If you haven’t been hiding under a rock, you know the extent of the damage caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Texans are looking at months of recovery, and Floridians are finally headed home after one of the largest evacuations in US history. Meanwhile, the the devastation in the Caribbean is of epic proportions.
Those of us mindful folks watching from the sidelines want to help, but knowing which kind of aid to send can be confusing. If you’d like to donate to Harvey and Irma victims, here are some mindful ways to do so.
According to the Salvation Army, the best thing you can send is money, Monetary contributions support local economies and ensure that businesses can operate when relief supplies diminish. If you’d rather send goods, it’s wise to go through a trusted organization instead of mailing them on your own.
Although the Red Cross has been criticized for a lack of transparency in how it distributes relief funds, the organization is always among the first relief services on the ground and says that ninety one cents of every dollar goes to the victims.
Additionally, Feeding Florida and Feeding South Florida and Houston Food Bank are food banks in need of monetary donations.
Global Giving connects nonprofits, donors and companies in nearly every country around the world. They are currently focusing efforts on the Mexican earthquake as well as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
To help animals in need, the Humane Society is doing great work sheltering and feeding lost and stray animals in both Texas and Florida. They need monetary donations and dry cat and dog food.
If you don’t have the resources to make a financial donation, you can still contribute by volunteering, donating blood, or simply sending your good thought and prayers for the victims.
If you know of other mindful resources for donations, please share them with us in the comments below.