What to know about the city of Houston, HCSO donation drives for victims of Hurricane Laura

HOUSTON – The city of Houston and its partners and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office are holding donation drives this week to help aid the victims of Hurricane Laura in Texas and Louisiana. Here’s what you need to know about each donation drive:

Houston

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the city’s efforts in paying to forward with a donation drive to assist people recovering from Hurricane Laura Monday.

Turner’s H.E.R Task Force, along with the help of Kroger, GFT Today, Mattress Mack and Relief Gang, will coordinate the “Houston’s Paying It Forward” Hurricane Relief Response.

“Three years ago, Houston was hit hard by Harvey’s flooding and people from across the country, assisted us,” the mayor said. “I mean they sent the supplies by the truckload at Willows road into the city of Houston. We now have an opportunity to pay it forward. It could have been at us.”

Hurricane Laura recovery

The donation drive will begin Tuesday at George R. Brown Convention Center and Gallery Furniture from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Turner said. Kroger stores in the area will also have collection boxes for residents to drop off at each of its locations.

All donations will be sent to Port Arthur, Orange, and Beaumont, Texas as well as Sulphur and Lake Charles in Louisiana. He said donated supplies will be distributed to recovering residents whose homes and personal belongings were destroyed by the hurricane.

Here are the following supplies needing to be donated:

• Diapers
• Cleaning supplies (especially with bleach)
• Personal hygiene items
• Nonperishable food
• Bottled water
• Pet food and supplies

Turner emphasized that all donated items must be new and unopened due to COVID-19 safety.

Harris County

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office announced the first phase of his department’s Hurricane Laura relief efforts Monday. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez’s department will focus on getting much-needed supplies to Louisiana’s first responders and their families.

“On Tuesday and Wednesday, all five Sheriff’s Office substations will serve as collection sites for those able to donate water, non-perishable food, tarps, electrical generators and other supplies that are in high demand in parts of Louisiana that were devastated by Hurricane Laura last week,” officials wrote. “The donation sites will be open both days from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the goal of making an initial delivery to those in need by the weekend.”

Gonzalez said in the release that when Hurricane Harvey hit in 2017, Louisiana rushed to Houston’s aid.

“Now, it’s our turn to support our friends,” he said. “We know that first responders are unable to take time off from work after a disaster to take of their own families, so we’re going to step in and give them all the support we can muster during their time of need.”

These are the donation sites:

Cypresswood Substation — 6831 Cypresswood Drive, Spring

Humble Substation — 7900 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble

Wallisville Substation — 14350 Wallisville Road, Houston

Clay Road Substation — 16715 Clay Road, Houston

Tomball Substation —23828 Tomball Parkway, Tomball

The only things officials ask you do not donate are clothing, perishable food or furniture.

These are the items that are in high demand:

COVID-19 supplies:

• Hand Sanitizer
• Facemasks

Roofing supplies:

• Roof tarps (Water-resistant, reinforced, UV resistant, min. 20′x15′)
• Lumber: 1x2 or 2x2 - 8′ or longer
• Galvanized Nails: 2 1/2″
• Deck Screws: 2 1/2″ star head
• Button Cap Nails

Electrical supplies:

• Portable Generators: 3kw to 5kw
• Empty Gas Containers: 1 to 5 gallons (must be clean)
• Generator Oil: 4-cycle 1-quart containers
• Outdoor Extension Cords: – 20′ to 50′ #10 or #12

Food, drink and household supplies:

• Non-Perishable Foods
• Water or Beverages: Must not require refrigeration
• Baby Food or Formula
• Personal Hygiene: Liquid soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, combs, brushes, adult diapers
• Diapers & Baby Wipes
• Household Cleaning Supplies
• Trash Bags: Heavy-duty contractor bags 30 to 50 gallon
• Duct Tape
• Paper Goods: Plates, toilet paper, paper towels
• Plastic Cups & Dining Utensils
• First Aid Kits
• Topical Antibacterial Ointment
• Bandages & Band-Aids: Waterproof
• Mosquito Spray
• 3′x3′ Cardboard Boxes or Plastic Tubs with Lids

“We all remember just a few short years ago when Hurricane Harvey hit here and the people from, not only Louisiana and Texas, but around the world, responded and helped us and now it’s our time to help them,” said Jim McIngvale of Gallery Furniture.

People also have the option of donating online. Click here for more information.

KPRC 2′s Cathy Hernandez contributed to this report.