Winter Storm Uri Has Left Texas in Crisis: Here's How You Can Help

Millions of people in Texas are living without electricity, water and heat after winter storm Uri tore through the state. The historic storm has left families in the dark for days, battling freezing temperatures as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas works to restore power back to at least 668,332 affected customers, according to Oncor, the largest energy delivery company in Texas. The crisis is occurring during the coronavirus pandemic, which has already claimed the lives of over 40,000 Texans.

"To go through all of that and then also to have stuff like this happen, it's like, 'One more historical event, and I'm going to develop PTSD,'" Brianna Blake, a mother of two sons, told the Texas Tribune on Wednesday. "I cannot do this."

If you're local and looking to help while still taking proper social distancing precautions, or want to contribute remotely, consider donating to these causes:

• Austin Area Urban League has launch a #LoveThyNeighborTX campaign to raise funds to provide shelter, food, water, clothing.
• Donate a care package or hygiene kit through the Integral Care Foundation, which can be delivered to:
  • Integral Care, 1430 Collier Street, Austin TX 78704
  • Please deliver between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Austin Mutual Aid is raising funds to house people in the Austin area. The donations will also go towards water, warm meals, sleeping bags, toiletries and more.
• The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) has put together a list of ways you can help Austin and Travis County residents, which includes ways to donate blankets, winter supplies, meals, snacks, monthly phone plans and more.
• To help those who have pets, you can send donations to Austin Pets Alive to provide food, medical care, shelter and more.
• The Austin American- Statesman provided a list of resources on how to conserve power in Texas, if you are in a position to do so.
• Chef José Andrés' World Central Kitchen is delivering meals to the hungry; you can donate through the organization's website.
• The American Red Cross is on the ground through its Central and South Texas chapter, and is collecting donations, as well.
• Tourism site 365 Things Austin has started a GoFundMe for relief in the area.
• Childrens' charity Baby2Baby is working with partners in Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi to get blankets and winter gear to children affected by the cold; you can donate to efforts here.
• Save the Children has opened a Texas Winter Crisis Fund to support their emergency response team and local staff in Texas, who are working to provide hygiene kits, bottled water, warm clothing, masks and hand sanitizer to migrant shelters across the southern Texas border, from Del Rio to Brownsville.
• I Live Here I Give Here has created the ILHIGH Amplify: Disaster Relief Fund, a matching gift fund that is designated to support over 130 organizations on AmplifyATX.org.
• The Houston Food Bank is collecting donations to help feed the people of southeast Texas. Every $1 can help provide three meals.
• The Dallas Wings Community Foundation has partnered with the American Fidelity Foundation and OurCalling to help people sheltering at the Dallas Convention Center. All donations will be matched up to $6,000.