
Photo: Stephen Michael Price
All week, the nation has watched firsthand how far-reaching the effects of Hurricane Sandy have been. Stephen Michael Price, a producer who works with ELLE, took photos of the devastation in the Rockaways. The historic boardwalk is now stripped to its foundations, a large section of it washed away. In order to support the residents of the Rockaways and surrounding areas, here is a list of ways you can help.
Shop: Retailers are turning out donation programs in droves, offering to give portions of their sales to support relief funds so you can
shop for a cause.
Donate Cash: According to
FEMA and
The American Red Cross, the best way to help is through monetary contributions to organizations trained to help with disaster. For more information on donating, go to
Fema.gov.
The Red Cross has deployed emergency response trucks loaded with boxed lunches, water and mental health workers, and is also setting up mobile kitchens throughout New York equipped to prepare tens of thousands more meals. Follow
@redcrossny for truck locations, and
donate online, via telephone (1-800-733-2767), or by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999 to send a $10 donation.
Also consider the
Food Bank for New York City, who is dispatching a
fleet of food trucks to soup kitchens and pantries across the city. Because of its wholesale purchasing power and distribution model, a financial gift here can provide double the goods of a traditional food drive.
The Salvation Army is serving those impacted by Sandy with food, clean-up kits, and emotional care. Donate by phone (1-800-725-2769), online, or text "STORM" to 80888 to give $10.
Volunteer: If you're in New York, consider giving your time as well as your cash. To be most effective, contact an established organization. Find opportunities near you through the
HandsOn Network and
New York Cares.
Give Blood: Sandy forced approximately 360 Red Cross blood drives to cancel, and many more will be forced to shutter in the wake of the damage, resulting in a substantial shortfall. Find out where you can give blood through the
Red Cross and
New York Blood Centeremergency drives.
Be Prepared: The Community Emergency Response Team undergoes a 10-week training to provide basic response skills and support NYC's first responders, so you'll be ready to pitch in when the next natural disaster hits.

Photo: Stephen Michael Price

Photo: Stephen Michael Price

Photo: Stephen Michael Price

Photo: Stephen Michael Price