Water-resistant, reinforced, UV resistant, min. 20'x15'

Lumber: 1x2 or 2x2 - 8' or longer

Galvanized Nails: 2 1/2"

Deck Screws: 2 1/2" star head

Button Cap Nails

ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES

Portable Generators: 3kw to 5kw

Empty Gas Containers: 1 to 5 gallons (must be clean)

Generator Oil: 4-cycle 1-quart containers

Outdoor Extension Cords: - 20' to 50' #10 or #12

FOOD & DRINK

Non-Perishable Foods

Water or Beverages: Must not require refrigeration

Baby Food or Formula

HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES

Personal Hygiene: Liquid soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, combs, brushes, adult diapers

Diapers & Baby Wipes

Household Cleaning Supplies

Trash Bags: Heavy-duty contractor bags 30 to 50 gallon

Duct Tape

Paper Goods: Plates, toilet paper, paper towels

Plastic Cups & Dining Utensils

First Aid Kits

Topical Antibacterial Ointment

Bandages & Band-Aids: Waterproof

Mosquito Spray

3'x3' Cardboard Boxes or Plastic Tubs with Lids

PLEASE DO NOT SEND: Clothing, Perishable Food, or Furniture.

Donation sites include:

Cypresswood Substation

6831 Cypresswood Drive

Spring, Texas 77379

Humble Substation

7900 Will Clayton Parkway

Humble, Texas 77338

Wallisville Substation

14350 Wallisville Road

Houston, Texas 77049

Clay Road Substation

16715 Clay Road

Houston, Texas 77084

Tomball Substation

23828 Tomball Parkway

Tomball, Texas 77375