Relief Efforts By Text
Houses are swept by water following a tsunami and earthquake in Natori City, Japan. Several organizations are now offering methods of donating to relief efforts by text message. Reuters

Donating to the disaster relief efforts in Japan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami is now as easy as sending a text message.

Thanks to organizations like the American Red Cross, contributing money to relief in aid from the 8.8 magnitude Earthquake that originated off the coast of Northeast Japan, is fairly easy. One can text REDCROSS to 90999 and that will give a $10 donation to help those affected by the disaster. The $10 will appear on the user's next phone bill. The Red Cross has done similar things for disaster relief efforts in Haiti and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the Red Cross is also using social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook to constantly send updates regarding the earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. Recently, the company wrote on its website it is not accepting volunteers for Japan relief efforts.

The Red Cross is not the only non-profit relief organization that is using text messages for relief. The mGive Foundation has released a comprehensive list of organizations who are offering such services. The organization says it helps non-profits quickly executive mobile giving campaigns.

Along with the Red Cross, mGive lists the following companies offering text-based monetary relief.

  • Convoy of Hope, text TSUNAMI to 50555 to donate $10
  • World Relief Corp. of National Association of Evangelicals, text WAVE to 50555 to donate $10
  • GlobalGiving, text JAPAN to 50555 to donate $10

When prompted, donors should reply with YES to confirm a one-time gift. The donations, mGive says, are tax deductible.

What matters most is not only setting up these powerful text donation campaigns, but getting the word out to donors so they can help the people in Japan to rebuild and recover from this tragedy, Jenifer Snyder, executive director of The mGive Foundation, said in a statement.

Another organization that has been heavily involved in relief efforts off the bat has been the Salvation Army. The non-profit has constantly updated its Twitter, Facebook and blog and is also accepting donations via text message. To donate to the Salvation Army, it says text japan or quake to 80888.

To contact the reporter responsible for this story call (646) 461 6920 or email g.perna@ibtimes.com.

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