By Karen Y. Stevens

My heart goes out to all those who are displaced out of their homes due to the flooding. Most of us do not like change and especially when it is thrown on us unwelcomingly. I’m sure most of the flood victims have found shelter from a friend, family, community shelter, etc. but it is not the same as having the security of your own home. You have a constant feeling of uneasiness and a lack of security. The lack of security that you can’t protect your family or that you are not in control. You don’t have your familiar, personal items, around you, that comfort you. This article is directed to those looking for help from the flood and those who want to give help. There is a local web site created for those who fall in those categories which is SETX Flood the Love.

There is also the Southeast Texas Food Bank Inc

Address: 3845 S M L King Jr Pkwy, Beaumont, TX 77705

Phone :(409) 839-8777

Hours: · 8:30AM–4PM

 

This organization has a limited amount of clothes, food and funds that they distribute.

Orange Christian Services

Address: 2518 W Park Ave, Orange, TX 77630

Phone: (409) 886-0938

 

At the Red Cross, you can receive water, food, help with insurance, etc.

Red Cross

Address: 3901 I-10, Orange, TX 77630

Phone: (409) 883-2322

Shelter locations are opened at the following locations:

 

Burkeville Baptist Church

268 County Road 2092

Burkeville, Texas 75977

 

First Baptist Church of Kirbybille

105 North Barrow Ave

Kirbyville, Texas 75956

 

First United Methodist Church

11929 TX-12

Mauriceville, Texas 77626

 

The Red Cross is not equipped to handle a large influx of donations such as household items, clothing or food. The best and quickest way to get them to people in the area is to send them to the agencies that are most qualified and equipped to manage them.

Please take clothing, food and other things to:

The Salvation Army

1950 MLK Drive

Orange, Texas 77630

Phone: (409) 291-8400

http://www.salvationarmy.org/

Community Church

3400 MLK Drive

Orange, Texas  77632

Phone:(409) 883-4498

http://www.ccorange.org/

People can help by donating to Red Cross Disaster Relief and support disasters big and small by visitingredcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.  Donations to Disaster Relief will be used to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

 

Bridge City Public Library is collecting the following items for the flood victims. 
Drop off times are :
Mon.-Wed. 10am – 6pm, Thurs. 1pm – 7pm, and Fri. 9am – 2pm

Items needed:

Bug Spray
Germ-X
Clorox Wipes
Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
Deodorant 
Razors & Shaving Cream
Sunblock
Toiletries
Shampoo & Conditioner
Bath Soap
Bath Size Towels 
Paper Towels
Toilet Paper 
Trash Bags of all sizes 
Gatorade
Bottled Water
Ready to eat foods 
(Peanut butter crackers, cereal bars, energy bars,
all things wrapped in singles servings)

You can contact the Library at:  735-4242

All donations are greatly appreciated!

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Customer service: 1 (800) 621-3362

Technical support: 1 (800) 745-0243

 

Helping Hands

Address: 600 Morrell Blvd, Orange, TX 77630

Phone: (281) 206-4308

 

The Salvation Army has posted on their Facebook page, that they are feeding displaced people and the first Responders.

Salvation Army

1960 Martin Luther King Dr.

409 883-4232

A lot of local companies and individuals are collecting food and donating it to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the food bank. Please take advantage of these organizations since the local people, have the flood victims in mind when they are donating. Also, there is a church within blocks of each other that might not have the funds to help you, but they are always willing to pray with you, and the power of prayer can relive a lot of stress.

 

 

Karen Y. Stevens is Founder of the Orange County Christian Writers Guild