Temperatures in North Texas remain dangerously low, and thousands of individuals, families, children, and pets without shelter are in dire need of temporary housing and other resources to stay safe and warm. Unfortunately, the organizations that serve them are already stretched thin. Social distancing protocols have limited capacities at local shelters, and many warming centers are filling up, too.
If you are in a position to help, there are many ways to lend a hand. If you have nonperishable food or beverages to donate, several organizations will distribute them directly to those in need. If you have a surplus of household goods, like cleaning products, toilet paper, or blankets, you can drop them off at facilities that are running low. And if you have the means to give monetarily, your donation will have a greater impact than ever. Financial support is critical so that these organizations can continue to provide their services without interruption.
Where to Donate Money
WFAA predicted that many local organizations don’t have the financial resources they need to weather this storm. If you’re able to donate but not sure where to start, check this fairly comprehensive list of groups that you can support as they serve the unsheltered, domestic violence survivors, and other Dallasites in crisis.
Consider donating to a GoFundMe started by an East Dallas vintage shop, Eastside Gems. The shop’s owners are coordinating an effort to secure hotel rooms for individuals without shelter in their neighborhood. You can also donate to five local organizations that have banded together to fund temporary housing in hotels and motels: Austin Street Center, The Stewpot, Union Gospel Mission, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, and OurCalling. OurCalling also has an app that can be used to alert the organization if you see an individual outside without shelter. A member of their team will be dispatched to help find them a place to stay. Download the app here. The nonprofit is also helping the city of Dallas operate a shelter outside of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
Finally, both The Family Place and Genesis Women’s Shelter need our help. The women, children, and families they serve have all been evacuated; all living arrangements are now uninhabitable due to burst pipes and flooding. Both organizations are urgently seeking monetary donations to purchase supplies like batteries, flashlights, and warm clothing. Donate to Genesis here. The Family Place’s site is experiencing technical difficulties, so send them a message on Instagram to donate.
Where to Donate Blankets and Linens
Consider the below for the coming weeks. Most of these providers need money.
Austin Street Center: Queen-sized sheets
Brighter Tomorrows: New large blankets
Dallas Life: Bedding and linens
Genesis Women’s Shelter: New blankets
Hope’s Door New Beginnings: New bath towels and washcloths, pillows, sheets, and more
Interfaith Family Services: Mattress pads and full-size bedding
Mosaic Services: Accepting donations via an Amazon Wish List for household goods, bedding, and linens
SPCA of Texas: Blankets and towels
The Bridge: New fleece blankets
The Family Place: New Twin XL sheets and crib sheets
Vogel Alcove: New beach towels
Where to Donate Coats, Clothing, and Shoes
Austin Street Center: Men’s belts, 3XL-5XL men’s clothing, large and extra-large underwear for men and women, and shoes for men and women
Brighter Tomorrows: New socks and new coats
Dallas Life: Clothing for men, women, and children
Genesis Women’s Shelter: New coats, warm hats, and gloves for women and children, as well as clothing for infants and toddlers and bras and shoes for women
Hope’s Door New Beginnings Center: New pajamas and nightgowns, underwear, sweatpants, sneakers, and other items
Interfaith Family Services: Women’s and men’s casual clothing and business attire
Mosaic Services: Socks, via Amazon Wish List
Rainbow Days: Gloves and socks for children, via Amazon Wish List
Shared Housing Center, Inc.: Coats, gloves, and caps for kids and adults
The Bridge: New underwear and socks, or gently used athletic shorts and flip flops
Vogel Alcove: Spring/Summer clothing, size 3 months through 5t and youth sizes XS-XL, as well as new underwear for boys and girls, size 2t, 3t, 4t, 5t, 6, and 8
Where to Donate Other Goods (Cleaning Supplies, Household Goods, Etc.)
Austin Street Center: Antibacterial wipes, hand soap, queen-sized air mattresses
Bed Start: Furniture, dinnerware, utensils, appliances, and other household goods
Brighter Tomorrows: Toilet paper, paper towels, towels, cleaning supplies, and trash bags
Dallas Life: Bars of soap, body lotion, body powder, shampoo, conditioner, Vaseline, and plastic coat hangers
Exodus Ministries: Household goods and cleaning supplies like dish sponges, soap, toilet paper, and paper towels
Family Gateway: Household goods, via Amazon Wish List
Genesis Women’s Shelter: Sanitizer, cloth masks, gloves, and other PPE
Hope’s Door New Beginnings Center: Paper products, cleaning products, personal care products, bibs, pacifiers, and other supplies
Interfaith Family Services: Cleaning products, household goods, and other supplies
Mosaic Services: Household goods, PPE like masks and gloves, personal hygiene products, and other supplies, via Amazon Wish List
Rainbow Days: Sanitizer, school supplies, and other items for children, via Amazon Wish List
SPCA of Texas: Dog and cat treats, toys, equipment for special needs, and other pet supplies
The Bridge: Pots and pans, dog treats, and dog toys
The Family Place: Toiletries
Vogel Alcove: Spring/Summer supplies like child’s swim goggles and insect repellant, as well as Pull-Ups size 4t and 5t
Where to Donate Food
Genesis Women’s Shelter: Nonperishable snacks and baby food
Interfaith Family Services: Canned foods, nonperishables, pantry staples, and more
Mosaic Services: Grocery donations, via Amazon Wish List
The Family Place: Canned food, baby food, and formula
Hope’s Door New Beginnings Center: Baby food and formula
The Stewpot: Larger-scale donations from small businesses, restaurants, hotels, and other companies. Volunteers can also sign up to fill Ziploc bags with basic necessities like water, cereal bars, canned foods, and snacks, then drop them off for The Stewpot to distribute
The North Texas Food Bank: Nonperishables and canned foods; donate in person or via Amazon Wish List
