Here’s how you can help migrant children at the San Antonio shelter

SAINT ANTHONY – As soon as it was announced last week that hundreds of migrant children would be accommodated at the Freeman Coliseum exhibition center in San Antonio, many people wondered how they could help.

The shelter is operated by the US Department of Health and Human Services. They have given the following tips to people who want to help.

HHS officials say people should never deploy themselves to a disaster area or shelter. Instead, they should seek out trusted organizations that operate in the necessary areas.

Catholic Charities is the main organization in San Antonio providing and coordinating support services for migrant refugees.

Over the weekend, volunteers from Catholic charities unpacked and assembled cots for the teens to sleep on. They also sorted clothes and shoes and packed hygiene kits.

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Organizers of the charity expect there will be more volunteer opportunities to come.

“It could be setting up something, maybe, maybe the distribution of meals, hygiene kits, possibly interacting with the children in terms of social interaction and playing games. or card games or helping with activity books, things of that nature, said Catholic Charities spokeswoman Tara Ford. .

The charity says that although hundreds of people are already interested in volunteering, they are still looking for help. To be eligible, a person must be over the age of 18 and must pass a background check. Spanish speakers are preferred.

When the children leave the Freeman shelter, if they are not reunited with their family members, they can be transferred to local state-approved facilities, including Saint-Pierre and Saint-Joseph and Seton Home. These organizations have information for volunteers and donors on their websites.

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HHS advises that cash donations to recognized disaster relief organizations are the fastest, most flexible and efficient method of giving.

“Organizations on the ground know what items and quantities are needed, often buy wholesale with discounts and, if possible, buy through local businesses at disaster, which supports economic recovery,” officials said.

In an emergency, national voluntary disaster organizations are a good resource for finding organizations you can trust.

Before collecting or delivering donations during a disaster or shelter situation, HHS says it’s important to know what is actually needed.

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Here are their tips on giving:

• Used clothes are never needed.

• Wholesale donations are the best. Single item pallet loads, sorted and packed.

• Timing is important. Too early or too late and no one wins.

• Transport must be worked. How will it get to where it is needed?

For the migrant shelter, donations would be processed through the support organizations listed in the volunteer section above.