Want to help people hit by Northern California fires and Gulf Coast and Caribbean hurricanes, but not contribute to mega-nonprofits with questionable records? Here’s a list we compiled of some ways to get funds to grassroots local groups:
Bay Area fires
The Immigrant Youth Justice Alliance is collecting funds to support undocumented immigrants affected by the fires. Donate here.
The Redwood Empire Food Bank is accepting cans of fruit and vegetables, staples, frozen meats, boxed produce and packaged beverages. But if you can, the best way to give is money.
We all know that Latino communities are the backbone of our food system from farm to table. They will have a more difficult time recovering, so please consider these communities first.
La Luz Center is in the town of Sonoma. They are a catalyst for change in Sonoma Valley through health, education and financial security services for immigrants.
The Latino Community Foundation, in collaboration with the North Bay Organizing Project and Graton Day Labor Center (see above) have created the Northern California Wildfire Relief Fund.
The Farmers Guild and Community Alliance with Family Farmers have created the North Bay Fire Recovery Fund for aiding small farmers who are the least well-resourced in the agriculture community.
For the wider community, we recommend the following:
State Senator Mike McGuire (providing great leadership through this disaster), Redwood Credit Union, and the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, have created the North Bay Relief Fund. Donate with a check payable to RCU Community Fund. Include “2017 North Bay Fire Relief” in the memo, along with a note on which county you’d like to support. Mail to: P.O. Box 6104, Santa Rosa, CA 95406. Or you can donate online here.
The Community Fund of Mendocino County has created the Disaster Fund for Mendocino County. Donate here.
The Napa Valley Community Foundation has created the Napa Valley Fire Relief Fund. Donate here.
If you know of other grassroots relief efforts, please let us know and we’ll add them to this list.
Puerto Rico
The Our Power Campaign of the Climate Justice Alliance has launched a new campaign to push for a resilient recovery for Puerto Rico. The long-term goal is to provide Puerto Ricans with tools to protect the Island’s future by helping minimize the destruction of future storms such as hurricanes. They are raising funds to provide immediate support to the Boricuá Organization for Ecologic Agriculture of Puerto Rico, a 28-year old farmer-led organization dedicated to rebuilding the island’s food sovereignty and supporting farmers. Donate here
Houston
The Climate Justice Alliance is asking that donations for Hurricane Harvey relief be made to t.e.j.a.s., Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Service, the oldest environmental justice organization in Houston. t.e.j.a.s. will deliver resources to five communities in the region they serve and act as a clearinghouse for other community organizations in the area of devastation in the Gulf South.
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, more than 80 people are dead and millions are STILL without power or drinking water. Fear of disease is spreading through Texas. Yvette Arellano of t.e.j.a.s. discusses the catastrophic lack of communication and unfair resourcing in the Harvey cleanup in this compelling interview with RT America.
Please donate generously here.
Haiti
Grassroots International is taking donations for local Haitian groups.