Allen Harim sent a truck to Houston loaded with 40,000 pounds of chicken. The food was distributed to Operation BBQ Relief, which is working to feed first responders and those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Organizations and individuals are reacting to wind and flood damage caused by Hurricane Harvey by donating money, clothing and personal items.

As local residents write checks and fill gift bags with items from deodorant to nail clippers, businesses are sending truckloads of food and clothing to Texas.

Facebook announced it would match donations and President Trump is reportedly giving $1 million. The American Association of Retired Persons older than 50 and will match contributions up to $1.5 million, according to National Public Radio.

Locally, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore activated its Disaster Relief Fund after the hurricane and announced the foundation would match the first $5,000 in donations.

See CFES.org/donate, or send a check to Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Disaster Relief Fund, Community Foundation, 1324 Belmont Ave., Suite 401, Salisbury, MD 21804.

An anonymous donor advisor at The Community Foundation pledged a $25,000 match in contributions for the Disaster Relief Fund.

“In times of crisis, donors can sometimes be hesitant to send monetary donations, but by working through local community foundations, donors can feel assured that funding will be spent only for the intended relief purposes,” Erica Joseph, president of the Community Foundation, stated in a news release.

Members of #50K Souls, founded in Salisbury by Mandel Copeland to provide spiritual, charitable and educational support, is collecting sweaters, sweatshirts, socks, packaged foods, blankets, pillows, towels, diapers, baby formula, toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste, ready-to-eat foods, first aid kits, rubber gloves, feminine products, shampoo and hair conditioner.  

Items can be dropped off at several locations, including New Dimensions Ministries at 1907 Jersey Road, First Baptist Church at 528 Booth St., Bethany Lutheran Church at 817 Camden Ave., The Hair Studio at 308 Lake St., WDIH Radio Station at 7754 Jersey Road and Free Indeed Ministries at 418 West Market St. in Snow Hill.

To give money, see paypal.me/50KSoulshelp. E-mail to 50Ksouls2018@gmail.com or see 50ksouls.com.

Allen Harim, based in Seaford, sent a truck to Houston loaded with 40,000 pounds of chicken.

It will be distributed to Operation BBQ Relief, which is working to feed first responders and those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Perdue Farms committed a minimum of 1 million pounds of protein for Houston and communities in southeastern Texas.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those people affected by this developing tragedy,” Steve Evans, president of Perdue Foods, said.

“The images of suffering are heartbreaking and we’re compelled to do our part to help. We hope that our donation will provide some level of comfort to those impacted. We know the recovery process will be long and difficult for many, and Perdue will continue to look for ways to assist,” he stated.

Half the protein donation will be distributed to food banks in Houston, Victoria and San Antonio. Perdue also donated about 68,000 pounds of its Spot Farms dehydrated dog food to Feeding America.

“As families in Houston and other areas in Texas that were devastated by Hurricane Harvey struggle to reclaim their communities, Feeding America is grateful to partners like Perdue that respond quickly with valuable product,” Bill Thomas, chief supply chain officer at Feeding America, a network of food banks, said.

The Houston Independent School District will receive 500,000 pounds of protein for victims and first responders.

Betti Wiggins, nutrition officer for the school district, said those who suffered loss are concerned about shelter as they rebuild.

“The donation from Perdue Farms will help us to feed them good, nutritious food and that will be one less thing for them to worry about,” she stated.