How to Donate to Flood Victims

Floods wreak havoc on homes and businesses.

A flood can damage homes and businesses and can sicken people and animals. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, floodwater often contains infectious organisms including intestinal bacteria and agents of typhoid, paratyphoid and tetanus. Donate your money or nonperishable goods through a reputable nonprofit charity organization like Oxfam or Save the Children to provide aid to flood victims.

Things You'll Need

• Credit card, check or Paypal account
• Nonperishable goods
• Garbage bags
• Boxes
• Mailing labels
• Shipping fees

Instructions

1. Choose a charity organization that helps flood victims. You can find reputable nonprofit charity organizations online at Charity Navigator.

2. Visit the charity organization's official website and donate money. Locate the "Donate" tab or button on the organization's website and click to donate. Choose a payment method and enter the amount of money you want to donate. You can choose to make a single or monthly donation to help aid flood victims.

3. Gather nonperishable items you're willing to donate to the flood victims. You can donate first-aid kits, cleaning supplies, sanitary supplies and nonperishable food items.

4. Secure the nonperishable goods in garbage bags and distribute the items to the charity organization. You can drop them off at the organization's donation bin or local branch.

Tips & Warnings

• You can donate money by check or credit card, or through Paypal.

• If the organization you're donating to doesn't have a donation bin or is far from where you live, ship the goods to the organization's headquarters.

• You can help more flood victims by holding a fundraiser (such as a gargage sale or bake sale) or by collecting as many nonperishable goods as possible from members of your community.

• Before you donate money online, make sure that the charity organization to which you're donating is legitimate and not a scam.

• Mailing goods to an organization can be very expensive.

References

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Flood Cleanup

Resources

• Charity Navigator: Find a Charity You Can Trust
• Oxfam: Donate
• Save the Children: Ways to Give