Here’s How Idahoans Can Help Texans In Need

People are not ok in Texas and other southern sates right now. Severe weather is affecting more than 100 million Americans tonight and snow is still falling in the hardest-hit areas in Texas. While power has been restored to millions, nearly half of the state's residents (13 million) don't have access to clean, running water. By first-hand accounts and reports shared on social media, parts of Texas look like a third world country right now. There are ways to help all the way here from Idaho.

The American Red Cross is a great place to start when it comes to helping those in need right now. While donations are more than appreciated, the American Red Cross is urging healthy individuals in unaffected areas, especially those with type O blood, to give blood now. Because of the record-breaking winter weather across most of the country, Red Cross blood drives have been forced to cancel in more than 30 states. This impacts approximately 20,000 blood, platelet and convalescent plasma donations this month.

Donation appointments can be made for the coming days and weeks by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. In addition, you can also visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 cash donation.

With millions left without power or heat right now I can't help but think about the new and struggling mommas having to work to keep their babies warm and safe. Baby2Baby is an organization that works year-round to supply children living in poverty with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities that every child deserves. Donations made to Baby2Baby's Disaster Relief program will help provide cold weather supplies to families in need right now in Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. The program is working to collect blankets, warm socks, winter coats, hats, diapers, wipes, soap, formula and more to send to children in southern sates severely impacted by the winter storms.