This week we were not able to do a regular episode due to the storms across the country. Here in Texas things degraded quickly. We talk about our experiences (we were lucky), state leadership, and ways we can all help. Below are links referenced in the episode.

Some ways to help if you can:

Submit your public comment on the statewide power outage. You can share your experience and opinions to the Texas House of Representatives concerning a hearing they will have on statewide blackout factors and responses: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c450&fbclid=IwAR0nda65ry50zIKFO0RcjOlmPLYBrmTTZXTALLJc66NZX9pW-dm2hyWCLuw

Volunteer to check in on people to see if they are ok and have power, water, and food. Powered by the People, Travis County Democrats, and other political parties across Texas are organizing these phone banking efforts. You don’t have to be a Texas resident or have any specialized knowledge to make calls.

Places to donate:

Any location: This is a google sheet started by Sharon McMahon where people can share their needs and people can venmo them help. Direct support person to person. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1b8mJoo9CXtZ3OLKweLbRr0ubTBl7vM1dRp9xu3JTWf4/htmlview?pru=AAABd-Bp350*w_ZR9F4umpdseTrfHD1ybA

In Waco:

Waco Foundation in partnership with the City of Waco, launched the Winter Storm Community Relief Fund to receive contributions and provide support for individuals and families who were significantly impacted by Winter Storm Uri and do not have resources for basic needs and vital home repairs. To seek or give support: wacofoundation.org/winterstorm

Mission Waco: https://missionwaco.org/donate/ (Write “Meyer Center” or “cold weather” in the comment section)

St. Alba's has now closed their centers and outreach.

In Austin: Austin Mutial Aid. Venmo- austinmutualaid

Austin Area Urban League: aaul.org

In Dallas: Feed the People Dallas Mutual Aid. Venmo- feedthepeopledallas. Cashapp- $feedthepeopledtx

DFW Mutual Aid. Venmo/Cashapp- dfwmutualaid

In San Antonio: Trinity Mutual Aid. Venmo- @Trinitymutualaid

Para Mi Gente. Venmo/Cashapp: pmgmutualaid

In Houston: Houston Mutual Aid: mutualaidhou

Houseless Organizing Coalition. Paypal.me/hochtx