Local Organizations & Businesses Helping with Harvey Relief Efforts

CHARLOTTE, NC – Local organizations and businesses are helping with Harvey relief efforts.

“This is the worst storm that we’ve seen probably since Hurricane Katrina,” explains Matt Phillips, with AdvantaClean in Huntersville.

There, crews spent the past few days loading up trucks to head to Houston.

“Vehicles, generators, and equipment. Along with food, water, resources, those kind of things,” Phillips says.

More than 20 members of the staff are on the road.

They’ll assist with relief efforts and when it’s safe, they’ll help clean the damage.

“There’s so many people who are suffering right now. We just want to get down and help as quickly as possible,” Phillips explains.

Other organizations are stepping up as well. The American Red Cross has already sent nearly 30 volunteers from Western North Carolina. They’ll be in Houston for two or three weeks until they’re replaced by other volunteers.

Red Cross is also providing food and shelter to those who need it.

Three feeding vehicles left Monday from Hickory, Asheville, and Winston-Salem.

“Thousands and thousands of people impacted and lives turned upside down,” says Jack Munday, with Billy Graham Rapid Response Team.

Chaplains from that group are on the ground to help talk with victims and lend spiritual support.

“Right now we are dealing with people that are in shock, that can’t believe this is happened as it did,” Munday explains.

The organization has seven crisis-trained chaplains in Victoria, Texas and plan to send 15 more Tuesday.

After Hurricane Katrina, members of the team were in place for more than two years.

“We aren’t only there now but will continue to be there for as long as there’s a need,” Munday says.