HOW TO HELP

Hundreds of Meals On Wheels San Antonio volunteers delivered over 2,000 meals to families across San Antonio and Bexar County for the second time since the start of the pandemic.

The San Antonio Food Bank is sending out a plea for volunteers, calling it “an urgent crisis.”

Catholic Charities is the main organization in San Antonio that is providing and coordinating supportive services to the migrant refugees.

SAN ANTONIO – If your property sustained damaged during last month’s winter storm, you could qualify for a temporary property tax exemption. Qualified properties include:tangible personal property used for income production if the owner filed a renditionresidential buildings (homes)commercial buildings (businesses)industrial buildings (manufacturing)multi-family buildings (apartments), and other real property buildingscertain manufactured homes. The temporary disaster area exemption applies to all counties in Texas and expires on Jan. 1, 2022. If you live in Bexar County, click here for more information and to download the application form. You can contact the Bexar County Appraisal District by phone at 210-242-2432.

BEXAR COUNTY – A couple of weeks have passed since the devastating winter storm that swept through South Texas, but many residents in suburban cities and outlying areas in Bexar County are still without running water in their homes, according to county officials. Just last week, Bexar County launched a reimbursement program that offered up to $1,500 per household to aid residents with repair costs for broken pipes and plumbing issues caused by the winter storm. RELATED: Bexar County launches plumbing assistance program for residents following winter stormStill, many households in suburban cities and areas of unincorporated Bexar County are without water and are struggling with arranging a plumber due to their remote locations, according to officials. Those who do not have access to the internet should call 210-631-5000 for the reimbursement program, or 210-631-6000 for the “I need a plumber” program. AdRead also:These businesses are donating to winter storm relief efforts in San Antonio, across TexasDevastating winter storm leaves behind trail of destruction for San Antonio-area nonprofit

BOERNE, TEXAS – Roy Maas Youth Alternatives has been helping change the lives of at-risk youth for almost 30 years. The safe haven, however, was not spared from last week’s winter storm. “This was unforeseen, greatly because the age of the building, you would have never thought this would happen, Rudolph said. He said staff is still able to meet the demand of the hundreds of meals, but it has not been easy. Presently staff is preparing meals in cabins where the space is small and the process even slower.

As the snow began to melt, they discovered the growth of plants, trees and flowers was now limp and even distorted. SAN ANTONIO – The pickup and restoration process continues across many parts of San Antonio following last week’s freezing temperatures. Some of the most visibly affected areas include the San Antonio Botanical Garden, where plants, flowers and even trees suffered tremendously due to the cold. Your membership fees go to the garden and that’ll help us a lot.”Employees at the San Antonio Botanical Gardene work endlessly to save plant life that brings joy and peace to visitors throughout the year. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with the San Antonio Botanical Garden click here.

To help the community during this difficult time, KSAT12 recently donated $25,000 towards the Let’s Help SA fund. By donating $25,000 to the “Let’s Help SA” project with Morgan’s Wonderland, we can help the city get back on the road to healing. These organizations are SAMMinistries, the San Antonio Food Bank and Haven for Hope. Haven for Hope provides, coordinates and delivers an efficient system of care for people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio. AdThe Let’s Help SA emergency fund will be open for donations through 11:59 pm this Sunday, February 28.

SAN ANTONIO – The Insurance Council of Texas is predicting that the winter storm that walloped Texas this month could be the costliest winter storm in state history. Many people in San Antonio and across Texas are dealing with problems caused by the snow, ice and frigid temperatures. In San Antonio, $100,000 is going to support Haven for Hope and the San Antonio Food Bank. AdH-E-BH-E-B announced a donation of $1 million to support 18 Texas food banks. AdToyotaToyota has donated $1 million to help Texas recover from the winter storm damage, including $300,000 in San Antonio.

These organizations are SAMMinistries, the San Antonio Food Bank and Haven for Hope. The San Antonio Food Bank provides food to those in need. AdHaven for Hope provides, coordinates and delivers an efficient system of care for people experiencing homelessness in San Antonio. To help the community during this difficult time, KSAT12 recently donated $25,000 towards the Let’s Help SA fund. By donating $25,000 to the “Let’s Help SA” project with Morgan’s Wonderland, we can help the city get back on the road to healing.

The City of San Antonio on Wednesday will launch an Emergency Resource Call Center (ERCC) and website to assist residents affected by the recent severe winter weather. AdIf a business or rental property suffered damage, SBA’s Disaster Loan Assistance Program may help by providing a low-interest loan. If an individual does not qualify for FEMA assistance, the Community Pipe Repair Fund managed by SAWS can help. Callers that do not qualify for FEMA assistance will be directed to the SAWS CPR Fund. ERCC staff will be able to assist residents in both English and Spanish.

SAN ANTONIO – KSAT Community is partnering with local nonprofits to help San Antonians recover from the aftermath of the winter storm last week. One of the groups that need your help is Roy Maas Youth Alternatives (RMYA). We also had several water heaters destroyed and some of our equipment was destroyed through the storm.”RMYA needs help with monetary donations to help repair multiple buildings, equipment and replace spoiled food. Donations can be made at rmya.org or can be sent to RMYA, 3103 West Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78213. AdRelated:San Antonio Food Bank seeks volunteers and food donations to help the community recover from winter stormAmerican Red Cross responds to winter storm and seeks blood donations in coming days, weeksKSAT Community operates in partnership with University Health, Energy Transfer and Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union.

SAN ANTONIO – Actress and philanthropist Eva Longoria helped deliver items to San Antonio residents who have been affected by last week’s winter storm and the coronavirus pandemic. The Texas actress joined the San Antonio Food Bank in handing out food, water and pet food, among other items, on Monday afternoon. Money donated to the emergency fund will be distributed to the San Antonio Food Bank, SAMMinistries and Haven for Hope, said Gordon Hartman, of Morgan’s Wonderland and Morgan’s Wonderland Inclusion Foundation, which will spearhead and seek donations from the community. AdThe first $500,000 in donations will be matched by The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, The Harvey E. Najim Family Foundation and the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation, Hartman said. Full Screen Full Screen 1 / 12 Eva Longoria teamed up with the San Antonio Food Bank on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, to deliver items to San Antonio residents.

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank is serving up relief for thousands of people in South Texas who have been impacted by the historic winter weather this past week. With the wintry conditions behind us in Texas and the San Antonio region, residents are looking to restock their fridges and water supply. The food bank’s network of food pantries and mobile food distributions remains fully operational and open to the public for help. AdEvery $1 donated to the food bank provides seven meals. If you are interested in signing up to help in the next city-wide distribution event with the SA Food Bank, you can preregister here.

SAN ANTONIO – An emergency fund was set up Monday to help San Antonio residents recover from last week’s devastating winter storm. “Our research indicates the greatest needs right now are food, water and shelter,” Hartman said. A companion relief effort, SAWS’ Community Pipe Repair Fund, has been established to help pay for urgently-needed plumbing repairs, said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. AdThe fund will provide help for San Antonio Water System residential customers in Bexar County who suffered water pipe damage in their homes due to the storm, Nirenberg said. “The program will prioritize emergency pipe repair that risks causing harm to life, health or safety of the occupants,” Nirenberg said.

Due to the extreme winter weather in Texas, the American Red Cross is watching the situation and standing by to support local responses to the storms as needed. The record-breaking cold and severe winter weather across most of the U.S. has forced the cancellation of Red Cross blood drives in approximately 30 states, impacting approximately 16,000 blood, platelet and convalescent plasma donations this month. The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals in unaffected areas, especially those with type O blood, to give now. If you are interested in donating blood, the American Red Cross Serving Central and South Texas encourages people to donate to the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center. If you are interested in donating blood in the KSAT Community blood drive with University Health March 1-2, click here to make an appointment.

SAN ANTONIO – For Brenda Sanchez, being a homeowner was something she dreamed of. “But here I am today, and I’m very grateful for everyone that’s helped me.”It’s a feeling 50 other families in San Antonio experienced in 2020 thanks to Habitat for Humanity. “This year, that was more important than ever.”The homes go for $95,000 and Wiese said these homes help address another problem in San Antonio. “There’s always been a housing challenge in San Antonio, Wiese said. So that’s something that I’m very proud of.”For information on how to volunteer or donate to Habitat for Humanity, click here.

After spending weeks in the hospital and on a ventilator, a plasma donation helped Dorrian regain the strength to breath on his own. But with more requests from hospitals coming in, the donation center says they need more donors to keep up with rising demand. Click here to learn more about plasma donation. One blood donation can save up to three lives. To schedule a blood donation, visit SouthTexasBlood.org.

Children are among those fighting coronavirus and those feeling the pain it causes, and a story book wants to help them navigate both. "This wonderful book helps children understand and navigate this new landscape and learn how they can take small actions to become the heroes in their own stories." The book is aimed at children ages 6 to 11 years old and has already been translated to six languages to reach as many children as possible. It is a collaboration of United Nations agencies, nongovernmental organizations and international mental health organizations. The input was used to ensure that the book “resonated with children from different backgrounds and continents,” according to the release.

SAN ANTONIO – “San Antonio has been a city that struggled for a long time. For those fortunate enough to be in a position to help others right now, volunteering, donating and spreading the word on social media are three easy ways to help the food bank, Cooper said. Eventually, the food bank will reopen donation lines for non-perishable food items. Get your friends involved and you can help us big time at the food bank,” Cooper said. RELATED: Local woman challenges community to donate to San Antonio Food Bank during coronavirus outbreakThose who may need assistance with food can visit the San Antonio Food Bank’s website and watch below.

SAN ANTONIO – The emergency rental assistance program is a combined effort by the San Antonio Apartment Association, the city of San Antonio and philanthropic organizations. To be eligible, tenants must be unemployed and impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, said Marc Ross, the association’s past president. He said SAAA’s 1,500 members are being encouraged to forgive 25 percent of any past due rent, April’s rent and any late fees. To qualify for assistance for Risk Mitigation Fund requires written proof the tenant’s situation. Emergency Rental Assistance information can be found here.

SAN ANTONIO – The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center is holding a week-long community blood drive in hopes of building up a 15-20 day blood supply amid the coronavirus outbreak. SAQ: Why blood donations are so important during the coronavirus pandemicThe blood drive will be held at the San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, near the intersection of Loop 1604 and Highway 281, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m from March 23 to March 27. Health officials: South Texas blood supply at risk of collapsing due to lack of donationsThe STBTC must collect over 400 units of blood to help patients, health officials have said. STBC has added additional sanitation measures and temperature checks of potential donors and staff as they enter facilities, officials said. The community blood drive is a partnership between STBC, Alzafar Shriners and South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital.

SAN ANTONIO – If you’ve been on a walk in your neighborhood this week, you may have noticed an odd phenomenon -- there are teddy bears and pictures of rainbows in the front windows of some homes. If you’re wondering why that is, there’s a very good explanation. Parents are spreading the word over social media, asking people to place stuffed bears and rainbows in the windows to create a social-distancing-approved scavenger hunt. The teddy bears idea was inspired by a popular book and song for preschoolers called “We’re Going On a Bear Hunt.”Both the song and book start out:“We’re going on a bear hunt. RELATED: Things to do at home while you’re social distancingMy neighborhood is asking families to put a teddy bear in the window so families can go on a walk for a “Bear Hunt”.

Texas Diaper Bank asks for donations due to effects of coronavirusPublished: March 18, 2020, 1:12 pmThe Texas Diaper Bank is in need of diapers, hygiene products and financial donations as the demand for personal hygiene products has skyrocketed as the result of the coronavirus pandemic.

On any given day, the National School Lunch Program provides low-cost or free lunches to 29.7 million children. But the coronavirus pandemic is shutting down schools and parents are scrambling to find ways to feed their hungry kids. Charitable organizations are working to fill the gap, but they need your help. Here are a few organizations you can support: