Hurricane Sandy - Outreach

How You Can Help in Response to Hurricane Sandy

By Mike Kaiser | Posted on Tuesday, October 30th, 2012

A post Hurricane Sandy look at the Philadelphia skyline and the Schuylkill River from the South Street Bridge. (Photo via Uwishunu on Instagram)

Hurricane Sandy has ripped through the Philadelphia region and now locals are reeling from the storm, assessing the damage and beginning to pick up the pieces. If you are considering pitching in and helping out others, check out this list of resources below on ways you can help.
Check on your neighbors: Knock on doors and make sure your neighbors are safe and with power. The Red Cross has a Shelter Finder web app listing available shelters in the region.
Sign up as an American Red Cross Spontaneous Volunteer: If you live in Southeastern Pennsylvania: Contact Leslie R. Fletcher, Director of Volunteer Administration at the Red Cross of SEPA, at leslie.fletcher@redcross.org or (215) 405-8558 or (267) 246-4521.
You need to fill out this application but do not let paperwork stand in your way. Volunteers may get involved for 7 days before completing the background check.
If you live in New Jersey: Contact the governor’s office of volunteerism by calling the state’s emergency volunteer response hotline at 1-800-JERSEY7.

Donate blood: The Red Cross had to cancel about 300 scheduled blood drives due to the storm. Sign up to donate blood to make up for the shortage here.

Check on the homeless: If you see someone in need of shelter, call Project H.O.M.E.‘s Outreach Coordinator at 215-232-1984.
Foster an animal: Organizations like PAWS, Red Paw Emergency Relief Team, and Street Tails Animal Rescue all have animals that are looking for temporary homes in the wake of the storm.
Donate: It’s not guaranteed that your donation will go to a Hurricane Sandy victim but, if you would like to make a financial contribution, consider these organizations: Philabundance, Feeding America, The Salvation Army, Red Cross of SEPA.
Stay informed and stay safe: Follow the local news and media outlets for updates. We’ve complied a list of local Twitter accounts that are on top of the latest news and ways to help out. Heed all warnings and take safety precautions as you head outdoors.
Add yours below: What did we miss? Add it in the comments below or email us at community@generocity.org and we’ll continue to update this post with ways people in the Philadelphia region can help in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.