How to help Hurricane Helene victims

The content of this post was taken from a Tampa Bay Times article. For the original article, please click here.

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Hurricane Helene, the worst storm to hit Tampa Bay in a century, walloped barrier island communities like Madeira Beach and Treasure Island. Folks on the mainland experienced unprecedented flooding that totaled vehicles and destroyed homes. In Pinellas County alone, more than 19,000 homes have been reported as damaged by the storm as of Sunday. The trail of destruction rippled up through northern states like Georgia and the Carolinas.

As recovery efforts begin, here are ways to help around Tampa Bay and beyond.

Volunteer

Pinellas County is seeking volunteers to help with local recovery efforts. Sign up at volunteerflorida.org/volunteerconnect.

Join Feeding Tampa Bay’s Emergency Response Volunteer Team, which works in partnership with local emergency operations centers to distribute food, hygiene items and water. Sign up at volunteer.feedingtampabay.org/disaster-response. You can also donate here.

Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay is part of a national organization, which also has locations in Central Florida and North Central Florida. Recent projects include covering vulnerable homes with roof tarps and coordinating hurricane relief kits. Visit rttb.org to learn about volunteer opportunities or donate.

World Central Kitchen, Chef José Andrés’ nonprofit, is serving free meals across Florida and other states impacted by the storm. To sign up for available volunteer shifts or donate, visit wck.org.

Operation BBQ Relief deploys mobile kitchens to fuel communities and first responders in areas hit by natural disasters. The nonprofit is serving meals around Florida, including St. Petersburg. Learn how to volunteer or donate at operationbbqrelief.org.

Donate

211 Tampa Bay Cares connects people to important resources, from food and mental health services to housing needs and veteran support. Donate at 211tampabay.org.

Metropolitan Ministries works with 65 neighborhood partners to help families across Tampa Bay. Donations go toward helping people access food, water, shelter and supplies after Helene. metromin.org.

The Salvation Army is raising funds to support its Incident Management Teams and Southern Baptist Disaster Relief field kitchens, which provide meals in Florida, Tennessee and other areas impacted by the storm. Donate at disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.

Florida Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters is a statewide group of nonprofits that work together to help people impacted by disasters. Learn more and donate at voadflorida.wpengine.com.

The Florida Disaster Fund is the official private fund from the state dedicated to helping communities responding to disaster. Contribute online via the Paypal Donation page. Make donations to Volunteer Florida Foundation. Checks can be mailed to: Volunteer Florida Foundation, Attn: Florida Disaster Fund, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308.

GlobalGiving is collecting funds to help Helene survivors across Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia and Cuba. Funds go towards emergency meals and supplies, as well as support for frontline workers. After initial relief work is done, the fund will transition to help “longer-term recovery and resiliency efforts led by local, vetted organizations.” Donate at globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-helene-relief-fund.

The West Pasco Title 1 Schools Hurricane Relief Donations Drive: Gulf High School is working with the Pasco Education Foundation to accept donations for families impacted by the storm. “All monies collected with be distributed fairly among the Title 1 elementary, middle, and high schools on the west side of Pasco,” read a Facebook post about the drive. “We are grateful for any contribution that will help our families get focused back on living and learning.” Visit bit.ly/pascohurricanerelief to donate.

Hudson High teams up with Metropolitan Ministries: Hudson High School will distribute hurricane relief supplies at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Clothing and hygiene items will also be available at the Hudson Community Clinic. To learn more about donating or receiving items, visit facebook.com/hudsonhighschoolpasco.

Anclote High School’s football program will collect cash donations, food, toiletries and clean clothing at upcoming football games on Monday and Friday. 1540 Sweetbriar Dr., Holiday. Contact Coach Berger at jschmach@pasco.k12.fk.us.

The Pinellas Education Foundation will use donations to help teachers, students and classrooms that were impacted by the storm. pinellaseducation.org.

Have an organization or fundraiser to add to the list? Email gcalise@tampabay.com.