How Can I Help?

"I get by with a little help from my friends" - the Beatles

After a major storm like Hurricane Ike, people will ask, What can I do to help? I recommend two articles that cover this topic well.

The first is by a resident of Austin, TX, who describes the impact Ike refugees is having on the local food banks and relief organizations which were already strained by three years of supporting refugees of Hurricane Katrina: http://www.groupnewsblog.net/2008/09/hurricane-ike-what-you-can-do.html

The second article is by CNN and lists charities that it has vetted for credibility and which are endorsed by the independent charity evaluation group, CharityNavigator.org. Many of the groups listed by CNN specialize in rebuilding and feeding after a disaster: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/hurricanes.html

Bottom Line
If you give money, give it wisely. Research the charity or organization to make sure it spends most of its dollars on the victims and not on advertising and salaries. Decide what efforts you wish to support - first responders, home building, meals & food banks, recovery counseling, etc. Each charity has an area of excellence and specialization.