Want to donate to Ukraine from the Mississippi Coast? Here’s a list of legit resources.

The images are gut-wrenching. The personal accounts are heartbreaking.

If the woeful plight of Ukrainian refugees has driven you to look for ways to help, it is only natural.

“People on the Coast are some of the most philanthropic in the country,” said Paul D. Guichet, chief operating officer and executive director of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

From the aftermath of Katrina to COVID-19 relief and recovery, Guichet witnessed the willingness of the community to help its neighbor without question. But, helping the displaced families as they flee a war torn nation may not be as simple.

Since the conflict began, help has come in the form of cryptocurrency, boycotts, bad Google reviews and unused AirBnB stays in Ukraine.

But, Guichet said, the tried and true methods of donations to well-known nonprofits are still the best way to help because for every new way to help, there is a new way to defraud the public.

“Do your research,” Guichet added. “Or ask us and other reputable organizations if we have heard of them. There really is a network between nonprofits. We often work together and know each other.”

A number of organizations offer searchable databases to learn more about nonprofits. Start with these:

• The IRS

In order to receive tax deductions, qualified charitable organizations have to register as a 501(c)3. Find a searchable database of all nonprofits at IRS.gov.

• Charity Navigator

The self-proclaimed “guide to intelligent giving” provides hot topics where you can research donations by personal interests. The Ukrainian-Russian crisis lists 38 reputable nonprofits, rating them for transparency and efficiency. The nonprofits are subdivided into the type of help they provide. Start your research at charitynavigator.org.

• Guidestar

The website provides financial information and unbiased reports in a database searchable by state, zip code and even metro area. Get started at Guidestar.org.

As of Wednesday, nearly 3 million people have fled Ukraine. The majority of the refugees fled to Poland. Others made quick escapes to their nearest border, finding sanctuary in Romania, Republic of Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia and even the Russian Federation.

The United Nations estimated 90% of Ukraine’s population could face poverty as fighting continues, “leaving deep social and economic scars for generations to come.”

Here are some ways to support Ukraine all the way from Biloxi:

Charities to help Ukraine

Many groups are taking donations to help Ukraine.

• The Red Cross allows you to designate whether your donation helps a local chapter, is used for disaster relief or goes where it is needed most. Contributions can be made through Alexa, by mail or by phone. For more information, go to Redcross.org.

• World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to tackling poverty and injustice worldwide. The organization is working to support refugees in Romania and partnering with other border countries to deliver food and medical supplies. Learn more about their mission at Worldvision.org.

• The GLOW Mission, a North Carolina-based organization, helps Ukrainian orphans and Ukrainians aged out of the orphanage system. Donations can be made at glowmission.org.

• Catholic Relief Services has partnered with Caritas Ukraine to provide safe shelter, hot meals, hygiene supplies, transport to safe areas and counseling support throughout Ukraine and bordering countries. Make a donation to the relief efforts at support.crs.org.

• Doctors Without Borders, which provides medical care across the world, is providing COVID treatment and prevention support, mental health care and more in Ukraine. You can donate to support their work at doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/countries/ukraine.

• UNHCR, also known as The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or the UN Refugee Agency, is one of the main groups coordinating care for those fleeing the war in Ukraine. You can get more information on donating at give.unrefugees.org.

• Unicef provides water, nutrition, health care, education and protection to Ukrainian children. Less than 3% of funds go to administrative costs. You can designate your donation to the children of Ukraine at unicefusa.org.

• Save the Children, which provides aid to young people affected by violence and disaster throughout the world, has launched a Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund to help their work getting food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support and more to children and families in Ukraine and neighboring countries. You can give at savethechildren.org.

• Feed The Hunger works with partners around the world to provide food to children. They’re currently working with groups in Poland and Moldova to help feed those displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. Learn more about how to get involved at feedthehunger.org.

• Samaritan’s Purse is on the ground in Ukraine helping with a field hospital and working with churches that are providing shelter and care to people affected by the war. Get more information on how to help at samaritanspurse.org/article/pray-for-the-crisis-in-ukraine.

This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 3:55 PM.

Mona Moore

Sun Herald

Mona Moore was a Service Journalism Desk Editor for the Sun Herald in Mississippi; Mahoning Matters in Ohio; and the Ledger-Enquirer and Telegraph in Georgia. Originally from West Covina, California, she holds a bachelor’s and master’s in corporate and public communication from the University of South Alabama. Mona’s writing and photography have been recognized by press associations in Mississippi, North Carolina and Florida.