Holiday Giving: How to Help with Sandy Recovery

It has been over a month since Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast and seriously affected many communities in the New York and New Jersey area. Although time has passed and our collective focus has shifted to other events, many individuals and businesses are still struggling to recover from Sandy's devastation. 

The food industry in particular was hit hard during the storm: many restaurants were flooded, lost power, and lost precious inventory, not to mention the employees who went without income as their employers worked to open back up. The beauty of all this, however, is the way that communities have rallied to support their peers and local businesses.

As we enter the season of giving, we're highlighting a few organizations that continue to assist those affected by Hurricane Sandy. We hope that the Food52 community -- and the internet community at large -- will continue to support those who need it, even after the headlines have faded. From places to volunteer, to ways to donate, to Twitter accounts that will keep you updated on the latest efforts -- we've got you covered, just as they've got us covered.

The Food52 team volunteers in Gerritsen Beach.

Robicelli's 
This husband-and-wife baking (and tweeting) team jumped to action after learning the extent to which Sandy had hit their beloved Brooklyn. Allison leveraged her social media presence to organize and communicate relief efforts. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook for information on fundraisers and updates on what you can do. Did we mention that they make delicious cupcakes? You should probably try some of those, too.

Mayor's Fund
The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City has already raised over $32 million for restoration efforts across New York City. Its website highlights various ways to donate and contribute, as well as efforts that are currently in effect to rebuild in Sandy's wake. From finding food and water distribution locations to applying for small business grants, this website is a great all-around resource for those looking for information on relief efforts.

Pete Wells' Twitter Account
The New York Times food critic has gone so far as to update his Twitter profile to note that he will be "tweeting a lot about [the] food-related aftermath of Sandy until we get through this". From updates on restaurants reopening to retweeted MTA updates to Diners' Journal pieces, Wells is an example of the strength of New York's food community in the face of hardship. 

WNYC
New York's favorite public radio station has compiled a great list of ways to volunteer around the holidays. Listings focus on opportunities to help families affected by Sandy, and volunteer listings extend to Connecticut and New Jersey.

Dine Out NYC
What began as a common Twitter hashtag is now a full-fledged effort to get New Yorkers out of their homes and into restaurants that need our patronage now more than ever. Their Facebook page highlights fundraisers at various restaurants and bars across the city; use it to find events in your neighborhood, and be sure to tip your waiters.

Humane Society
It's easy to overlook the thousands of animals affected by natural disasters when the humans close to us are at the forefront of our minds. Luckily, the Humane Society was there to rescue and provide care for animals affected by the storm. What's more, their website provides details -- like number of pets rescued and returned to their owners -- to show the specific achievements that donations have helped fund. We appreciate an organization that is transparent in its efforts -- and loving toward its animals.

NYC Service
NYC Service -- an organization that provides myriad volunteer opportunities with a variety of organizations across the city -- has highlighted specific ways that you can volunteer or donate on both their homepage and their Hurricane Sandy page. Whether you want to help schools affected by Sandy or volunteer with the Parks Department, NYC Service has information on volunteering with well-reputed, effective organizations.

Tell us: How have you contributed to Sandy relief efforts? What organizations inspire you?