7 ways to help Houston hurricane victims

Treasure Valley residents are helping flood victims in Texas in myriad ways, from holding fundraisers to collecting shoes, food and other necessities.

Brad Taylor of BBQ4Life and his crew are hoping to pack two trucks full of meat, dry goods and other supplies to feed Houston-area flood victims. He’s asking people to drop meat off in boxes.

“Basically, we found ourselves in a position where there or four of us could get away, and we had access to the truck,” Taylor said, referring to an employee’s personal truck. “Since we had the ability to do it, there’s absolutely no reason we shouldn’t.”

They’ll be collecting donations in the parking lot in front of the restaurant at 930 S. Vista Ave. in Boise until 9 p.m. Thursday – and through the weekend, if they don’t fill up the trucks.

They plan to truck the food down to Texas on Monday or Tuesday, Taylor said. A GoFundMe account was set up to pay for fuel for the trucks, and almost 70 people had donated $4,900 by Thursday afternoon.

Huston Vineyards fundraiser

Huston Vineyards in Caldwell plans to donate all tasting fees and proceeds from wine sales on Saturday to Convoy of Hope, one of the nonprofit organizations providing relief to flood victims.

They also plan to hold a Cornhole for a Cause tournament for the same nonprofit. The entry fee is $5, and the tournament runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Huston tasting room is open from noon to 5 p.m.; music will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Il Segreto Wood Fired Pizza on site from noon until it’s gone.

Huston Vineyards is at 16473 Chicken Dinner Road in Caldwell.

Idaho Foodbank offers tips

The Idaho Foodbank has received inquiries from people wondering which organizations in Texas they can donate to that feed people. The Boise-based organization has posted links to some recommended groups on its website, including Feeding America and Feeding Texas.

Benefit concert at Roaring Springs

The Hope For Harvey Benefit Concert is a family-friendly event being held from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Thursday at Roaring Springs Water Park.

The event is being presented by Barefoot Media Ministries’ Project 88.7 and 89.5 KTSY. Featured artists are Reach Recording EDM/Pop artist GAWVI and Nampa’s J-Flight.

All proceeds will go to relief efforts in Texas and Louisiana. Tickets are $20 for the concert and most Roaring Springs rides. Groups of 10 or more are $15 each.

Fleet Feet Sports collecting shoes

Fleet Feet Sports Meridian is collecting gently used running shoes and new socks to send to Houston. Store staff ask that donated shoes be dropped off by Friday at the store at The Village at Meridian, 3573 E. Longwing Lane, Suite 105.

Hawks will raffle jersey, bat

The Boise Hawks have come up with several things their fans can do to help flood victims.

▪  At the Friday, Sept. 1 game, the Hawks will raffle a game-worn jersey. Raffle tickets are $1 and can be purchased at guest services until the sixth inning. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

▪  At the Sunday, Sept. 3 game, the Hawks will raffle a bat signed by the team. Tickets are $1 and can be purchased at guest services until the sixth inning. Proceeds from the bat raffle will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Donate money

Donate to the American Red Cross online here, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which helps people affected by disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires and tornadoes. Mail donations to: American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839.

▪ Donate to the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, set up by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. Go to this link to donate online.

▪ Donate money but don’t become a victim. Click here for some tips on how to avoid scammers preying those donating to charities that help flood victims.

Help displaced pets

Donate online to the Houston SPCA by clicking here. Mail checks to: 900 Portway Drive, Houston, TX 77024.

The Idaho Humane Society took in 50 dogs from San Antonio Pets Alive, a transfer that had been planned for weeks, IHS spokeswoman Allison Maier said. The San Antonio shelter is now taking in animals displaced by flooding around Houston, so IHS might be getting more dogs from that area in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned.

This story was originally published August 31, 2017 at 1:10 PM with the headline "7 ways to help Houston hurricane victims."