Storm Support Bridges Art World and Humanitarian Efforts

Life in South Slope quickly returned to normal after Sandy. Yes, public transportation was a mess, gas stations were empty and ATM machines were wonky, but our homes were intact, businesses were operating and families were safe.

Whether it’s a form of survivor guilt or just an overwhelming sense of humanity is difficult to say, but watching the aftermath of Sandy on television and following the chaos on Twitter has been simply heartbreaking, especially for those unable to jump into the fray and help dig our surrounding communities out.

This was the position South Slope artist, Walter Shook, his business partner at Experience-Interaction, Jesse Resnick and Anshay Bhatia of VPV Interactive found themselves in.

“We wanted to do something to help relief efforts for the storm,” Jesse told us, “but we’re all very busy and can’t delivery meals or pitch in for physical labor. What we could do, though, was use our business and skills to help raise money.”

Enter Storm Support, a website offering t-shirts and totes designed by both local and national artists.

“The idea came about on a Friday at about 4 or 5 and launched with nine products on Monday,” said Jesse. “We have 8 or so people with varying skills donating their time or talent and new designs are being submitted by artists all over the country.”

Best of all, 100% of the proceeds from Storm Support are donated to the Robin Hood Foundation and other local organizations.

“We are completely non-profit (official non-profit status expected soon),” said Jesse. “The only expenses we have are very minimal printing costs, so everything goes directly to Sandy relief efforts.”

It’s difficult to go wrong here. You score a wicked cool, minimalist shirt or tote and help the Sandy relief efforts. Be sure to spread the word and check out Storm Support today.