Where to Give: Ministries Serving in TX and OK Wildfire Relief
Advice for which ministries to consider supporting in relief efforts.
Wildfire is spreading across the high plains of the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma, engulfing over 1,000 square miles in flame and becoming the largest wildfire in Texas history.
The Smokehouse Creek Fire has taken the life of at least one person and has endangered the lives and homes of many others. Residents in the Oklahoma towns of Gage and Shattuck were forced to evacuate from burning homes and vehicles. Power has also been cut to thousands of homes and businesses.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 60 counties in the greatest danger, directing the state’s emergency management division to help local firefighters with needed resources. Oklahoma’s Gov. Kevin Stitt said the state’s emergency response teams have been activated to help the area’s residents.
Dry conditions and above-normal temperatures paired with increased wind speeds made the wildfires spread across the grasslands. Currently the wildfire is only 3% contained.
When crisis hits around the world, as it has in Texas and Oklahoma, it is not just the government that steps in. Christians are often first in line to help. That’s a very good thing.
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However, there’s a reason the Bible tells us to love God with our mind as well as our heart. At times like these, we should engage both. Below are a few principles and tips to keep in mind as you give to Texas and Oklahoma wildfire relief efforts. We also have our assessment of some ministries that are raising funds to help.
The Old Rules Apply. Just because there’s a crisis, that doesn’t mean a ministry that has been poorly run suddenly becomes well-run. In fact, often a crisis causes a weak organization to break. That’s why even in the midst of crisis and urgent appeals, take an extra moment to do your homework. MinistryWatch gives ministries a Donor Confidence Score, a Financial Efficiency Rating, and a Transparency Grade. (You can search on a ministry and check their scores here.) Don’t give money to poorly rated ministries, or to ministries that do not share enough information to produce a rating.
Beware of “Matching Gifts” or “Challenge Gifts.” These sorts of giving schemes can be legitimate, but in times of crisis they are often used to heighten the sense of urgency. Educate yourself about Challenge Gifts and Matching Gifts by clicking here.
Boots on the Ground. When crisis erupts in a far corner of the world, it is too late to establish a presence there. Ministries that are the most effective are those who have already been operating there. They have “boots on the ground”—personnel, partners, processes, and infrastructure. Give to these ministries.
Ask Where The Money Is Going. Ministries with a real plan should be able to tell you where the money is going. If the fundraising appeal doesn’t specifically say so, ask. If the ministry doesn’t respond with clear and specific answers, it’s possible it is just using the crisis opportunistically, hoping for a financial windfall.
Ministries Involved in Wildfire Relief
Convoy of Hope: Convoy of Hope is working with local partners on the ground in the stricken area to learn when it is safe for them to move into the disaster zone and distribute additional relief supplies to people in need. In the MinistryWatch database, Convoy of Hope has a donor confidence score of 74, meaning donors can give with confidence.
Austin Disaster Relief Network: The Texas-based relief network comprised of trained volunteers from nearly 200 Austin-area churches is actively monitoring the fire situation and stands ready to respond. In the MinistryWatch database, it has a donor confidence score of 90, meaning donors can give with confidence.
Texas Baptist Men: This volunteer relief organization has been responding to natural disasters in Texas and across the United State since 1967. It has volunteers on the ground assessing the situation with additional disaster relief units headed that way. Texas Baptist Men is a smaller ministry that is not part of the MinistryWatch database.
Operation Blessing: The Virginia-based organization has deployed a team to Amarillo, who will meet with local partners and officials to assess immediate needs and begin the relief efforts. In the MinistryWatch database, Operation Blessing has a donor confidence score of 88, meaning donors can give with confidence.
Salvation Army: The Salvation Army has deployed emergency disaster services personnel and volunteers from the Panhandle town of Pampa to provide food and water to firefighters and first responders. It is also providing emergency shelter and food to displaced residents. In the MinistryWatch database, the Salvation Army receives a donor confidence score of 53, meaning donors should give with caution.
Main photo: Photo via Convoy of Hope
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