How you can help Texas winter storm victims

Unprecedented winter storms have blanketed Texas, causing bitter cold temperatures and widespread power outages throughout much of the state.

President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency, which makes people eligible for federal assistance. Still, the need for help is immediate as many struggle to find shelter, food and warmth in these dangerous freezing conditions. You can donate to any of the organizations listed by clicking this link or the button below:

• The Salvation Army provides shelter, food, and other necessary items to those in need throughout Texas.
• The American Red Cross is supporting at least 35 warming centers with cots and blankets across the state.
• In Austin, the area Urban League has started the #LoveThyNeighborTX campaign to raise money for hotel rooms, food, water, clothing and other basic needs of the housing insecure communities.
• Mercy Chefs is providing hot meals, clean drinking water and USDA Farmers to Families grocery boxes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
• The Houston Food Bank and the Central Texas Food Bank are distributing food to those in need.
• Austin small business Free Lunch is making deliveries of home-cooked meals, blankets, hand warmers and hygiene kits to the Esperanza Community residents, a state-sanctioned shelter/campsite in the city.
• The Other Ones Foundation is also providing resiliency kits for residents of the campsite. The kits include basic needs for those experiencing homelessness.
• Dallas-area organizations Austin Street Center, OurCalling, The Stewpot, Union Gospel Mission, and Oak Lawn United Methodist Church are pooling funds to help pay for temporary shelter as well as Covid-19 rapid tests for those in need.
• Lucille’s 1913 Community Kitchen is preparing and distributing meals in the Houston area.
• Caritas of Austin also helps those experiencing housing insecurity in the Austin area. You can support their work by making a monetary donation or ordering items from their Amazon wish list to be shipped directly to the center.
• The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County is supporting warming centers throughout Houston and Harris County.
• Austin Pets Alive! is working to keep pets across Texas warm and safe during the freezing conditions. The group needs heating pads, Styrofoam coolers, dog beds, heat lamps and monetary donations.
• Save the Children is helping storm-damaged child care and early learning centers in Texas recover. They are also providing hygiene kits, bottled water, warm clothing and PPE to shelters.
• Rebuilding Together is providing critical home repairs that have occurred as a result of the storm in North Texas, Dallas and Houston.

Impact Your World will continue to update this list as more organizations respond.