Bianca Barr
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People throughout Florida need assistance after Hurricane Ian devastated a large part of the state.
What's the best thing I can do to help?
Cash is king. You may be tempted to donate clothing, food, bottled water or other supplies, especially after seeing the utter destruction and people who have just lost everything. Aid organizations say donations like that often create logistical nightmares and more expense. A financial donation can be spent on what is needed most at that particular moment.
Understand who's receiving your money. Charity scams abound after natural disasters. Give to trusted, mainstream organizations. If you are unsure about a group, check it out at the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, the Charity Navigator, Charity Watch or GuideStar.
Here is a list of agencies that will be assisting hurricane victims.
Florida Disaster Fund
The Florida Disaster Fund is the state of Florida’s official private fund, established to provide financial assistance to communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. To contribute with a credit card, you can text DISASTER to 20222 or visit The Florida Disaster Fund website. Checks should be made payable to the Volunteer Florida Foundation and should include “Florida Disaster Fund” in the memo line.
American Red Cross
Help people affected by Hurricane Ian by visiting redcross.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS. Donations directed toward Hurricane Ian enable the Red Cross to respond to and help people recover from this disaster. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support and other assistance. If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review the most urgently needed volunteer positions or sign up to give blood.
GoFundMe
GoFundMe connects you to people who need help. The Weather Channel and GoFundMe have teamed up to help people in the path of a natural disaster be prepared and recover quicker than ever before. If a hurricane has impacted you or someone you know, you can start a GoFundMe to get on the road to recovery. You can request help or donate to someone in need.
United Way
United Way locations across Florida are ready to help. If anyone is in need during this time, call the free 211 Helpline about disaster-related evacuations, shelters, food/clothing distributions, volunteer opportunities and other resources.
Monetary contributions to the United Way of Florida Disaster Fund will be directed to Florida communities most impacted. One donation can be made to benefit multiple communities or directed to a specific need or location/county.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army operates mobile feeding units, with several dozen "canteens" already set up across Florida. Each mobile feeding unit can feed about 1,500 meals a day. Emergency Disaster Services warehouses in Tampa and McDonough, Georgia, are prepped with food, water, cleaning supplies, hygiene products and other items that will be distributed to those in need over the coming days and weeks. You can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) to make a donation by phone, text STORM to 51555 or use the Salvation Army Hurricane Relief webpage.
Save the Children
Save the Children's emergency response team is preparing to meet the most urgent needs of children and families living in the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ian. Contributions to the 2022 Hurricane Ian Relief Fund will help teams deliver essential items like water, hygiene kits, diapers and other life-saving supplies.
World Central Kitchen
World Central Kitchen and local partners will be supporting impacted communities across Florida with fresh, hot meals. They've started by flying food and water into Sanibel Island, which was crippled by a causeway collapse, for first responders to give to anyone still on the island as rescue efforts continue. Those who wish to help can donate here.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.
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