It takes time and energy to donate or give back to communities. However, we need to focus our energy on those affected by hurricane season. Take the time to decide how you’d like to donate to help those get through the crisis they face this hurricane season.

Donate Money to a Reputable Charity

Hurricanes and other disasters often bring out the desire to help those in need. Contributing money to a reputable charitable organization is often best - allowing those organizations to purchase exactly what is needed rather than sorting through mountains of donations hoping to find something useful and throwing away the rest. When donated items can be used, there are still costs for fuel and trucks to move it where needed.

Help Clean Up

Helping out a community is one of the best ways to help people affected by hurricane season, especially if there is a lot of cleanup involved. While out volunteering, you can do your part by going to areas that had the most impact, as their areas will need more time and attention to get restored. If you can’t make it physically, consider donating cleaning supplies, such as ladders to reach high places, containers for debris, and nail guns.

Take In and Foster a Pet

Often, families flee hurricane-prone zones without their pets. Despite leaving them there, families sometimes can’t come back and claim them. As a volunteer, consider bringing a pet home to foster; this way, you’re giving displaced animals a second chance and helping keep the shelters from running out of resources.

Donate Clothes to Displaced Families

During a heavy hurricane season, families are displaced, especially if they don’t have enough time to evacuate or had no place to go. While considering the different ways to help people affected by hurricane season, consider starting a donation drive to bring in gently used clothes that you can donate to families in need. Many families with young children, and even the homeless, need supplies to help them get through the crisis.

Give Blood

If you’re eligible, you can consider donating blood to local foundations, such as the American Red Cross. By donating blood, you’re helping overwhelmed hospitals give affected families the care they need and helping them survive the impact of hurricane season.

Hurricane season is one of the worst parts of the year, but it’s also a time when we can give back to those who the natural disaster impacted. When considering how to give back during hurricane season, consider some of our ideas to help those who have suffered during hurricane season.