How to Help After Superstorm Sandy

I live smack dab between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD, so we have been prepping for Hurricane Sandy since late last week. The grill was tied to the deck rail so we didn’t have it shimmying across the deck like it did in Hurricane Irene, the cushions from the patio furniture stored safely, the kids’ pumpkins moved up against the corners of the porch. We rode out the storm at home together, both schools and the federal government – my husband’s employer – closed. I found myself baking…a lot. First chocolate chip cookies and then a huge batch of peanut butter cookies made with the peanut butter I purchased in case of a power outage. I cooked an elaborate dinner for the family at four in the afternoon, ready for the power to go out as the winds increased. And my husband and I watched both the news and exploding transformers lighting up the sky outside of our bedroom window while the kids slept peacefully in their rooms.

And then the sun came up this morning to reveal eroded beaches, devastated communities, cities brought to their knees. I surveyed the house – everything still in tact – and tried the light switches – power still on! And then like most people in the U.S. did this morning, I turned on the news and wondered what I could do to help. My natural inclination is to make a baked ziti and a batch of cookies for each of my friends in Manhattan without power, but since that is completely impossible, I’m looking at other options. Here are some of the ways that we all can help in the wake of Superstorm Sandy:

1. The American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is in need of both monetary donations and volunteers to give blood.

2. Samaritan’s Purse: Samaritan’s Purse is sending disaster relief to areas affected by Sandy. You can volunteer time and/or donate funds.

3. The ASPCA: The ASPCA is finding and rescuing animals affected by the storm. You can visit their Sandy relief site to donate funds to support their work.

4. The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is providing food and shelter along Sandy’s path and is in need of monetary donations.

5. Save the Children: Save the Children’s disaster relief teams are in need of financial support.

6. World Vision: You can donate funds to support World Vision’s U.S. Disaster Relief Fund.

7. The Humane Society: The Humane Society has deployed disaster relief teams to help animals in the affected areas. They are in need of funds.

8.Feeding America: Feeding America is helping to provide food to the families hit hardest by the storm. Visit their page to find out the multiple ways to support their work.

If you have partnered with other organizations or have other ideas of ways to support Sandy relief efforts, please share them with readers in the comments section. Thank you!