Jacksonville, here's how you can help Harvey victims

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Floodwaters are not done rising in southeast Texas although Harvey has weakened into a tropical storm, and as the area braces for what’s to come, the entire country is behind the people in Texas, which is getting help from right here in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville’s Salvation Army is preparing its mobile kitchen, or canteen, to hit the road Tuesday.

“You can do 1,500 meals a day out of this unit,” said Maj. Rob Vincent of the Salvation Army.

The Red Cross is also sending a team to the affected areas.

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“When we have a storm as large as Harvey, we are in a full-blown operational mode,” said Victoria Raleigh, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross.

Vincent said crews are already facing challenges even before getting there.

“Floodwaters are not like debris, where we can get it moved out of the way. They got to recede before we can get in,” Vincent said.

Vincent said right now is not the time to send material goods such as clothing.

“Right now, there's no place for it to go. There's no infrastructure in place. We don't have warehouses that can take the stuff in so we can distribute it,” Vincent said.

But he said you can help by donating money. (DONATE TO THE SALVATION ARMY | DONATE TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS)

“Social services hasn't started. We're still in response mode so what is needed right now is the financial support,” Vincent said. “We can buy what the family actually needs, not what we think they should have, and two, it helps to restart the local economy.”

Blood donations are also needed. One Blood has shipped more than 100 units of blood to Texas. The nonprofit organization is asking people to donate, especially if your blood type is O-negative.

Once the mobile units are able to enter damaged areas, they’ll get right to work and they’ll be serving much more than just food.

“When this white truck pulls up to a neighborhood that's devastated, it almost becomes a beacon,” Vincent said.

Other organizations are also stepping up to help, including the Jacksonville Armada, which is donating its revenue from online ticket sales.

The first wave of local volunteers are scheduled to be in the affected area for about 14 days before being relieved by another group of volunteers.

Cox Media Group