How to help Florida victims of Hurricane Ian

The images showing the devastation left by Hurricane Ian this week are heartbreaking.

Though South Florida experienced Ian-related flood and wind damage, we avoided a direct hit and now it’s time to help our neighbors in need.

Advertisement

Here’s a list of organizations that already have efforts underway. Please keep in mind that we’ll continue to update this roundup as information becomes available.

For the next 30 days, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will help with emergency services and debris removal and provide other assistance to survivors in nine Florida counties, including Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota. If you would like to donate money or your time to volunteer agencies such as the American Red Cross, Florida Baptist, The Salvation Army, Feeding Florida, Farm Share, Midwest Food Bank, Operation BBQ Relief, Mercy Chefs and World Central Kitchen that are staging operations for feeding survivors and the federal workers who are helping them, go to FEMA.gov/assistance/volunteer-donate.

Advertisement

A coalition of grassroots groups banded together in 2017 as a response to Hurricane Irma. Once again, they are activating for Hurricane Ian recovery. The on-the-ground organizations that make up the alliance include Florida Rising, Dream Defenders, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Central Florida Jobs With Justice and Faith in Florida. Go to ActBlue.com/donate/ianresponsefl.

This agency for volunteerism and national service also has a foundation that manages the Florida Disaster Fund. Their website has a clearinghouse of disaster relief efforts looking for volunteers. You can also make donations to the Florida Disaster Fund through the foundation, which as a 501(c)(3) charity, makes your gift tax-deductible. Go to VolunteerFlorida.org.

Before Hurricane Ian made landfall, the Red Cross sent 500 trained staffers and convoys of supplies to strategic locations throughout Florida. There are several ways to help: If you would like to volunteer, go to RedCross.org/volunteertoday. Or make a $10 donation by texting the word IAN to 90999. You can also donate by calling 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or going to RedCross.org.

This South Florida company has a legacy of pitching in after hurricanes. This time around, John and Jennifer Rezai, who head up Fort Lauderdale Ice, are going to use part of their fleet of trucks to carry both dry or cold items to hard-hit areas. In addition to money (cash, credit card, Venmo, Zelle), you can also donate food items, pet food, diapers, socks, towels, batteries, flashlights, blankets, tents and “anything you think they can use,” says Belinda January, COO of the company. “Those poor people lost everything.” The main dropoff point will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day at 1915 NW 18th St., Building C, Pompano Beach. The company is also willing to drop off boxes to anyone who wishes to collect items and, upon request, would later pick them up. For more information, go to FortLauderdaleIce.com.

This organization provides blood to more than 250 hospitals throughout Florida and parts of the South. They are encouraging people not affected by the storm to consider donating blood. While all blood types are needed, there is a particular call for O Negative and O Positive donors. To find a Big Red Bus blood drive or a donor center near you, visit OneBlood.org.

This Palm Beach County-based operation will provide pet supplies to shelters and families. You can donate wet or dry dog and cat food, blankets, crates and/or cash. Big Dog Ranch Rescue founder and CEO Lauree Simmons says she will send the first trucks within 48 hours, so time is of the essence. Drop off donated supplies from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, 14444 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves, or make cash donations by calling 561-791-6465 or going to BDRR.org.

Breaking News Alerts

Breaking News Alerts

As it happens

Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts.

This social media platform connects users to nonprofits and their causes. Available on Apple iOS, Android Google Play and their own website, the fundraising app is asking for $5 donations that will help people and pets with food, shelter and emergency services. The money will go to the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Mercy Corps, Mercy Chefs and City Search & Rescue. Go to WishlyApp.com.

This nonprofit started with a mission to help people during the 1999 Kosovo Crisis and has continued through the years trying “to bridge the gap between first response and sustainable development,” according to its website. Currently, GEM is helping people affected by both Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Fiona. If you have supplies you’d like to donate — everything from nonperishable food and water to first aid kits and tents — there is a drop-off donation at 1810 NW 94th Ave., Doral. If you wish to volunteer, go to GlobalEmpowermentMission.org/volunteer. To donate money, go to GlobalEmpowermentMission.org/financials/how-to-donate.

Advertisement

According to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s website, 100% of all money collected “will provide aid and critical support to those in need.” Checks should be notated with “Hurricane Ian Relief Fund” and mailed to Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL. 33137. For more information, visit JewishMiami.org/gift/hurricane-ian or call 305-576-4000.

This disaster relief organization was created following the 2010 Haiti earthquake and today has expanded to more than 150,000 volunteers across the United States. To use their “text to give” program, you donate $10 by texting RUBICON to 20222 (to donate $25, text TEAM instead). You may also donate by going to TeamRubiconUSA.org/give. If you want to volunteer, go to TeamRubiconUSA.org/international.

Publix is starting a companywide donation program where you can give money at checkout that will benefit the American Red Cross in their efforts supporting relief in areas affected by Hurricane Ian. For more information, go to Corporate.Publix.com.

Chef José Andrés founded this organization in 2010 after a huge earthquake devastated Haiti. Today they are preparing thousands of pasta and salad meals for people impacted by Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico. World Central Kitchen had just opened a field test kitchen there and is now sending out their food trucks to affected communities. To support their efforts, go to WCK.org/relief/hurricane-fiona.

From Florida to Puerto Rico, the Salvation Army has been giving emergency services, temporary housing, food and emotional/spiritual care to survivors of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona. The organization estimates that they are helping 1 million evacuees in their Florida shelters alone, each feeding 500-1,500 people per day. To donate, go to HelpSalvationArmy.org.

Residents leave with their belongings after an apparent overnight tornado spawned from Hurricane Ian at Kings Point in Delray Beach on Wednesday.