One could argue that every day is an emergency for food banks around the country.
Many of the people we serve, whether it’s 85 and sunny or 5 below and windy, are in dire need of emergency food. We are their lifeline. Their last resort.
The emergency unfolding in Texas and Louisiana this past week, however, has reached a historic level. Hurricane Harvey’s devastating rainfall has left thousands homeless and wreaked havoc on the Texas emergency food system.
BLOG: Feeding America’s Continued Response to Harvey
The numbers are staggering. 50+ inches of rain in some areas of Texas … More than 30,000 homes destroyed by flooding … In excess of $125 billion in damage. Some perspective for western New Yorkers: The total rainfall in Texas could equal the volume of water that flows over Niagara Falls … for an entire year.
This is why the Feeding America network exists, and Foodlink is proudly assisting in the relief efforts. This week, we are sending a truckload of food and supplies — 30,551 pounds worth — to our food bank partners in Texas. Items include: Water, hygiene products, snacks, crackers and cookies, and juice pouches.
As you can imagine, food banks in the disaster area face a deluge of requests in the days following a disaster. This is why Feeding America acts as the central hub for out-of-state food banks offering to help through the donation of food, water or staffing assistance. With so much of the Texas food banks focusing on local relief efforts immediately following an emergency, the Feeding America team helps handle the logistics for donations such as ours.
Feeding America food banks affected by the storm include: Houston Food Bank, Food Bank of the Golden Crescent, Southeast Texas Food Bank, Food Bank of Corpus Christi, San Antonio Food Bank, North Texas Food Bank and Brazos Valley Food Bank.
Foodlink is not alone in demonstrating our collaborative spirit. Dozens of food banks, from New Jersey to California, have offered their support by sending food, water, supplies, personal hygiene products and more to our friends in Texas. Others are offering personnel support, too.
How can YOU help? You can click on any of the links above and donate to any Texas food bank, all of which will see a dramatic increase in need in the days, weeks and months ahead. Food banks are just one type of emergency relief organization that need our help. Other nonprofits that serve children, animals, people with disabilities and the homeless are also in need. NPR has done a nice job providing links to a variety of services.
>> How to donate safely and avoid charity scams
Foodlink will continue to monitor the situation in Texas, and pray for those affected by this disaster. We wish all of our food bank partners the best in the weeks ahead, as Houston and all cities and towns affected by Harvey, recover and rebuild.
