A guide to how you can help people in Texas suffering from unprecedented winter storms

• A rare winter storm has left hundreds of thousands of Texans without power, heat, and water.
• Deaths are mounting across the state as freezing temperatures and food and water shortages persist.
• Here is a list of organizations and nonprofits accepting donations to help those in need.
• Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Following one of the worst winter storms in the state in years, millions of Texans were left without power and heat after frigid temperatures stalled natural gas production that caused mass power outages across the region this week.

Though power has been restored for most, more than 400,000 households across the state were still experiencing outages Thursday afternoon, according to Poweroutage.us. Meanwhile, the state now faces a burgeoning water crisis with numerous reports of burst pipes and a growing list of advisories to boil water in major cities due to frozen pipes and damaged infrastructure. 

Hospitals throughout the state are struggling with crowded rooms and no water, and there are increasing reports of empty grocery store shelves as the crisis begins to disrupt supply chains.

President Joe Biden has declared a federal state of emergency, but additional help is urgently needed, especially as a second winter storm is projected to batter the region and other parts of the US through Friday. 

Insider has compiled a list of charities, food banks, and organizations across Texas that are accepting donations and working to help those impacted by the storm.

National Organizations:

• The American Red Cross has more than 150 shelters and warming centers open across the region. The organization is asking for both monetary and blood donations, especially from those with Type O blood.
• The Salvation Army is providing shelter, food, and other necessary items to Texans impacted by the storm. Donations can be made through the organization's website.
• Crowdsource Rescue is a disaster-relief organization working to assist senior citizens impacted by the freezing temperatures. The organization needs volunteers to help transport vulnerable populations to safe places and to deliver food, water, and other supplies to those in need.
• If you live in the area and are safe, consider opening up your home to those in need through AirBnB's "Open Homes" program. Those who have power and water can provide temporary shelter for people in need of emergency housing. The company is also accepting donations for housing nonprofits.

Mutual Aid Funds:

Mutual aid funds across Texas, including Feed the People Dallas, Austin Mutual Aid, and Mutual Aid Houston, are accepting donations on their websites or through Venmo to provide shelter and food for people who need it. Mutual aid funds are one of the fastest ways for local communities to provide direct help to people in an emergency.

• @ feedthepeopledallas (Dallas)
• @ mutualaidhou (Houston)
• @ austinmutualaidhotels (Austin)
• @ pmgmutualaid (San Antonio)
• @ feed956 (Laredo)
• @ ntxmutualaid (North Texas)
• @ CC-DSA (Corpus Cristi)

Food Banks

Feeding America has a database of food banks across Texas and nationwide, searchable by zip code and is accepting both monthly and one-time donations. The organization also helps place volunteers at local food banks to help stock shelves, assist at drive-thru pantries, and deliver meals during COVID-19.

Animal Shelters

• Austin Pets Alive needs monetary donations and supplies, including water, diesel fuel, gloves and hand warmers, and flashlights.
• The SPCA of Texas is also accepting donations to help protect the state's furry friends impacted by the storm.
• Operation Kindness is a North Texas organization providing assistance to animals in need of medical care, companionship, and a home.

Local Organizations

Austin

• The Austin Area Urban League launched the #LoveThyNeighborTx campaign to provide shelter, food, water, and clothing to those struggling in Austin. Donations can be made on the organization's website.
• The nonprofit organization Front Steps in Austin is running a winter blanket drive, and those who wish to donate a warm blanket can drop it off at the organization's downtown location or order the blanket online and have it shipped to the shelter.
• The Austin-American Statesman compiled a comprehensive list of restaurants and businesses in the city that are providing free meals this week. Donations can be made at Good Work Austin's Community Kitchen. 

Dallas

• OurCalling is a Dallas-based nonprofit serving the homeless and leading efforts to secure shelter for people in need during the storm. Donations can be made here.
• Another housing nonprofit in the Dallas area, the Bridge Homeless Recovery Center is working to provide transportation to the city's convention center, which is serving as a temporary shelter. It's also providing food and COVID-19 tests, according to The Dallas Morning News. The group is also accepting donations.

San Antonio

• The South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless Facebook page has provided a list of emergency shelters open in San Antonio, many of which are accepting donations and donated items directly.  

Houston

• Brooke Parkinson, director of Volunteer Houston, told the Houston Chronicle that volunteerhou.org is a great place to start for those searching for places  to donate time, money, or goods to help people in the city. 

Many local news outlets in the state have also compiled their own comprehensive lists of open warming centers, shelters, and winter storm tips for those in need.