In the wake of Hurricane Harvey Houstonians showed the world what it means to be a good neighbor as citizens by the thousands poured out the hearts, their love and their contributions of all kinds to minister to the needs of those who had been displaced by Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath. The volunteer lines at the George R. Brown Convention Center, NRG Park and the Toyota Center were epic. But so too was the number of individuals and organizations that found other ways to serve and volunteer. Just a partial list of the organizations that either served as distribution centers or led other volunteer efforts includes the Church Without Walls, Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, the Shrine Cultural and Events Center, the Nation of Islam, the Association of Black Psychologists, the Diaper Foundation, the Breakfast Klub, Harvest Time Church, Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Houston Northwest Church, Free Indeed Church International, Second Baptist South Campus, Free Indeed International, the Houston Pregnancy Center, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 97.9 FM the Box, Black Greeks Speak who wisely collected and distributed Black hair care products, and others. And this doesn’t even take into account the organizations and fellowships from other cities who either sent supplies or volunteers to help out with relief efforts, like the Mr. Catfish food truck that came from Austin and provided over 500 free hot meals, the Cajun Navy and their fleet of life-saving boats or the conglomeration of churches in Huntsville, Alabama that sent a U-Haul truck filled to the brim with supplies of all kinds. Our neighbors from across the country, along with good people right here in the Bayou City, worked together to show the world the true meaning of Houston Strong.
