Please read if you plan to donate items to hurricane victims

I just checked with the local Salvation Army office in Houston. All items dropped at thrift stores and drop-off trailers will go directly to the hurricane victims. However, if you have them pick up your donation, that will go into the thrift store system.

So make sure you deliver your items to the Salvation Army if you want them to go directly to hurricane victims.

I am getting some bags of items together now. Can anyone offer suggestions? Toiletries? Clothing?

http://www.designforacause.com/ (Profits from this site go to the Red Cross)

I have a whole box of clothing that I'd be eager to donate.

i friend of years jsut happen to stop by last week. sheis being asked to be spokeperson for slavation in htis area. she is having real issue, because people donate good stuff, and the poor have to pay. i understand how you distinguish the two, but.....i dont think salvation clarifies this, ergo taking advantage, which is wrong. and i have found that if a person or org can slie on morality here, they can on there.

is salvation army the only one that can get in the dome. if so, this may be something to challenge.

I have a friend that works at United Way and they may be setting up to take donations this week. She promised to let me know as soon as she hears it's set up.

uu to come on board, they would have to fight with salvation to get access. interesting. may be what the woman is looking into. i do appreciate

http://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/archives/2005/08/how_to_help_the.html

Please bear in mind that many of these phone numbers may be busy today, and you may have to be persistent to get through.

-- To reach the Houston Red Cross, call the switchboard at 713-526-8300. To volunteer call 713-313-5480. To donate money (they do not take in-kind donations) 713-284-8877

-- The Houston Food Bank needs volunteers and paper goods, cleaning supplies, bottled water, peanut butter, heat-and-eat foods, single-serving foods and snacks that don't require refrigeration, and cash. Information: 713-223-3700 or houstonfoodbank.org/katrina.htm.

-- KSBJ-FM and the Greater Houston YMCA are collecting prepaid grocery, gasoline and phone cards. Donations will be accepted today at Sharpstown Mall, Thursday at Memorial City Mall and Friday at Almeda Mall, noon-7 p.m. each day. Houston-area YMCAs will accept cards through September.

-- The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston will conduct a special collection at weekend Masses. Funds will go to Catholic Charities USA.

-- The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston is accepting tax-deductible donations at www.houstonjewish.org or Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund, 5603 S. Braeswood, Houston, TX 77096.

-- The Islamic Circle of North America is taking donations at www.icna.org and by mail at ICNA, P.O. Box 572181, Houston, TX 77257.

-- The West Houston Church of Christ, 17100 West, is collecting phone, gas and grocery cards through September for distribution to Red Cross shelters. Call 281-856-0001 or visit www.westhoustonchurch.org.

-- The Katy Chamber of Commerce, 2501 S. Mason, Suite 230, Katy, is taking donations of goods and services. Visit www.katychamber.com or call 281-828-1100 for more information.

-- Nationally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has a list of organizations accepting cash donations and or volunteers. To see the list, visit www.fema.gov and click on "How to help."