Like you, when I read of the descriptions of the kind of disaster hurricane Harvey hammered the shores of Texas in the gulf over the weekend (and still beating down), I am moved with compassion for all. It is good to think and plan about how to respond to times like this in advance. This way I’ve done my best to give direction to my heart before my heart leads me astray.
For me, the place of engagement is the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief ministry. This is a place I can send money, this is a place I have volunteered, this is a place that has a high level of accountability for the funds and integrity given to those in need. I’ve responded to needs in Idaho, Utah, and Colorado over the years with time by volunteering in a feeding unit that responds to needs for food for relief workers and or displaced people. I’ve sent money and directed my church to send money for needs in Louisiana, Mississippi, California, Texas, Indonesia directly and all places indirectly through general gifts to local, state, and national partnership with kinsmen in the faith.
If you are looking for a safe accountable place to give to meet immediate needs, I recommend only the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Ministry. Contact me for information on how you can do this if you want.
Any gifts given to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Ministry go directly to the ministry. None of this money stops at any level along the way like many other relief efforts do.