AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN) is asking for 5,000 care kits for those impacted by Hurricane Ida, which has now weakened to a tropical storm. ADRN said it will send Survivor Care Kits to the “most impacted communities” on the Texas and Louisiana coast.
Anyone can build a care kit at home and drop it off at the HOPE Family Thrift Store in Austin to be sent off. The drop-off site is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
"We know what it is like for a disaster to hit our own community, so when we have a neighboring community or neighboring state, we are asking ourselves the question, what can we do to help?" said Stephen Brewer, the associate director of the Austin Disaster Relief Network.
There are three different types of kits, according to ADRN’s website: A Family Care Kit, Family Care Kit with Baby, Individual Male Care Kit or Individual Female Care Kit.
To build one, you must use a plastic container with a lid and fill it with supplies based on the type of kit you’re choosing to complete.
All kits should include 12 basic items including towels, washcloths, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, blankets and pillows.
ADRN encourages everyone to add a note of encouragement along with the package. A full list of what items are recommended for each type of care kit is below:
Items for Family Care Kit
- Four towels
- Four washcloths
- Soap
- Pack of tissues
- Four toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Four packs of deodorant
- Feminine products
- Shampoo
- Four combs
- Four blankets
- As many pillows as possible/will fit
- Wipes
Items for Family Care Kit with Baby
- Four towels
- Four washcloths
- Soap
- Pack of tissues
- Four toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Four packs of deodorant
- Feminine products
- Shampoo
- Four combs
- Four blankets
- As many pillows as possible/will fit
- Wipes
- Kids wipes
- Forehead temperature strip
- Small toothbrush
- Coloring pack
- Activity book
- Baby bottles and formula
- Diapers
- Baby food
Items for Male Care Kit
- Towel
- Washcloth
- Soap
- Pack of tissues
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Comb
- Blanket
- Pillow
- Wipes
- Aftershave lotion
Items for Female Care Kit
- Towel
- Washcloth
- Soap
- Pack of tissues
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Feminine products
- Shampoo
- Comb
- Blanket
- Pillow
- Wipes
- Lotions
Once your care kit is complete, you must label the container. To do so, put a strip of duct tape on the lid and write in Sharpie what type of kit you're sending.
ADRN created the Hurricane Ida Relief Fund to raise money for those impacted by the storm. It is accepting donations, which will go towards cleaning up and rebuilding homes and providing emergency supplies to survivors and evacuees.
You can also volunteer to help ADRN partners in Louisiana with hurricane relief.
KVUE and TEGNA is also raising funds for those affecting by Hurricane Ida. You can donate to those efforts at kvue.com/donate.
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