Texas Wildfires

*photo courtesy of Deanna Roy

Make An Online Donation:

The quickest, easiest, and most effective way to help victims of the 2011 Texas Wildfires is to make on ONLINE DONATION.  Please designate “Disaster Response” in the drop-down menu.

Supplemental funds for the Texas Wildfires are being provided by the Care in Regions program of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

FEMA Registration Dates and Locations

FEMA will be available at the following locations and dates to conduct in-person registrations for FEMA assistance.  All persons who have experienced loss of property from the wildfires should register with FEMA, even if they have insurance.  You may also register over the phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) or online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Texas Wildfire FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers:

Bastrop County:

Bastrop High School 9th Grade Academy, 1602 Hill STreet, Bastrop, TX  (ongoing)

 

Click for details about FEMA assistance programs

Many have asked how they can help our local fire victims in Central Texas. The LSS Disaster Response team is working diligently to identify affected families through our network of community partners, the Red Cross, and Central Texas VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster).

LSS Disaster Response Activities:

  1. Short-term, we are addressing the immediate, emergency needs for food/shelter/clothing of individuals and families.
  2. Long-term, we will assist low-income families and renters without insurance who lost their homes and possessions.
  3. We are available for spiritual and emotional care for those in need of support, on an ongoing and long-term basis.

How To Help:

LSS Disaster Response is partnering with and recommends these agencies in Central Texas to help those looking to make in-kind donations, volunteer, provide food or hold a food drive.

Volunteer Opportunities

Bastrop County:  If you or your group are interested in volunteering to assist with clean-up, donations management, or other activities related to the wildfires in Bastrop County, please contact the Volunteer Reception Center at (512) 332-2607 or email bastropvrc@gmail.com to coordinate your activities.  Volunteer registration is available on bastroprelief.org.

Spicewood (Travis County): If you or your group are interested in volunteering to assist with clean-up, donations management or other activities related to the wildfires in Spicewood, Texas, please contact Grace Outreach Family Church at (512) 565-0800.

Other volunteers:  If you would like to volunteer to assist with the recovery from the Texas wildfires but do not have a group to work with, please register with www.volunteertx.org.  Once you register, you will be kept informed of available volunteer opportunities for these disasters.

In Kind Drop Off Locations:

LSS Disaster Response would like to thank everybody who has made material donations in support of relief efforts.  At this time, our partner agencies have stated that no further acceptance of material donations will be processed until the supply of current materials has been depleted.  Please check back here periodically for updates as new needs are identified.

Capital Area Food Bank:

Donate food: Most desired food donations are healthy, non-perishable items such as: Water and enhanced water such as Gatorade; ready to eat meals preferably with pull-up, pop tops or foil packets such as chili, stew, canned pasta w/sauce; single serving snacks such as protein or granola bars; single serving foods that do not require refrigeration such as Lunchables; diapers and baby formula.

Hold a Food Drive: CAFB has large food donation boxes available for pick up at our warehouse. Once filled please return to CAFB or call 512-282-2111 to arrange for a pick up.

Other helpful links:

LSSDR’s history of long-term recovery help following disasters in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas has equipped us with the experience to perform these services as effectively and expediently as possible. As funds allow, we will address this demand as long as it takes and are here for the “long haul.”

Additionally, we are asking for your prayers for the hundreds of families whose lives have been devastated, and the firefighters who are risking their lives battling the firestorms.

You can also help us by sharing this information throughout your own networks and on facebook.