A special collection will be taken up in the 84 parishes of the Diocese of Allentown the weekend of Sept. 9-10 to benefit the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Having witnessed the extreme devastation caused by the hurricane and the historic flooding in Texas, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called for the collection throughout the United States.Proceeds of this emergency collection will be used both to support the humanitarian and recovery efforts of Catholic Charities USA and to provide pastoral and rebuilding support to impacted dioceses through the USCCB.The Diocese is also suggesting that special prayers for the victims of the devastating flooding in Texas be offered at Masses this weekend and next.Other donationsGIANT Food Stores and MARTIN'S Food Markets today pledged a total donation of $75,000 to help with relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Harvey. A cash donation of $50,000 has already been made to the American Red Cross for the Texas Flood and Hurricane Relief fund. In the coming weeks, an additional donation of $25,000 in needed products will be donated directly to the impacted communities to assist those affected by the natural disaster.If interested in making a donation, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word HARVEY to 90999 to make a $10 donation.