Hi all, I'm hoping to update this resource with where you can donate or find help in Dallas and Texas in general. It's been a crazy past few days and many organizations are stepping up to provide resources. If you want to help, here's how.
What is happening in Texas?
A winter storm in Texas has left millions without power and water. Many are left without shelter, food, and warmth. Hospitals are in need of help as well as front line workers. Popes have burst in homes and apartments.
On Friday, Feb. 12, Gov. Greg Abbott declared the Texas storm a disaster, as it had knocked out much of the independent power grid system.
Texas is now receiving the state's lowest recorded temperature in 30 years. On Tuesday it was -2 degrees, the lowest since 1949.
Many homes are not properly insulated for severe cold, as people cranked up their heat it caused too much pressure on the power grid. This caused blackouts and left many without power. Many are resorting to burning furniture to hear their homes and risking carbon monoxide poisoning by warming up in their car.
Bloggers Give Back Initiative:
In order to raise funds for those in need I'm turning to bloggers to help spread the word and give back. If you have a product you sell, service and want to donate a portion of the proceeds, or want to donate an item to be sold please let me know. If you want to participate and give a donation or donate your items or portions of your profits please reach out to [email protected] or on Instagram @heleneinbetween
If you purchase ANYTHING from my shop, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Salvation Army. See my shop here. Also see my Lightroom Presets here.
I'm also donating to this GoFundMe started by @themilleraffect to help families in need – help up reach the goal of $50,000!
Type League Press is donating 20% to the Salvation Army with the purchase of this mug. @typeleaguepress on Instagram.
The Weithouse Print Shop is donating 100% of proceeds from prints purchased today to give to various charities around the Texas area. Find the shop here and on Instagram @theweithouseprintshop.
@AskFoodBitch is donating to @staffmealdallas to set up tabs at restaurants who are feeding people this week in Dallas. Over $11,000 Raised!
@Astoldbymichelle is supporting @kidsmealshouston to help kids who need meals!
@theRunnerdoc is donating 50% of sales of her Run Strong Program to kidsmealshouston.
@Madein is donating free warm meals to those in Austin.
@Rhechristine and @confidentlycorporate and I are working with local restaurants to set up tabs to help them and the community. We are prioritizing on restaurants that are giving away free meals, really discounting and have community involvement. Anyone can reach out to us if they have more questions. The GoFundMe is here.
@Juneandnoel is donating 50% of everything she sells today-Sunday to the North Texas Foodbank. Her shop is here: juneandnoel.com She sells gorgeous facemasks, jewelry and more.
@readingwithkristi is donating 100% of her commissions from Usborne books to Dallas area homeless shelters.
Where to Donate:
Salvation Army – providing shelter and food assistance.
Food Banks:
Feeding North Texas Food Bank – for food donations, supplies are low.
Housing and Warming shelters:
Austin Area Urban League – helps those in Austin area find warming shelters.
Coalition for the Homeless has been on the streets of Houston doing outreach in order to get people into shelters and warming centers.
Dallas Stop Evictions is moving people off the streets into hotels, as well as giving them hot food, groceries, and hygiene essentials.
@feedtheppldfw – Providing mutual aid to DFW area. Find their website here.
Donate to the homeless with this fundraiser put together by Eastside Gems. Nearly $30,000 raised.
The Family place has had to evacuate due to damage. Donate here.
Genesis Women's shelter also had to evacuate, donate here.
OurCalling is providing transportation and shelter to those in need.
Austin Pets Alive! is working to keep animals safe.
If you're in the Texas area and want to help, here's what you can do:
- Donate money to organizations that need help
- rescue/foster a pet
- donate lightly used winter clothing: hats, boots, scarves, gloves, etc.
- Give people a ride- transportation sign up form here.
- If a friend needs a place to stay for water, power, let them in
- This list shares where you can donate items to different organizations
Where to find help:
List of cities that need to boil water.
THIS Google doc provides a list of places that are open as well as where to find help in the DFW area. You'll find things like restaurants that are open and are providing food, places to volunteer, pet care, and warming centers.
Dallas opened a warming center in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, where people will be provided with a chair, table and light snacks. The center is also hosting a homeless shelter for people experiencing homelessness with cots and blankets. Dallas is also working to identify more city resources, like recreation centers and libraries, to be used as warming centers. Get directions here.
For a list of warming centers by region, check out this Google Doc.
For a list of shelters, housing and help in Dallas for the homeless, check out this list.
OurCalling is providing transportation and shelter to those in need.
This is an updated list of where to find assistance in Texas with food banks, shelters, and more for across Texas.
This is an updated list for help in Houston.
Updated list of resources in San Antonio.
For news and information, accounts like:
Stress Relieving Ideas
If you need a break from the stress and want to go sledding, here's where to go in Dallas:
Texans are using things like cookie sheets, inner tubes, and plastic bins to sled down the hills.
Flag Pole Hill, 8015 Doran Circle.
Hope Park in Frisco – 8000 McKinney Rd, Frisco, TX 75034
Streets with hills in places like White Rock and Bishop Arts are also an option – just be careful!
Make Snow Ice Cream. Recipe:
1 cup of milk (any kind)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch of salt
8 cups clean snow
Stay safe, y'all.
