# Harvey relief; who/what are reputable organizations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 31, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141 "2017-08-31T01:29:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/1 "2017-08-31T01:29:12Z")
(Not sure if this is the right forum, so please feel free to move as you see fit) Ms Bizz and I would like to make a contribution to help those most in need. Can anyone suggest any organizations that are especially effective? ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2017, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/2 "2017-08-31T02:29:05Z")
FEMA is pointing to the [TX Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster](https://txvoad.communityos.org/cms/node/104) list of vetted charities. Money is king. That is what they need more than donated goods. ---
**Author:** ![bizzwire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/958977/32.png) [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2017, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/3 "2017-08-31T02:45:04Z")
Thanks, Iggy! ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2017, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/4 "2017-08-31T03:35:58Z")
And whatever you do, do not go there to help clean up. They’ve got way more people there than they can take care of as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2017, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/5 "2017-08-31T04:44:16Z")
> [@bizzwire](#): > > (Not sure if this is the right forum, so please feel free to move as you see fit) > > Ms Bizz and I would like to make a contribution to help those most in need. Can anyone suggest any organizations that are especially effective? I believe the Salvation Army is one of the best ones out there. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2017, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/6 "2017-08-31T06:00:23Z")
The New York Times published a list: > **[Where to Donate to Harvey Victims (Published 2017)](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/us/donate-harvey-charities-scams.html?mcubz=3)** > > Find out how to help those affected by the devastating flooding in Texas. However these are mostly the big national charities and Houston area charities. I would think charities targeted toward hurricane relief in the poorer, rural counties might be a better choice. ---
**Author:** ![Dobbs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Dobbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dobbs)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/7 "2017-08-31T17:05:18Z")
I would like, if I may, to direct your attention to Operation BBQ Relief. > **[Operation BBQ Relief - Healing power of BBQ in times of need](https://operationbbqrelief.org)** > > Operation BBQ Relief delivers the healing power of BBQ in times of need, feeding first responders and communities affected by natural disasters. They are a bunch of volunteers who go to disaster areas and cook up free meals for first responders and displaced people. They are a 501.c.3 organization. The web page says they are preparing to go down and support Houston, but according to their Twitter feed, they are already there. Also see - > **[Food for the Soul: Operation BBQ Relief Offering Free Hot Meals in Houston](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/food-soul-operation-bbq-relief-offering-free-hot-meals-dianna-gee)** > > Nonprofit seeking to feed displaced residents and emergency personnel HOUSTON - Aug., 30, 2017 - Operation BBQ Relief (OBR), a national nonprofit made up of championship pitmasters and volunteers is deployed to Houston to help feed those impacted by... It’s fair to ask of any charitable organization ‘how will you spend my money?’. See here - > **[Financial Transparency - Operation BBQ Relief](https://operationbbqrelief.org/financial-transparency/)** > > Financial Transparency Operation BBQ Relief is a recognized tax-exempt nonprofit organization, under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Operation BBQ Relief seeks to be transparent in its financial operations by making the following... Another fair question is ‘am I going to get asked every week to send more?’. They don’t have a page for that (I don’t think), but based on my experience, from my first donation back in '13, no. There are a few charities that seem like they were spending my entire donation asking me for even more. This isn’t one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2017, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/8 "2017-08-31T22:13:36Z")
I was ready to donate money to the American Red Cross until checking out [these](https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-08-30/skip-the-red-cross-when-helping-harvey-s-victims) [articles](http://www.slate.com/articles/business/metropolis/2017/08/don_t_give_money_to_the_red_cross_we_need_a_new_way.html) about the ARC’s poor disaster responses and lack of transparency concerning its spending. I wound up donating to the Houston Food Bank and the Animal Rescue League of Texas (which have top ratings at Charity Navigator). ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2017, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/9 "2017-08-31T22:19:35Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > I believe the Salvation Army is one of the best ones out there. They’re an explicitly Protestant Christian organization, and so have a bad track record on LGBT rights and generally do things from a Protestant Christian perspective as regards who they hire and what benefits they provide to those they’ve hired. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/10 "2017-08-31T22:24:55Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > I believe the Salvation Army is one of the best ones out there. I wouldn’t give the salvation army a dime! ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/11 "2017-09-01T00:04:11Z")
I will never give a dime to the Red Cross or the United Way. Red Cross - Every time there is a major disaster a scandal follows. 9/11, Katrina, Sandy. To hell with them. They misappropriate funds. During WW!! they treated the enlisted soldiers like shit. I found this out from my father-in-law that was in the Battle of the Bulge. Officers got free coffee and donuts, the soldiers had to pay. United Way - After it was revealed that the CEO was living lavishly on UW funds with his 17 year old girlfriend I lost all confidence. Where was the Board while this was going on? Take it from there. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/12 "2017-09-01T00:25:19Z")
My daughter and I gave money to Red Cross , I feel they’re the most reputable organization . The Salvation army is collection money too but I didn’t want to give any money to them b/c they may use some of it to buy bibles ! TV stations are having drives too Channel 5 has one going on right now. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2017, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/13 "2017-09-01T00:37:21Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I was ready to donate money to the American Red Cross until checking out [these](https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-08-30/skip-the-red-cross-when-helping-harvey-s-victims) [articles](http://www.slate.com/articles/business/metropolis/2017/08/don_t_give_money_to_the_red_cross_we_need_a_new_way.html) about the ARC’s poor disaster responses and lack of transparency concerning its spending. > > I wound up donating to the Houston Food Bank and the Animal Rescue League of Texas (which have top ratings at Charity Navigator). I’l go with that and raise you one. [Texas Diaper Bank](http://www.texasdiaperbank.org). Seriously, who thinks of that? ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/14 "2017-09-02T01:19:42Z")
I gave to the Salvation Army and Best Friends Animal Society. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2017, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/15 "2017-09-02T13:18:20Z")
> [@R.P.McMurphy](#): > > I will never give a dime to the Red Cross or the United Way. > > Red Cross - Every time there is a major disaster a scandal follows. 9/11, Katrina, Sandy. To hell with them. They misappropriate funds. During WW!! they treated the enlisted soldiers like shit. I found this out from my father-in-law that was in the Battle of the Bulge. Officers got free coffee and donuts, the soldiers had to pay. > > United Way - After it was revealed that the CEO was living lavishly on UW funds with his 17 year old girlfriend I lost all confidence. Where was the Board while this was going on? > > Take it from there. There was some scandal after the 1964 Alaska earthquake, as well; stories about people being charged for blankets and receiving bills afterward for help provided. Mercy Corps is involved in the Texas floods. They’re normally an overseas aid organization, but have made the decision to help in Texas. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/16 "2017-09-02T15:31:42Z")
JJ Watt is currently at $16 million in donations and trying for 20. > **[Houston Flood Relief Fund, organized by JJ Watt](https://www.gofundme.com/f/victimsofhurricaneharvey)** > > A message from JJ... > > There are not enough words to thank you all for your generosity. If there is o… JJ Watt needs your support for Houston Flood Relief Fund ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2017, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/17 "2017-09-02T15:42:49Z")
We looked at the options and wound up with [www.globalgiving.org](http://www.globalgiving.org) and [www.feedingtexas.org](http://www.feedingtexas.org). They seem to be a good combination of immediate and long-term relief, as well as large enough to handle the huge demand. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/18 "2017-09-02T17:41:44Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > JJ Watt is currently at $16 million in donations and trying for 20. > > [Fundraiser by JJ Watt : Houston Flood Relief Fund](https://www.youcaring.com/victimsofhurricaneharvey-915053) It’s great that he’s raised so much, but I assume he’s going to pass the money onto other organizations that are directly providing assistance in the area (although I can’t find specifics on how he’s going to use the money). So why not just contribute directly to a group that’s providing support in the area? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2017, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/19 "2017-09-02T18:40:55Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > It’s great that he’s raised so much, but I assume he’s going to pass the money onto other organizations that are directly providing assistance in the area (although I can’t find specifics on how he’s going to use the money). So why not just contribute directly to a group that’s providing support in the area? It doesn’t seem that way. He is starting up by buying supplies and filling up semis with needed equipment. Now that it’s blown up into something much larger than he ever thought he was turning it into a charity giving direct aid to the residents for long-term relief. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2017, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141/20 "2017-09-02T18:52:14Z")
I would avoid earmarking any donations I made specifically to Harvey relief. Big, photogenic disasters often get an initial wave of donations that far exceeds what can reasonably be spent, while long-term relief efforts and third-world emergencies get underfunded. If I didn’t trust an organization like the Red Cross to spend money wisely, I wouldn’t donate to it at all. And it really bugs me that people hold stupid grudges against the Red Cross because someone 70 years ago got charged for a donut. Seriously, go to Snopes or do some basic research before believing everything your grandfather (or father-in-law) said. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvey-relief-who-what-are-reputable-organizations/795141.md?page=2)