Hurricane Maria relief: how New Yorkers can help Puerto Rico and other disaster victims

Here's where you can donate critically-needed supplies across each of NYC's five boroughs

Puerto Rico is facing a humanitarian crisis after Hurricane Maria ripped through the island last week Thursday. Humanitarian aid isn't reaching the island quick enough and 3.4 million residents are running low on essentials like food, clean water, and fuel. Because of Hurricane Maria, the entire island has lost power and many people, along with the Puerto Rico's hospitals, are relying on generators, but even those stand at risk as it becomes increasingly difficult to find diesel to fuel them. It remains unknown how long it will take for power to get back up and running but it could take as long as six months.

Immediately after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city would be making efforts to provide support to the island's citizens. Other local officials have arranged to provide desperately needed aid. Here is what's being done and how you can help:

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New York City Comptroller's Hispanic Heritage Month Event and Relief Drive

City Comptroller Scott Stringer is opting for a relief drive for his annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration to provide aid to those affected not only by Hurricane Maria, but also by other natural disasters like the recent earthquakes that resulted in catastrophic disaster in Mexico.

Items that are needed the most are batteries, diapers, first aid supplies, and feminine hygiene products. The drive takes place on Tuesday, September 26 at the Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work, located at 2180 Third Avenue.

Puerto Rico and Mexico Relief Funds

El Museo del Barrio New York is encouraging to New Yorkers to donate supplies to one of the three locations listed below. Accepted items haven't been specified but we assume that non-perishables, water, infant care items, batteries, and flashlights rank high among the list. You can also call ahead to see what items are being requested.

• Casabe Senior Houses: 150 East 121 Street, New York, NY

Phone: (212) 410-5467

Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• El Maestro, Inc.: 1300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY

Phone: (646) 299-6507

Monday through Friday 2 to 8 p.m.

• MOMA PS1: 22-25 Jackson Ave, Long Island City, NY

Phone: (718) 784-2084

Thursday through Monday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Donation Drive for Puerto Rico and Mexico

In the Bronx, the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization will work with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. to host a donation drive to help the victims in Puerto Rico and in Mexico City. Donations of non-perishable food, cases of water, flashlights, portable lanterns, batteries, diapers, baby wipes, baby food, clothing, and feminine hygiene products are being accepted.

The drive will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2017, beginning at 12 p.m at the corner of Southern Boulevard and Aldus Street.

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There are 17 firehouses and EMS stations throughout the five boroughs that will be accepting donations of diapers, baby food, batteries, first aid supplies, and feminine hygiene products. to provide relief to the people of Puerto Rico. At the moment, only these five items are being accepted. Liquids of any kind as well as second-hand items and perishables will not be accepted. Below are the participating locations:

Manhattan

• Engine 91 (East Harlem): 242 East 111th Street
• Engine 95 / Ladder 36 (Inwood): 29 Vermilyea Avenue
• Engine 28 / Ladder 11 (Lower East Side): 222 East 2nd Street

Bronx

• EMS Station 26 (Morrisania): 1264 Boston Road
• EMS Station 55 (Melrose): 3134 Park Avenue
• Engine 64 / Ladder 47 (Castle Hill): 1214 Castle Hill Avenue
• Engine 83 / Ladder 29 (Mott Haven/South Bronx): 618 East 138th Street

Queens

• Engine 316 (East Elmhurst): 27-12 Kearney Street
• Engine 289 / Ladder 138 (Corona): 97-28 43rd Avenue
• Engine 307 / Ladder 154 (Jackson Heights): 81-17 Northern Boulevard

Brooklyn

• Engine 271 / Ladder 124 (Bushwick): 392 Himrod Street
• Engine 277 / Ladder 112 (Bushwick): 582 Knickerbocker Avenue
• Engine 218 (Bushwick): 650 Hart Street
• Engine 201 / Ladder 114 (Sunset Park): 5113 4th Avenue
• Engine 228 (Sunset Park): 436 39th Street

Staten Island

• Engine 153 / Ladder 77 (Stapleton): 74 Broad Street
• Engine 157 / Ladder 80 (Port Richmond): 1573 Castleton Avenue
• Ladder 79 (Port Richmond): 1189 Castleton Avenue

There have been many other natural disasters happening almost back-to-back lately, across various regions, including Texas and many Caribbean islands. The New York Times has crafted a thorough list of other ways in which you can help. Check it out here.