The past week, we have all seen the news talking about the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas. As a Native Texan, I have had many friends and their families directly affected by the storm, and it hurts my heart to watch it all happen. Being an Indiana resident now, I have been looking for ways to help my Texas family, and these are some solutions I have found.

1. Donate Blood

The American Red Cross is always in need of blood donations, but the need is even greater now because of Hurricane Harvey. They have had to cancel multiple blood drives, and according to AABB, an international transfusion medicine organization, they will be facing long term effects if they lose these donations right now, and those needing immediate blood transfusions will suffer.

2. Sign up for TangoTab

TangoTab is an app where you can use a code at certain restaurants and when you order your meal, a meal will be donated to someone in need. The app uses your location to find restaurants near you that participate with TangoTab. For the month of September, TangoTab will be donating the meals to those affected by Hurricane Harvey. You can participate in this at restaurants such as Jimmy Johns, Papa Murphy's and even Starbucks. Just by signing up for the app, you feed two people in need and at no cost to you.

3. Donate to the Animals Affected

If you're a Native Texan, especially in the Dallas and Austin area, local shelters are in need of supplies like blankets, food, old towels, etc. to help all the animals they have received from the Houston shelters. If you're looking to adopt a furry friend, now would be a prime time to do so because it would free up room in the shelters for other animals

4. Donate Money to Organizations

Donating money is something that can be done from virtually anywhere in the world. The donations are making a major impact to those affected by the hurricane by providing food and water to people in shelters. You can donate to either the campaign JJ Watt has organized or the GoFundMe page.

It has been difficult to watch my state suffer this past week. I have been observing fellow Texans hopping in their cars with their boats attached to the back to go down to Houston to get people out of their homes that have flooded.

It is incredible to watch a state come together in ways like this, but in order to help as many people as we can, we need help from people around the country. This is a hurricane that will impact every single American in some way, whether it's a friend who lost their home, a raise in oil prices or someone who can relate to it from a past experience. We need to come together in this time of need and help our brothers and sisters in Texas.