‘Helpless’ is the only word to describe the overall emotion that our team at DMA Solutions has felt this week watching the effects of Hurricane Harvey unfold right before our eyes and in our very own home state.
While we sit safely in Dallas just 239.5 miles north of Houston, our family, friends and fellow statesmen prepare for more rain, more flooding and more reasons for them to be evacuated, displaced and put in harm’s way. The more we see and hear across news sources and social media feeds, the more we are encouraged to do something to help.
Listening to the news and FEMA announcements, a common message we are hearing is “every little bit helps”. While recovery from this catastrophic event will take years to overcome, we can provide immediate support, and with your help – can come together as an industry and make a difference right now.
- American Red Cross – The quickest way to activate support and provide relief to victims in need of supplies. Every donation helps!
Resource: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation
- Volunteer Organizations – We have located a list of vetted volunteer organizations in Texas that are involved in the disaster relief effort and are recommended by the leader at FEMA. Organizations include shelters, religious groups, and food banks as well as child and pet specific organizations.
Resource: https://txvoad.communityos.org/cms/node/104
- IDEA: Fresh Produce Industry Relief Task Force – We are starting to see news of individual companies stepping up to support efforts with produce donations and that is and will continue to be needed! Thank you! With that, I see the incredible need for us to come together on a larger scale no matter to harness the power of our beloved industry to provide relief to the shoppers, farmers, retailers, foodservice owners and operators in the areas affected this week. When the rain stops and the water subsides, these people are going to need our trucks, food, facilities and our hands to help rebuild as they begin to put the pieces of their lives and businesses back together. If we organize our efforts as an industry no matter where we operate or live, our impact will be much more significant. We have proven over and over that when we work together we can accomplish so much!
I propose that we call on our industry associations and leaders to assemble and form a collective task force that can mobilize resources and provide relief in Houston and surrounding areas. If you are interested in being a part of task force of this kind, please email me at dalmy@dma-solutions.com. I plan on sharing any interest with leaders with TIPA, HFFVA, PMA, United and others.
Thank you all in advance for your kindness, concern and support.
