As parts of Central Texas recover from floods over July 4 weekend — and some areas brace for further impact as rains continue — civilians can pitch in with donations and volunteering.
Before Texans start weighing their options, they should check the Facebook page for the City of Georgetown, which is sharing the most important, official information in real time.
Many local NGOs, community groups, restaurants, small businesses, and even motivated individuals are stepping up to organize efforts. However, many are outdated after the weekend or are at capacity. CultureMap's initial list included more than 100 initiatives.
On this list, we've narrowed it down to the best options that are current as of July 7. This list will be updated throughout the day. Donors should check each source for updates before committing, since needs are changing hour-by-hour.
These resources are best suited for civilian donations, but some organizations are seeking qualified volunteers. To avoid overwhelming organizers, this list does include organizations accepting volunteers, but usually does not denote them. Those interested in volunteering should check the websites and social media profiles of organizations they're interested in helping based on their existing skills.
If you are a hospitality business owner or representative organizing a fundraiser or supply drive and would like to submit it to this list, please send us a message here. Please include address, time frame, and desired goods or offer. The initiative must be published on a public platform (e.g. Facebook or Instagram) to be considered.
Direct Aid
These organizations are on the ground or otherwise activated in affected areas and are widely recommended as trusted recipients of donations and volunteers.
- The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund: The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country started this relief fund specifically for this disaster. It is the main fundraiser being shared by news organizations.
- World Central Kitchen: This global organization posted the following excerpt on Monday, July 7: "WCK's Sam [speaking to camera] is on the ground in Texas, evacuating the area during a new round of active flood warnings. The team just finished the day's meal delivery for firefighters who are working on search and rescue, following flash floods that caused deaths and left many people missing over the July 4 weekend."
- American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is a world leader in rescue organizations. However, the Central Texas Central and South Texas Chapter commented July 6 that it no longer needs donations of physical goods. Online donations to the Red Cross are always open.
- Texas Search and Rescue: TEXSAR only operates at the direction of local, state, and federal agencies. As of July 6, teams were still working in multiple affected areas, and have not shared any signs of winding operations down.
- Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is a religious organization known for its relief works, which it executes in partnership with government organizations. The Kerrville division says it is at capacity for physical donations. Donations are still being accepted online, in a form that is specifically dedicated to the floods.
- Mercy Chefs: Mercy Chefs is another faith-based organization with large-scale response capabilities. On July 6, the team marked its first full day of feeding first responders, volunteers, and affected people, and requested meal donations online.
- H-E-B: H-E-B has its own official disaster response team, which has donated millions of dollars to certain causes and delivered meals and water. Shoppers at checkout can scan a code to add a $1, $3, or $5 donation. The entire donation right now goes to providing support to Kerrville and other Hill Country communities affected by floods.
- Project Mend: This San Antonio-based medical equipment reuse nonprofit is helping people with mobility aids and other medical devices.
- Teladoc Health’s Natural Disaster Hotline: Teladoc Health has announced via press release that it is standing by to assist Central Texas flood victims with non-emergency health needs for free. It is not a nonprofit and is not seeking help from the public. It is on this list as a low-effort, no-cost to share with those seeking resources.
- GoFundMe: As always, GoFundMe is a flexible option for those who want to put funds directly in the hands of certain families or individuals who need help. Although GoFundMe does not strictly verify each fundraiser, it offers verification guidelines and offers full refunds within a year in case of fraud.
- Austin Mutual Aid: Austin Mutual Aid is a grassroots organization that provides help as needed in a wide variety of circumstances, often by community members acting in individual capacities. It is a useful option for people who want to act quickly, respond to specific needs, or have offers that don't fit most mainstream organizations' asks.
- Operation Airdrop: This nonprofit sends small planes to disaster sites. As of July 7, it is accepting in-kind donations at Burnet Municipal Airport (KBMQ) and Addison Airport (KADS), as well as online financial donations.
Restaurants/Food & Beverage
- Cabo Bob’s (Austin, San Antonio, Houston): Burrito chain Cabo Bob’s has already completed a round of fundraising at all its locations and is planning another initiative to start Tuesday, July 8. Needs are not yet known, but will be updated on Instagram. The chain has locations in multiple cities.
- Commodore Perry Estate: This hotel and its restaurant (4100 Red River St.) will be accepting donations on a rolling basis, offering drop-offs from 8 am to 8 pm daily with an unspecified end date. In-kind donations needed include food, clothes, cleaning supplies, and more.
- Hai Hospitality: The restaurant group will donate a portion of sales from all Texas-based Uchi, Uchibā, and Uchiko restaurants to disaster relief nonprofit Mercy Chefs. Guests can also donate directly by rounding up their checks at all Loro locations in Texas.
- Hopdoddy (Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio, more): All Hopdoddy locations will donate 100 percent of profits from every purchase on Wednesday, July 9, to Texas Search & Rescue.
- Garbo’s Lobster: Proceeds from every peach pie sold at all Garbo’s locations (all in Austin) from now until Sunday, July 13, will be donated to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.
- Good Vibrations Pizza Co: From now until Sunday, July 13, Good Vibrations (415 E. St. Elmo Rd., 1 d2) will donate 100 percent of its profits to support relief efforts. The restaurant is also looking to coordinate providing mobile hot meals with other local organizations.
- Jester King Brewery: As of publication time, Jester King is at capacity for essential goods and is no longer accepting donations. It is included because it is one of the most widely spread fundraisers on social media. Craft Beer Austin has compiled a list of Central Texas breweries still accepting donations or donating proceeds to relief efforts.
- Lucky Lab Coffee (Austin, Dripping Springs): This coffee shop (31560 Ranch Rd. 12, Ste. 101) has an urgent need for gift cards to Petco, H-E-B, Amazon, and Visa; plus non-prescription pet medications (such as flea medication). Other items include unopened dog and cat food, pet crates, leashes, litter boxes, blankets, and cleaning supplies. Donations can also be made at the flagship Austin coffee shop (2421 San Antonio St.) People who donate will receive a coupon for a free drink in appreciation.
- P. Terry’s Burger Stand (Austin, San Antonio, Houston, more): On Thursday, July 10, Texas burger chain P. Terry's will donate 100 percent of profits from all 36 restaurants to the Austin Disaster Relief Network’s “Central Texas Flood” campaign.
- Soupleaf Hot Pot: This all-you-can-eat hot pot restaurant (6929 Airport Blvd.) will donate 40 percent of its profits to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund on Wednesday, July 9.
- South Austin Beer Garden: The beer garden is accepting in-kind donations all week long at 10700 Menchaca Rd., and will donate them to Kerr County flooding victims the following weekend. A list of requested items can be found on SABG’s Instagram page.
- The Brewtorium: Accepting donations at 6015 Dillard Cir. A during unspecified times this week for clothes, non-perishable food, water, diapers, feminine hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and pet food.
- The Tiny Minotaur Tavern: The Tiny Minotaur Tavern (2701 E. Cesar Chavez St.) is an immersive fantasy bar and space for the arts. It is collecting goods for personal care kits including items like bug repellent, clean towels, and small toiletries.
- Spare Birdie (Cedar Park): Accepting donations at 1400 Discovery Blvd. until Friday, July 11. In-kind donations include trash bags, diapers/wipes, new socks and underwear, brooms, bleach, batteries, and more.
- Mikey V's Tacos (Georgetown): Patrons at this downtown Georgetown taco shop (112 W 8th St.) can purchase gift cards to pay for meals for community members in need. Anyone affected can stop by for something to eat, no questions asked.
- Namaste Dine In (Georgetown): Georgetown residents impacted by floods are encouraged to stop in at this Nepali and Indian restaurant (103 N. Austin Ave., Ste 105) for a hot meal and assistance.
- Treaty Oak Distilling (Dripping Springs): The distillery at 16604 Fitzhugh Rd. is preparing pallets with donations; see the updated list on Instagram. Treaty Oak has also organized a plane and tow truck to transport donations to Kerr County. The business will be collecting donations throughout the week from noon to 4 pm.
- 12 Fox Beer Co. (Dripping Springs): Collecting supplies from noon to 9 pm at 4700 W. Fitzhugh Rd., and is in need of volunteers to help with cleanup and donation delivery. Requested donations as of July 7 include bottled water, Gatorade, electrolyte drinks and packets, protein bars, gas cans (empty or filled), work gloves, crow bars, and wheelbarrows.
- Mazama Coffee Company (Dripping Springs): The coffee shop at 301 Mercer St. will donate 100 percent of proceeds from sales of their signature Texas sugar cookie to help with relief efforts. Several other local businesses – Lewis Family Medicine and Urgent Care, Jesse James Firearms, Gus Plus Us (Caster Studios), Vintage Soul, One Chapel, and Slice Street Pizza, and Dripping Springs City Lifestyle Magazine – will match cookie sales up to $1,000.
- Meridian (Buda): Meridian (200 Main St.) will host a donation drive on Tuesday, July 8, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Supplies requested include gallons of water, non-perishable food, flashlights and batteries, hygiene products, baby items, and more. A full list of requested items is available on Meridian’s Facebook page.
- Chemn Cafe (Elgin): The Elgin-based coffee shop (114 N Main St.) is accepting donations all week long during normal business hours.
- Folklores Coffee House (San Antonio): Folklores (1943 N. New Braunfels Ave.) is only accepting donations for cleaning supplies, work gloves, detergent, baby soap, and hygiene products. Volunteers are also needed for donation drop-offs.
- Roadmap Brewing Co. (San Antonio): The San Antonio-based brewery (723 N. Alamo St.) is accepting donations for clothing (all ages and sizes), non-perishable food, hygiene products, pet supplies and food, bottled water, bedding, and other essentials until the morning of Wednesday, July 8. Donations will be taken to the Salvation Army in Kerrville.
Local Churches
Churches were an early safe bet for donations, and have filled up over the weekend. Like many of the direct aid organizations above, churches need funds and volunteers more than continued physical donations. Some churches outside of Kerrville, the epicenter both of flooding and of donations, may still be collecting resources. However, none of them seem to be making a major online push for aid.
- Cross Kingdom Church: A representative of Cross Kingdom Church in Kerrville posted a video July 7 explaining that the church was well stocked and had mostly stopped taking donations. The speaker also urged viewers to only use the donation link on the church’s website (to avoid scams) and only to arrive for volunteer work they’ve already been approved for.
- First United Methodist Church: This church in Kerrville acted as a medical shelter and like others, has stopped taking in-kind donations. It is still accepting monetary donations. It emphasizes that unsolicited donations are now hindering relief work.
- Riverside Church of Christ: On July 7 the Riverside Church of Christ in Kerrville posted that it is no longer accepting donations. It will post an update as immediate disaster relief winds down and longer-term needs emerge.
- Southern Oaks Church: Southern Oaks Church in Kerrville has also posted that it is no longer accepting physical donations. However, gift cards and monetary donations are highly valued because they allow recipients to choose what they need.
Other Relief Efforts
- Centro San Antonio: The nonprofit will host a vigil and relief drive at Travis Park (301 E Travis St., San Antonio) on July 7 starting at 8:30 pm. The Red Cross and Goodwill Industries will be on-site to collect non-perishable donations. Downtown San Antonio City Garages will offer free parking during that time.
- Texas Children’s Hospital: The North Austin hospital at 9835 North Lake Creek Parkway is hosting a donation drive to collect non-perishable food and bottled water, infant care items (diapers, wipes, formula, diaper rash cream), and comfort care items (new toys and books for children, new blankets, new socks and undergarments in all sizes). Donations can be dropped off at the first floor main entrance next to the stairs, or on the second floor atrium.
- Vino Vinyasa: This wine-and-yoga practice will donate 100 percent of proceeds from its upcoming special event at Fall Creek Vineyards in Driftwood (18059 Ranch to Market Rd. 1826) on Sunday, July 20, to the Kerr County Relief Fund. Tickets are $30 per person.
- James Avery Jewelry: In addition to committing $1 million to support flood relief efforts, this Kerrville-based jeweler will donate 100 percent of proceeds from purchases of the “Deep in the Heart of Texas” charm from now until August 4. As of publication, James Avery says the charms are now out of stock, but customers can still visit their local store or contact customer service at 1-800-283-1770 to place an order.
- Kendra Scott: According to Kendra Scott’s Instagram, 100 percent of proceeds from sales of all Everlyne bracelets will be donated to aid in “the most immediate needs for victims, their families, and the community in Central Texas.” All bracelets are sold out as of publication, but will be restocked at an undetermined time.
- Hope House (Liberty Hill): Disability care nonprofit Hope House (1705 County Road 285) is in urgent need of volunteers to help clean and clear debris from the charity’s homes. Volunteering will resume daily starting on Tuesday, July 8 from 9 am to 4 pm. Hope House is also in need of monetary donations for staff, facility repair costs, and essential care items for residents. An Amazon wishlist is also available.
- Wild Bunches Floral: This Driftwood-based wedding floral business is partnering with Solo Wholesale Floral and Hilverda De Boer to provide funeral florals for flood victims’ families for free. Floral arrangements can be delivered to Kerrville, Austin, and any other Central Texas towns affected by the floods. Wild Bunches can be contacted directly at info@wildbunchesfloral.com.
Due to the nature of volunteer work and community organizing, some of the above organizations have political leanings that CultureMap has omitted in the interest of sharing resources. None require any religious or political affiliation to give or receive help.