By Mandira Venkat, DEI Chair, AWT

A/P Photo/Eric Gay via Texas Monthly

Amidst the heartbreaking news of late, many are searching for opportunities to support with no idea where to start. At AWT, we are committed to supporting our fellow Texans and sought to simplify the process of giving.

The key to resilience post disaster is social support, meaning one of the most powerful things you can do is simply show up and lend your kindness and empathy. Just looking at the donation notes on the GoFundMe pages you’ll see a showering of compassion, acknowledgement, and aid, even from strangers. Evidence that our community is full of strength, love, and solidarity.

Where are you eating? Going shopping?

Good news! Several restaurants are offering their support for the community. This includes franchises such as P. Terry’s, Raising Cane’s, and JuiceLand! 

For a more comprehensive list of restaurants showing their support and the days they will be donating a portion (or even 100%) of their profits check out this article by Eater.

Kendra Scott, The Houston Diamond Girl, and the Little Words Project are also selling jewelry and donating the profits to support.

GoFundMe

I’ve done some research on GoFundMe and have seen a few families with children seeking financial assistance. It’s not an all-inclusive list so feel free to search the platform, they have an easy to use search feature to specifically find folks affected by the floods.! All those listed are either Donation Protected (meaning if it’s fishy, you will get a refund) and/or Tax Deductible.

Sylvia and Pete | Luis Jimenez | Help Jenny Rebuild | Harley and Kids | Montana and Family | De La Cruz Family | Jasmine and Family

Animals, Wildlife, and Environmental Impact

The floods have damaged and destroyed several homes, creating safety hazards too dangerous to return to. 1% for the Planet is helping All Hands and Hearts get to these homes to remove these hazards and partnering with several other organizations to provide emergency housing, medical assistance, and distribute food and water.

As a result of the floods, many pets have been displaced from their owners and are seeking emergency fostering. AustIn Pets Alive is helping coordinate aid efforts.

The floods also affected our wildlife. As noted in the Help Wildlife Rehabilitators—Texas Floods, page, “Wildlife rehabilitators impacted by this catastrophe - whether directly, by having their facilities damaged or destroyed, or indirectly, by the massive increase in intakes of injured and orphaned birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians - need your help more than ever.”

Additional Resources

Looking for more? These articles provide additional details on all the ways you can help and list specific organizations providing direct relief aid. 

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