Volunteers arrived early on Friday, Sept. 1 at Delmar Fieldhouse to receive donations from Houstonians and local organizations who want to help HISD students and families recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath.

Superintendent Richard Carranza joined HISD administrators, employees, teachers, and students in accepting and sorting donations into boxes lining the perimeter of Delmar.

“We have lots of HISD family here,” said Carranza. “We have lots of teachers, administrators, and support staff, but we also have community volunteers, having a great time and doing a good thing for our community. So come on down and join us as we help Houston recover.”

The district is collecting new, unused clothing, uniforms, pillows, blankets, shoes, undergarments, socks, deodorant, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other hygiene items, as well as new professional dress for impacted staff.

“Our goals is to provide the essentials — shoes, uniforms, undergarments, hygiene items, and even sleeping bags,” said Annvi Utter, officer of Student Support Services. “We are also very excited that HISD is going to be providing three meals a day to students. That will help with after-school programming and tutorials.”

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Many HISD teachers were on hand in the fieldhouse sorting donations.

“It’s important to donate because our students need to have the necessities in order to focus on learning,” said Tania Baez, a teacher at Kate Bell Elementary School. “They can’t learn if they are worried if there will be food on the table and a safe place to sleep. We are encouraging everyone to get out and help, because every little bit helps.”

There were also many children who accompanied their parents to help organize donations.

“I wanted to volunteer, so I asked my mom if I could come with her,” said Amaya, a former HISD student and seventh-grader who is volunteering with her mother, a teacher a Field Elementary School. “I woke up at 5:15 a.m. to get down here early to help people.”

The district will continue to accept donations Saturday at Delmar Fieldhouse (2020 Mangum Rd., Houston, TX 77092) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. People wanting to drop off donations should enter the complex on Mangum Street.

Next week, donations are being accepted at the following locations and times:

Delmar Fieldhouse, 2020 Mangum Road, Houston, TX 77092. People wanting to drop off donations should enter the complex on Mangum. Signs will be posted.

• Donations will be accepted Sept. 5-8 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Donations will be accepted starting Sept. 11 during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Butler Stadium, 13755 Main St., Houston, TX 77035

• Donations will be accepted Sept. 5-8 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Barnett Stadium, 6800 Fairway Dr., Houston, TX 77087

• Donations will be accepted Sept. 5-8 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The HISD Foundation is also accepting donations to help families recover, and 100% of funds raised will go directly to helping HISD students and families. Click here to make a donation, and please specify “Harvey” as the purpose for your donation.