Roadrunners help communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey

(Aug. 30, 2017) -- Hurricane Harvey has brought historic flooding and destruction to South Central and Southeast Texas, displacing families and demolishing homes and businesses. Our hearts are with everyone affected by the storm, and we are grateful to the many first responders and volunteers who are providing support in the 18 counties impacted by Harvey.

Over the last few days, UTSA has received many calls, emails and messages of concern. UTSA students have been particularly active in organizing donation drives and other opportunities to provide support.

“In times like this, UTSA Roadrunners are called to help, and I am so proud of the outpouring of concern and the interest our students, faculty and staff have shown in organizing and supporting recovery drives,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy.

Here are the ways Roadrunner Nation is encouraged to help those in need. Updates will be made to UTSA Today (www.utsa.edu/today) as new information becomes available.

UTSA Initiatives

Donate as you shop. All UTSA dining locations and the Rowdy Campus Stores will assist with Harvey relief fundraising efforts by allowing shoppers to make cash or credit donations during their purchases. In just two days, Roadrunners raised more than $1,700.

Donate to the Roadrunner Pantry. Monetary donations can be made online and are tax deductible as allowable by law. Food donations are accepted in marked bins at the UC Donation Station in University Center North across from the bookstore during building hours. Donation bins are also located outside the Rowdy Campus Store at the Downtown Campus. Donations will benefit UTSA students from affected areas who are in need.

Support donation efforts organized by UTSA students. Communities along the Texas Gulf Coast have been devastated and are in need of essentials like food, water, diapers and personal care products as well as things like medical and school supplies. Here is the most up-to-date list of initiatives currently underway at UTSA:

• Student organizations, led by the Black Student Leadership Council, are coordinating a university-wide donation drive through Sept. 30. Bins will be placed at the University Center (in front of the Events Management Office), Office of Student Activities (HUC 1.210, behind Subway), One Stop Centers at the JPL on Main Campus and Frio Street Building at the Downtown Campus, Student Government Office, VOICES Office and Roadrunner Café. VOICES will organize packing parties each week to pack the donated items in boxes and get them shipped to locations in need. Items will be sent to the Coastal Bend Region and Houston. 
  
  
• The UTSA Air Force ROTC Detachment 842 is holding a Hurricane Harvey Relief Drive to collect items for temporary classrooms and shelters in Houston and the Coastal Bend Region. They're asking for pencils, pens, binders, crayons, markers, baggies, drinks, dog food and personal care products be dropped off in the Graduate School and Research Building (GSR 1.220B) through Friday, Sept. 15.

• Alpha Phi Sigma, UTSA’s Criminal Justice Honors Society, are collecting food, water and personal care products in the Durango Building on the Downtown Campus.  

• Women in Leadership, in partnership with students at the University of Houston, is collecting school supply donations to help set up temporary schools in the greater Houston area, Rockport and Matagorda County. Donation boxes are located in the Laurel Village city center, Chaparral Village city center and on the first floor of the Alvarez Hall lobby.  
  
  
• The Honors Student Leadership Council will hold a Fill the Truck campaign through Friday, Sept. 8. The group is collecting non-perishable food, bottled water, baby food, diapers, flashlights and batteries, personal hygiene items, and pet items such as food, blankets and kennels. Items can be dropped off in the Honors College student lounge located in the Multidisciplinary Studies Building (MS 4.02.14) on the Main Campus.

The UTSA Alumni Association is raising money to support emergency relief for UTSA students. Click here to make a gift.

The UTSA Institute for Economic Development is collecting donations to support Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.  All contributions will be donated through the San Antonio Food Bank.  Students, faculty and staff from the UTSA Downtown Campus can take food, water, cleaning supplies, diapers, flashlights, batteries and new clothing to the Durango Building (DB 4.370).  

UTSA Athletics partnered with The University of Houston Athletics and other Texas college football teams for a donation drive. They collected hundreds of non-perishable food, paper products, baby and infant supplies, cleaning supplies, first-aid items, blankets and clothing to take to Houston. 

Donate to Campus Services’ Peanut Butter Parking Campaign. These donations will be given to the San Antonio Food Bank, which is in emergency response mode, and directed to Harvey relief. Peanut butter can be dropped off in the Multidisciplinary Studies Building (MS 1.01.52) on the Main Campus or in the Frio Street Building (FS 1.506) on the Downtown Campus during standard business hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, visit UTSA Today or Campus Services.

Community Initiatives

Support the Red Cross. Text HARVEY to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.

Volunteer your time. Call 311 to learn how to volunteer with San Antonio relief efforts.

Remember small children. The Texas Diaper Bank is putting together relief kits for families with small children who need access to clean diapers in the midst of flooding and evacuations.

Support Texas pets. The San Antonio Humane Society, Animal Defense League, San Antonio Pets Alive and SPCA of Texas are among the organizations taking in hundreds of animals transferred from shelters on the coast who aren’t safe where they are right now. You can donate to the organization to help defray the costs—or you can open your home and foster a displaced animal until it can be reunited with its owner.

Donate food. The San Antonio Food Bank is providing food to those displaced from the storm and sending food to places areas affected by Harvey.

Remember long-term impact. Donations are often plentiful in the first days and weeks following a destructive event like Harvey, but families will need help for weeks, months and years to come. Your continued support is appreciated.

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