According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the most effective guidelines for sending in-kind donations to disaster victims are:
- Contributions of Cash - Often the Best Donation
- Confirm the Need
- Donate Through an Organization
- Transportation Must be Planned in Advance
- Donated Items Must be Well Packed and Labeled
- Small Items and Unsorted Clothing May Go to Local Need
Click for details on these tips
How to help locally
If you are an evacuee in Austin, or if evacuees are staying with you, call (512) 974-1110 for help. Read the city of Austin's Katrina resource guide at cityofaustin.org.
New volunteers and donations are no longer being coordinated at the Austin Convention Center. The city has also put a temporary hold on all donations. They will make specific calls for donations once the present truckloads are distributed. You can call the American Red Cross at (512) 928-4271 to inquire about their present needs.
Food, clothing, etc. donations
Anyone wishing to donate items of clothing, toys, food, water or other goods, please call or visit Goodwill Austin and Salvation Army locations or the Capital Area Food Bank.
The Salvation Army is requesting specific items for the victims of Hurricane Katrina: bottled water, coolers, personal and feminine hygiene items, non-perishable packaged food, canned goods and insect repellant, flashlights with batteries, hand sanitizers, diapers of all sizes, wheelchairs, new combs and brushes, wash cloths, pillows, sheets, towels, baby clothing, baby wipes, socks, XL and XXL clothing and underwear. The socks and underwear must be new.
H-E-B is helping the Capital Area Food Bank collect more donations from the public. Only the following items will be accepted for donation:
 | | Bottled water |
| | Peanut butter |
| | Canned tuna |
| | Granola or cereal bars |
| | Diapers |
You can drop of these items at the Capital Area Food Bank at 8201 South Congress.
Family Finders
Use the Family Links Web site to find relatives or let them know you are OK. CNN is also providing a Reported Safe listing.
Housing Assistance
There are several online listings if you are interested in providing free, or low-cost housing. These two have the most listings presently:
- HurricaneHousing.org 70,000+ beds listed
- Craig's List for Austin
- Austin Helps Katrina lists helpful links to finding assistance for Katrina evacuees staying in Austin.
The city of Austin is hoping more landlords will be willing to offer up family housing for evacuees. Property owners willing to help should call (512) 974-9999.
Presently everyone is advised to use caution before taking in hurricane victims due to security concerns for all parties.
Pet Care
The Austin Humane Society created a hotline to help Hurricane Katrina evacuees find care for their pets. Evacuees can call (512) 646-PETS to get supplies or to get help placing their pets in foster homes.
The Humane Society teamed with the ASPCA and the Town Lake Animal Center to staff animal emergency shelters. Austinites are encouraged to sign up for the phone bank, become foster parents or donate supplies.
American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery, the nation's largest companion animal recovery service, is working directly with the state command centers and officials at the various staging areas in LA, MS, AL, and TX. Call (800) 252-7894 to support their efforts.
Teachers needed
The State Board of Educator Certification approved an Emergency Plan Tuesday. The plan allows any teacher certified in Louisiana to get a one-year Texas teaching certificate.
You'll just need to give your contact info and your fingerprints for a criminal background check. You should also be ready to let them know the area you'd like to teach. Call (866) 435-7090 for more information.
There are lots of events, funds, drives and collections going on all over Central Texas where folks are accepting items. Here's a partial list of them.
Online disaster relief organizations
American Red Cross or (800) HELP-NOW or (800) 257-7575 Spanish
America’s Second Harvest or (800) 344-8070
Adventist Community Services or (800) 381-7171
Austin Greenlights organization list
Catholic Charities or (800) 919-9338
Christian Disaster Response or (941) 956-5183 or (941) 951-9554
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee or (800) 848-5818
Church World Service or (800) 297-1516
Convoy of Hope or (417) 823-8998
DisasterHelp.gov links on finding, helping and safety
Episcopal Relief & Development or (800) 334-7626
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FirstGov.gov links on finding, helping and safety
FromAustin.org relief collection drive
Habitat for Horses or (409) 935-9277
Humane Society or (888) 259-5431
Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Lutheran Disaster Response or (800) 638-3522
Mennonite Disaster Service or (717) 859-2210
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
Nazarene Disaster Response or (888) 256-5886
Noah’s Wish or (530) 622-9313
Operation Blessing or (800) 436-6348
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance or (800) 872-3283
Salvation Army or (800) SAL-ARMY
Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief or (800) 462-8657, ext. 6440
United Animal Nations or (916) 429-2457
United Methodist Committee on Relief or (800) 554-8583
This is only a partial list of Hurricane Katrina disaster relief information available on the Web.
