Last weekend all of our eyes were glued to the news as we watched the devastation Hurricane Harvey caused to our friends in Houston and surrounding areas. Being an alum of PVAMU, I spent lots of time in Houston, and have many friends in Houston. It is my second home, and I go visit my friends there as often as I can. My heart hurt for the city, and I must say I was a bit frantic and stressed out checking on and making sure my people were ok. I'm happy to report that though some suffered material loss, all are still here (we can replace those material possessions). This weekend I had plans of going to the Labor Day Classic in Houston and watching my PV Panthers beat up on the TSU TIgers, but of course those plans have since changed. The game has been rescheduled for Thanksgiving weekend, and now with this self induced gas shortage Dallas is going through right now, I'm trying to ration my driving until things are back to normal. After the events in Charlottesville my faith in humanity had waned. I lost hope. I cried over the state of our country. Then through a disaster like Hurricane Harvey, my faith in humanity began to be slightly restored. No longer were people concerned about race, statues, or any of the sorts. It was all hands on deck to help a fellow human being. Thank you to my second home for restoring my faith in humanity. If you would like to help with relief efforts here are some ways to do so without even realizing it. The following businesses are helping with Hurricane Harvey Relief efforts. Also, a huge thank you to our first responders who put their lives on the line daily for our safety and to those who volunteered to answer the call of duty.

Please Note: This list will continue to be updated so check back frequently. If you know of a place that needs to be added to the list e-mail me at brandisfoodiediary@gmail.com

On The Border
On September 6th mention On The Border Gives Back and 20% of the sales from your check will go to the American Red Cross to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Perry's Steakhouse
Beginning today, Sept. 1, Perry’s locations nationwide, including the Uptown Dallas and Frisco locations, are offering a special discounted three-course menu that will be available during the entire month of September. For every meal served from the special menu, $5 will be donated to the Houston Flood Relief Fund organized by Houston Texans star J. J. Watt.

Macaron by Patisse
Starting today, through the month of September, 100% the proceeds from our 'hoUSton' MACARON will be donated to Harvey Relief.

Movie Tavern
New Orleans, LA. (September 1, 2017) – Movie Tavern, managed by Southern Theatres, L.L.C., announces that all twenty-two of its locations across the United States will donate 10% from all food sales between September 1-4, 2017 to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Harvey relief.

Shells and Tails 2 Geaux
10% of all proceeds will be going directly to those who are affected by Hurricane Harvey. You also can drop off any non-monetary donations by the truck as well.

Hopdoddy
MONDAY & TUESDAY (September 4-5) join us to make a difference and help our Houston friends, family and neighbors! 100% of Goodnight/Good Cause Burger sales at ALL Hopdoddy locations will be donated to the #HurricaneHarvey Relief Fund. Titos Vodka will donate $1 for every Hopdoddy drink made with their vodka.

Snappy Salads
Snappy Salads, a popular eco-friendly, social cause supporting salad restaurant, is holding a weeklong fundraiser from August 28-September 4 to benefit the victims of Hurricane Harvey. All 13 north Texas Snappy Salads locations will collect donations via its “Change for Change” program. Snappy Salads will match donations up to $10,000. All monies will be donated to the American Red Cross which relies on volunteers and financial donations to provide disaster relief.

Pudding On Smiles
Pudding On Smiles is donating $1 for every jar sold this weekend to an agency that will use the money to help victims.

Lombardi Family Concepts
All four DFW-area Lombardi restaurants – Toulouse Café and Bar, Bistro 31, Taverna and Penne Pomodoro – will be donating 20% of all proceeds from food sales made Sept. 11-14 to the American Red Cross.