After historic snowfall and freezing temperatures, many people across the state of Texas are still without power, heat, and running water. Here are a few ways to help.
Austin
This nonprofit serves the homeless population in Austin. The organization is currently accepting monetary donations as well as blankets for its blanket drive.
This local group prepares and delivers food to the Esperanza Community, a state-commissioned campsite community in Austin.
AAUL’s “Love Thy Neighbor” campaign is raising funds for hotel rooms, water, and other basic needs for the housing insecure in the city.
Austin Disaster Relief Network
The Austin Disaster Relief Network is gathering donations to help provide both short- and long-term housing, food, and other basic needs.
Dallas-Fort Worth
The Virginia-based relief organization is serving meals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area beginning today. You can donate to their efforts or become a volunteer.
This organization serves the Fort Worth area, delivering food to pantries in thirteen counties.
This nonprofit is seeking donations to cover food, utility bills, rent, housing solutions, and home repairs for those affected.
This Dallas-based organization helps people experiencing homelessness find shelter in North Texas.
Houston
Every donated dollar will help provide three meals for families, children, and seniors in the Houston area.
Lucille’s 1913 Community Kitchen
Helmed by the chef Chris Williams, this Houston organization is preparing meals to distribute to children, the eldery, and anyone else in need.
Support warming shelters through this Houston-based organization.
Other/Statewide
Animal Shelters
Shelters across the state, as well as organizations such as Austin Pets Alive! and San Antonio Pets Alive! are accepting donations to help keep animals out of the cold.
This food bank will increase the number of food distributions to those affected by the winter weather this weekend. They accept donations and are seeking volunteers to sign up for shifts.
Feeding Texas is the largest hunger-relief network in the state, partnering with twenty-one food banks. They are seeking donations to distribute among these partners.
The Salvation Army is operating inclement weather shelters and is accepting donations to help cover food and electricity costs. Donate here.
The Red Cross is accepting monetary donations, volunteers, and blood donations for relief efforts in Texas.
Airbnb allows volunteers to register to open their homes to those seeking free and temporary shelter.
Visit the above GoFundMe page to donate to journalists from the Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth news guilds who are working around the clock to keep people informed and updated.
This South Padre Island nonprofit dedicated to sea turtle conservation is rescuing and rehabilitating cold-stunned sea turtles. Read more about the rescue efforts here.
To learn more about a charity before donating, consult Charity Navigator.
Caroline Sanders Clements is the senior editor at Garden & Gun and oversees the magazine’s annual Made in the South Awards. Since joining G&G’s editorial team in 2017, the Athens, Georgia, native has written and edited stories about artists, architects, historians, musicians, tomato farmers, James Beard Award winners, and one mixed martial artist. She lives in North Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, Sam, and dog, Bucket.
Lindsey Liles joined Garden & Gun in 2020 after completing a master’s in literature in Scotland and a Fulbright grant in Brazil. The Arkansas native is G&G’s digital reporter, covering all aspects of the South, and she especially enjoys putting her biology background to use by writing about wildlife and conservation. She lives on Johns Island, South Carolina.
