Above photo courtesy of Snowmanradio via Flickr Creative Commons

Update: November 5, 12:00 noon

Volunteer: Visit the NYC Service website for the most up-to-date volunteer opportunities throughout the five boroughs.

You can also register with New York Cares.

Volunteer or donate: Occupy Sandy Relief has been coordinating efforts across the boroughs, including Brooklyn, The Rockaways, Staten Island, and more. Learn more from their extensive website, or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

Cash Donations: Cash donations are the best way to support relief efforts. To give cash donations visit the City. You can also text NYCFUND to 50555 to give $10 to the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, which will help provide essential aid and supplies to New Yorkers in need.

AidMatrix: If you are a company or organization with access to a large volume of items and would like to donate them to the disaster relief effort visit the AidMatrix portal. At this site you can match a posted need or make a general offer of supplies.

Blood: Giving blood is incredibly helpful right now. For more information, visit the New York Blood Center.

Many downtown restaurants (and their employees) were hit hard by the lost week of revenue. Eat Down. Tip Up. is a simple way for diners to give back to the businesses that sustain our neighborhoods. Learn more.

Benefits: Check out this list of benefits planned as Sandy Relief efforts, as compiled (and updated) by Grub Street New York.

Update: November 2, 7:00 pm

The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving all of NYC’s five boroughs. In this time of need, the fund is focused on hurricane relief for residents impacted by the storm. Assistance includes securing food, water and hygiene supplies for all the storm’s displaced victims, as well as providing long-term aid and promoting restoration efforts. Learn more and donate here.

Like many other organizations, Tribeca’s non-profit Tribeca Film Institute will make a donation to the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City for those who have been affected by the storm.

We will continue to update this page with more places to volunteer and donate. Please add your own suggestions in the comments below.

When Hurricane Sandy struck last Monday, no one could have predicted the impact that the tremendous storm would have on the East Coast. Millions were left without power as flood waters continued to rise, despite the best efforts of first responders and government workers everywhere. Lower Manhattan went dark, projecting an eerie sight to onlookers from across the water and residents based uptown. In the light of day, the city was shaken, but never downtrodden.

As NYC and its surrounding areas (New Jersey taking a particularly hard hit) gather together to pick up the pieces, it will take a community effort to help rebuild our cities and homes. Rest assured, there are lots of ways that New Yorkers can play an active role in the relief effort, regardless of mass transit shut downs.

Volunteer

• City Hall needs your help! Email nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov with your name, email address, and borough. In the upcoming days, you will be contacted as volunteer opportunities arise in your area.

• Are you involved with New York Cares? If you are already a registered volunteer, you can sign up for Hurricane Sandy relief projects in progress. If you have never attended a New York Cares orientation, please sign up for more information concerning relief efforts here.

• The NYC Parks Deparment needs volunteers to help re-beautify our parks! You can volunteer your time in either the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan or Queens.

• Sign up with the New York Public Advocate’s Office with your volunteer availability, and they will follow up with you as needed.

• The NY chapter of the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers for its various shelters across the boroughs. If you meet all their volunteer requirements, fill out their Spontaneous Volunteer application.

Donate

• Out of state, but still want you help your beloved city? Donate to the American Red Cross by visiting their website or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

• Red Hook, Brooklyn was one of the places hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Bring your extra canned goods, bottled water, candles or anything else to St. Jacobi Church (5406 4th Ave) in Sunset Park. You can make financial donations here.

•  The Food Bank of New York City is continuing to distribute vital food supplies to feeding programs, soup kitchens, food pantries, senior centers and those in need all over the city. Please donate to help keep them going!

• Bring whatever you can spare to CAAV in Chinatown (46 Hester Street) for their ongoing clothing and food drive from 10am to 5pm everyday. If you’d like to volunteer, email justice@caaav.org.

• Can’t make it in person to volunteer? Here are some organizations that could use your financial contributions: The Salvation Army, The Humane Society, North Shore Animal League, The Bowery Mission, New York Cares.

Keep your chin up, NYC. Together, we will get through this. Let us know of any other organizations seeking volunteers and/or donations in the comments below!

Follow @NYCMayorsOffice and @SandyVolunteer on Twitter for updates.