Even as rain continues to pummel East Texas, LGBT organizations are mobilizing to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey with a focus on members of our community. In Houston, a city of over 2.5 million people, flooding has been pervasive and displaced thousands.
Following is a list of groups seeking help in raising funds and donations of needed items.
HRC San Antonio
The San Antonio chapter of the Human Rights Campaign in partnership with the #beHuman Campaign and Madison Square Presbyterian Church are asking the San Antonio community for donations of flashlights, clothes, blankets, bottled water, canned food, pet food and new stuffed animals for kids. Monetary donations will be directed to a sponsored bank account in Houston. Donations can be dropped off at the Madison Square Presbyterian Church, 319 Camden, on Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information contact Irene Galindo-Cantu at 210-317-6377 or Belinda Trevino at 361-563-2778.
Houston Montrose Center
The Houston Montrose Center, which serves over 35,000 clients, offers counseling services, addiction/recovery services, anti-violence assistance, and services to LGBT youth and seniors. The Center reports they’ve learned of staff and clients who have lost everything. They now seek to raise funds through their LGBTQ Disaster Relief Fund. Donations can be made at this link.
AIDS Foundation Houston
“We are waiting for the flood waters to recede so we can assess damage to our [six] housing facilities and the impact to our clients,” AIDS Foundation Houston reported in an email to donors. “Some may have experienced flooding or other damage that has displaced them from their homes. These and many others need emergency shelter, food, and other basic needs.” Donations are being accepted at this link.
Organización Latina de Trans en Texas
The Organización Latina de Trans en Texas is offering shelter at their Casa Ana facility to Houston-area trans people who were displaced by the storm. Monetary donations as well as donations of food, water, mattresses and personal hygiene items are desperately needed. Contact OLTT at this link to make donations.
Luther’s Hurricane Harvey Benefit Show
Luther’s Cafe, 1503 N. Main Ave., is sponsoring a Hurricane Harvey Benefit Show on Sunday September 3 at 10:30 p.m. Non-perishable food items, clothing, pet food, adult diapers, baby items and sanitary items will be accepted. Monetary gifts will be donated to the Red Cross Hurricane Harvey Fund.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is working around the clock along the Gulf Coast to help the thousands of people whose lives have been devastated by Tropical Storm Harvey. You can make a donation at this link.
