Dear Friends,
Please share this critical information with your neighbors, family, tenants, parishioners, and community partners. Below is important information regarding resources available to our community as we recover from Hurricane Beryl as of Friday, July 19, 2024. If you need additional assistance or have any questions, please contact my office.
Distribution Drive on Saturday, July 20
Bread of Life Drive-Thru Distribution Event

  • Date: Saturday, July 20
  • Time: 8 a.m. to noon
  • Location: St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2019 Crawford St., Downtown Houston
  • Event: Third Annual All-In Back-to-School Event
  • Details: Items are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information:

Food Pantries & Resources
Hurricane Beryl victims with SNAP benefits can get help from the Houston Food Bank. They also need donations and volunteers to help pack 10,000 disaster boxes per day for Beryl victims and others facing hardship.
Individuals – including kids – and groups are welcome to volunteer. Registration can be done online for shifts
To see and register for available timeslots, visit: www.houstonfoodbank.org/volunteernow
Additional Community Support Resources

  • Northwest Assistance Ministries: Phone: 281-885-4555
  • AniMeals on Wheels: Phone: 713-533-4900
  • Baker Ripley: Phone: 346-570-4463
  • Houston Food Bank: Phone: 713-223-3700

FEMA Assistance
President Biden has amended Texas’ Major Disaster Declaration, authorizing additional federal assistance for recovery from Hurricane Beryl. Affected individuals in Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker, and Wharton counties can apply for assistance, including funding for home repairs, temporary housing, and low-interest loans.
How to Apply for FEMA Assistance:

  • Online: Register at DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Phone: Call 1-800-621-3362
  • FEMA App: Download and use the FEMA App
  • Relay Services: Provide FEMA the number for your relay service if applicable

Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) Locator
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices where you can learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case.

A DRC may be able to help you:

  • Apply for assistance. You may also apply for FEMA Assistance online or check your status by phone at 1-800-621-3362.
  • Learn more about disaster assistance programs.
  • Learn the status of your FEMA application.
  • Understand any letters you get from FEMA.
  • Find housing and rental assistance information.
  • Get answers to questions or resolve problems.
  • Get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance.
  • Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) programs.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for workers and self-employed individuals in Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker, and Wharton counties who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from Hurricane Beryl.
How to Apply for DUA Benefits:

  • Online: Apply through Unemployment Benefit Services at TWC
  • Phone: Call TWC at 800-939-6631 (7 AM – 6 PM, Monday through Friday)

Applications for DUA benefits must be submitted by September 9, 2024. Required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed.
NRG Customer Assistance
NRG is providing assistance to its customers of its family of retail electricity brands, including Reliant. To support those facing hardships following the storm, NRG is providing more than $1.3 million to directly help customers in need by:

  • Waiving late fees
  • Providing need-based bill credits to eligible customers
  • Increasing funding for Reliant’s CARE program

Reliant’s CARE (Community Assistance by Reliant Energy) Program:
Reliant’s CARE program provides bill pay assistance through social service agencies, including Baker Ripley, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and Memorial Assistance Ministries, among others. For assistance or information on these programs, contact 2-1-1 within Texas or visit 211texas.org.
Additionally, NRG’s retail electricity brands are offering voluntary payment extensions and deferred payment plans to customers in counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Deferred payment plans allow customers to pay their balances due in installments, rather than all at once.
Pet Food and Supplies Assistance
Houston Humane Society Pet Food Pantry:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Address: 14700 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77053
  • Services: Pet pantry (by appointment only)

Friends for Life Drive Thru Pet Clinic and Food Bank:

  • Phone: 713-863-9835
  • Address: 107 East 22nd Street, Houston, TX 77008
  • Services: Pet pantry, vaccinations, flea/heartworm preventatives (by appointment only)

League City Animal Care:

  • Website: City of League City
  • Services: Pet food and supplies (leashes, collars, flea prevention, kennels/carriers) by application on the website

Help Me Keep My Pet:

  • Phone: 832-510-7622
  • Website: helpmekeepmypet.com
  • Services: Pet food and supplies, basic vetting, and alternatives to surrendering your pet. Assistance is first come, first served, dependent on need and availability. This is a short-term, emergency program.

Cooling Center, Charging Center, and Shelter Locations and Hours
Cooling Centers Open for Houston
The City of Houston will open 40 cooling centers on Friday, July 19, so people can take refuge from the heat as they recover from Hurricane Beryl. Houston libraries and multi-service centers will function as cooling centers. The following locations will be open during their regular hours:
Community Centers

  • Kingwood Community Center: 4102 Rustic Woods Dr, Kingwood, TX 77345 / 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
  • Fonde Community Center: 110 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007 / 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm
  • Moody Community Center: 3725 Fulton St, Houston, TX 77009 / 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm
  • West Gray Multi-Purpose Center: 1475 W Gray St., Houston, TX 77019 / 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Multi-Service Centers (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

  • Acres Home MSC / 6719 W. Montgomery Rd., Houston, TX 77091
  • Hiram Clarke MSC / 3810 W Fuqua St, Houston, TX 77045
  • Fifth Ward MSC / 4014 Market St, Houston, TX 77020
  • Kashmere MSC / 4802 Lockwood Dr, Houston, TX 77026
  • Magnolia MSC / 7037 Capitol St., Houston, TX 77011
  • Northeast MSC / 9720 Spaulding St., Houston, TX 77016
  • Sunnyside MSC / 4410 Reed Rd., Houston, TX 77051
  • Southwest MSC / 6400 High Star Dr., Houston, TX 77074
  • Denver Harbor MSC / 6402 Market St., Houston, TX 77007
  • Third Ward MSC / 3611 Ennis St., Houston, TX 77004
  • West End MSC / 170 Heights Blvd., Houston, TX 77007

Houston Public Libraries

  • African American History Research Center at the Gregory School: 1300 Victor St., Houston TX 77019 / 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Alief-David M. Hennington Regional Library: 11903 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77072 / 1-5 p.m.
  • Bracewell Neighborhood Library: 9002 Kingspoint Rd. Houston, TX 77075 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Carnegie Neighborhood Library & Center for Learning: 1050 Quitman St. Houston, TX 77009 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Central Library Jesse H. Jones Building: 500 McKinney St. Houston, TX 77002 / 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Collier Regional Library: 6200 Pinemont Dr. Houston, TX 77092 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus: 5300 Caroline St. Houston, TX 77004 / 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Flores Neighborhood Library: 110 North Milby St. Houston, TX 77003 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Heights Neighborhood Library: 1302 Heights Blvd. Houston, TX 77008 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Hillendahl Neighborhood Library: 2436 Gessner Rd. Houston, TX 77080 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Johnson Neighborhood Library: 3517 Reed Rd. Houston, TX 77051 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Jungman Neighborhood Library: 5830 Westheimer Rd. Houston, TX 77057 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Kendall Neighborhood Library: 609 N Eldridge Pkwy. Houston, TX 77079 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • McGovern-Stella Link Regional Library: 7405 Stella Link Rd. Houston, TX 77025 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Oak Forest Neighborhood Library: 1349 West 43rd St. Houston, TX 77018 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Park Place Regional Library: 8145 Park Place Blvd. Houston, TX 77017 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Robinson-Westchase Neighborhood Library: 3223 Wilcrest Dr. Houston, TX 77042 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Shepard-Acres Homes Neighborhood Library: 8501 West Montgomery Rd. Houston, TX 77088 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Smith Neighborhood Library: 3624 Scott St. Houston, TX 77004 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Stanaker Neighborhood Library: 611 S Sgt Macario Garcia St. Houston, TX 77011 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Stimley-Blue Ridge Neighborhood Library: 7007 West Fuqua St. Houston, TX 77489 / 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Tuttle Neighborhood Library: 702 Kress St. Houston, TX 77020 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Vinson Neighborhood Library: 3810 West Fuqua St. Houston, TX 77045 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Walker Neighborhood Library: 11630 Chimney Rock Rd, Houston, TX 77035 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Walter Neighborhood Library: 7660 Clarewood Dr. Houston, TX 77036 / 1 – 5 p.m.
  • Young Neighborhood Library: 5107 Griggs Rd. Houston, TX 77021 / 1 – 5 p.m.

Additionally, the YMCA of Greater Houston will open its locations on both days for people needing to seek relief. A list of their hours is available here.
The City of Houston activates its Public Health Heat Emergency Plan when the Houston area begins to experience excessive heat. People without adequate transportation to a designated cooling center can call 3-1-1 to request a free ride. Transportation is only to and from the cooling centers; transportation to other locations is unavailable.
Heat Safety Tips

  • Drink more water: Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid beverages with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar.
  • Schedule outdoor activities wisely: Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening when temperatures are not as high. Take frequent breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned facility.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
  • Never leave anyone in a parked vehicle: Do not leave infants, children, senior citizens, or pets unattended in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are cracked open.
  • Protect yourself from the sun: Wear a wide-brimmed hat and apply sunscreen.
  • Seek air-conditioned environments: Spend time in air-conditioned facilities during the heat of the day if your house is not air-conditioned.
  • Take cool baths or showers: If your home is not air-conditioned, take frequent cool baths or showers.
  • Check on vulnerable populations: Look out for your neighbors, especially the young, elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Please visit Houston OEM – Recovery to learn more about what to do during the recovery process.
Remember to take pictures of your storm damage. The damage assessment process is critical to being eligible for Independent Assistance from FEMA. Report all damage to your property to the State of Texas using the iSTAT tool.
Those with insurance should contact their insurance companies before applying for FEMA assistance. FEMA will only cover damages beyond the scope of the property owner’s insurance plan.
Be mindful of scammers who may take advantage of the situation. Report all scams and fraud to the Texas Attorney General’s office.
We will continue to provide updates and resources as they become available. It is an honor to serve and represent you.

Sincerely,

Gene Wu
State Representative