Tens of 1000’s of persons are struggling proper now in Florida after Hurricane Ian hit the Fort Myers space. Hurricane-force winds and flooding rains destroyed houses, companies, and roads. Some folks misplaced all the pieces and the devastation brought on by this storm will likely be felt for years.
Fortunately, there are organizations which are on the bottom serving to proper now and will likely be serving to for weeks, months, and — sadly — years to come back.
Listed below are seven methods you’ll be able to assist hurricane survivors:
1. American Crimson Cross
From home fires to multi-state pure disasters, the American Crimson Cross goes in to ship important providers for these in disaster. It gives clear water, secure shelter, and scorching meals when folks want them most.
In a catastrophe like Hurricane Ian, your donation permits Crimson Cross volunteers to inventory provides, set up secure shelters, and supply meals and shelter till households can return to their houses. They’ll additionally hand out meals, water, and provides to communities, present medical care and clear up provides, assess injury, and work with households on restoration plans.
2. Feeding Florida
Feeding Florida is the state’s solely hunger-relief group that serves all 67 counties in Florida. It’s working with meals banks all around the state to offer meals, water, and sources to these affected by Hurricane Ian.
3. Florida Catastrophe Fund
The Florida Catastrophe Fund is Florida’s official non-public fund which was established to assist in catastrophe conditions like Hurricane Ian with response and restoration. Donations are made to the Volunteer Florida Basis, which receives state and federal funding to assist efforts to develop nationwide service, promote catastrophe resiliency, and advocate for volunteerism within the state. The Florida Catastrophe Fund distributes its donations to service organizations throughout the state that can then go in and assist communities.
After Hurricane Andrew hit Florida, Volunteer Florida advanced to function the state’s lead company for mobilizing volunteers and coordinating donations earlier than, throughout, and after disasters.
When you would fairly ship a verify, make it out to “Volunteer Florida Basis” and embrace “Florida Catastrophe Fund” within the memo line.
4. Crew Rubicon
Catastrophe responders with Crew Rubicon acquired on the bottom in Florida earlier than Hurricane Ian hit. Two route clearance groups introduced in heavy tools and chainsaws and are serving to clear timber and different particles from roadways.
The nonprofit makes use of the talents and expertise of navy veterans with first responders to assist after a catastrophe. Crew Rubicon has deployed throughout the nation and world wide to offer speedy reduction.
5. World Central Kitchen
When a catastrophe strikes, persons are in want of meals immediately. World Central Kitchen is a nonprofit group that was first on-site with contemporary meals. Proper now, the group is within the Fort Myers space serving 1000’s of scorching meals and sandwiches to those that have been impacted.
In these sorts of conditions, reduction groups go in and begin cooking and serving meals. WCK companions with organizations on the bottom by activating a community of native eating places, meals vehicles, or emergency kitchens. It additionally buys native elements to cook dinner with or distribute proper to households.
6. Cajun Navy
In the course of the aftermath of a storm, the Cajun Navy makes use of social media to recruit folks to assist the disaster assist programs that get overwhelmed. It should make a submit asking for folks to come back out and volunteer.
When you’d like to assist, you could find them on Fb or Twitter. Throughout Ian, volunteers get collectively at secure camps to present out meals, water, and provides. You may make a financial donation, donate meals for volunteers, or give provides like full gas cans or cleansing merchandise.
7. CORE
CORE is a disaster response group that brings speedy help and restoration to underserved communities throughout a catastrophe like Hurricane Ian. Proper now, CORE is coordinating with native companions and authorities officers to determine the best wants so it might reply with reduction provides. It helps the toughest hit communities and most weak populations.
Whenever you go to make a donation, you will need to be sure to’re not getting scammed. The Higher Enterprise Bureau suggests you perform a little analysis so that you be sure that your cash goes to the appropriate place.
Listed below are a couple of ideas:
- Be certain the group discloses what the cash will likely be used for. Issues like meals, shelter, or medical care are what you must search for.
- Be certain the group already has some sort of presence within the affected space.
- Be certain the group has helped in previous pure disasters.
- Test to see if the group meets Higher Enterprise Bureau requirements.
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