San Antonio nonprofit gets medical equipment to those affected by floods

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Families affected by catastrophic flooding in Central Texas have lost homes, clothing, food, and much more.

At least 120 deaths have been confirmed in six counties. As of Thursday, 161 people were missing in Kerr County alone. Overall, at least 166 people remain missing in the state.

An essential lost by some is medical equipment. A San Antonio-based nonprofit is working to fill that need, though.

Project MEND, or the Medical Equipment Network for those with Disabilities, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that was formed in 1992. It provides medical equipment and assistive technology to people with disabilities in San Antonio and around Texas, according to its website.

After the floods, Project MEND worked to get medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, etc. to people who lost theirs in the floods or were injured and need help starting their healing process.

"Our mission is very simple; we take medical equipment that's primarily related to mobility, refurbish it, and get it out to people that are in need of that," explained Kristy Walston, chief development officer at Project MEND.

Project MEND is the largest organization of its kind in the state, Walston said. The nonprofit follows state standards for medical equipment and ensures that it's safe, sanitized, and ready to use.

Usually, Project MEND requires a doctor's prescription before they provide equipment to individuals, but they're waiving that requirement for flood survivors right now.

"When people are rescued or have to leave everything behind, they don't have time to get the medical equipment that they need, that they are absolutely dependent upon," she added.

Walston said they're waiting to hear from officials on when they can move into affected areas in the Hill Country, like Kerr County, but the nonprofit already has a truckload of equipment that's "ready to mobilize and distribute" when they get the go-ahead.

Project MEND serves people in need all times of year, but Walston said the need definitely increases during and after disasters.

"The need is huge. We, on average, get 180 phone calls a day, and that has just grown substantially," she said. "We are in meetings every day with FEMA and all the disaster relief folks to make sure that we're meeting the need and getting the word out to individuals that are in need of our services."

Walston said wheelchairs are the number one need, but people who want to help the nonprofit's efforts can also donate other equipment or money, which goes directly to purchasing equipment that is needed and hasn't been donated. The group also welcomes volunteers.

According to Project MEND's website, other equipment that's in high demand includes rollator walkers, tub transfer benches, power chairs, and home hospital beds.

The nonprofit has a donation drop-off location in New Braunfels at the Eden Hill Communities. The group also does pickups for larger equipment, but Walston said they're a little backlogged in those efforts right now.

More information about donating or volunteering can be found online.

For those in need of equipment, Project MEND has a designated emergency line at 210-538-6136, or people in need can visit their headquarters at 5015 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio.