How to help, and to get help

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) - Federal Emergency Management Agency urges those whose property was damage as a result of the fires to register for disaster assistance. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Experts from the state of Texas, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at a new Disaster Recovery Center. 

The center is located at:

• Bastrop High School 9th Grade Academy, 1602 Hill Street, Bastrop, Texas 78602
• Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Victims of the wildfires can start picking up donated items at the Rundell Distribution Center located at 704 Hwy 71W starting between 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and the Smithfield Distribution Center at 210 Main St. at the same time. 

Bastrop officials said the Bastrop Christian Ministerial Alliance working with the Austin Disaster Relief Network is acting as the clearinghouse for people who wish to donate to people in need because of the fire.

Later this week, BCMA will make public a list of appliances and furniture that fire victims need, once they are all allowed back into their properties to assess damage and needs.

Officials ask that monetary donations are given to BCMA, with funds being deposited into First National Bank in Bastrop. These funds are ensured to be given directly to the fire victims in the Bastrop area. To reach BCMA, call 512-332-8977 or 512-332-8661.

You can also still make an online donation on through KXAN's partnership with Walmart and the Salvation Army, called " Neighbors Helping Neighbors."

The Salvation Army warehouse located in Austin will open to give out personal goods, toys and clothing to fire victims starting Friday. It is located at 12317 Technology Blvd., Suite 300. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m on Friday, then change to Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Make checks payable to: Salvation Army/ Firestorm TX, PO Box 36607, Dallas, TX 75235. Monetary donations can also be made by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

The Bastrop Church of Christ and Smithville distribution centers also have websites to help people find assistance.

Home Cleanup Supply Kits will be handed out by H.E.B. staff and volunteers at the Tahitian Village Checkpoint No. 1, Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 140 Tahitian Dr., Bastrop -- from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Friday. As many as 1,200 kits will be handed out. American Red Cross will also provide shovels, buckets, brooms, sifters and other items.

Click here to view a list of benefit events scheduled through Sunday.