As one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the U.S., Hurricane Ian made landfall in southwest Florida as a Category 4 storm with winds of 150 mph, bringing record storm surges, torrential rains and catastrophic flooding. Thousands of people have been rescued across the state as emergency workers have sifted through homes and buildings, and officials have linked about 100 deaths to the storm as of Monday.
As the community tries to recover from the disaster, there are local, one-the-ground foundations and grassroots organizations that are mobilizing to help those in need. If you’re looking for ways to help, here is a list of ten organizations you can donate to or volunteer for:
1. Volunteer Florida
The foundation manages the Florida Disaster Fund, the state’s official fund for disaster and emergency response. You can donate here.
2. Global Empowerment Mission
The Miami-based non-profit works around the world to respond to disasters and are currently working to provide hurricane disaster relief and accept supplies, donations and volunteer applicants.
The City of Miami Beach is encouraging donations for those affected by Hurricane Ian.
Donations for @GEMmissions will be accepted at Fire Stations 2 and 4 through Friday, October 7.
Visit our website to donate online: https://t.co/Fe9XILvlMf pic.twitter.com/9ZeDG1yJOH
— City of Miami Beach (@MiamiBeachNews) September 30, 2022
The City of Miami Beach is accepting donations for GEM in person at Fire Station #2 (2300 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach) and Fire Station #4 (6880 Indian Creek Drive, Miami Beach) through Friday, October 7. They are accepting the following:
- Travel-sized toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush)
- Diapers, wipes & liquid formula
- Solar power banks
- Nonperishable food items (canned goods with peel off tops are ideal, canned meats/tuna, soup, cereal, peanut butter)
- Flashlights
- Batteries
3. American Red Cross
The national organization is presently receiving monetary donations to help those affected by Hurricane Ian.
4. The Smile Trust
The international non-profit organization fights against homelessness and works toward fixing food insecurities. They work on the ground to help neighbors in need in Miami and communities worldwide. For Hurricane Ian, The Smile Trust is seeking support through volunteers and donations to help the individuals directly impacted.
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You can visit ‘The Freedom Lab’ at 4300 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33127 to drop off the following donations:
- Water
- Nonperishable food
- Batteries
- Flashlights
- Medical supplies & first aid kits
- Hygiene products & cleaning products
- Charcoal
- Tents
- Hotspots
Volunteers are also welcome at the Freedom Lab Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
5. Feeding Florida
Feeding Florida’s food banks are on the ground providing food, water, and resources to those affected by Hurricane Ian. This effort takes a great deal of resources, and they accept contributions to help the relief effort.
6. AmeriCares
AmeriCares, which has had a long history of responding to emergencies in Florida and the Gulf Coast, is ready to respond to the impact of Hurricane Ian with medicines, relief supplies and emergency response teams. You can donate here.
7. Captains for Clearwater
The grassroots organization that fights to restore and protect Florida waters have set up a network of drop off sites for donating relief essentials as well as a Hurricane Ian Relief Fund and Guide Relief Fund. They are accepting donations through Friday, October 7 at the following locations:
- Miami-Dade County – 17131 SW 85th Ave, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157 (Daily, 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
- Broward County – 3781 SW 146th Ave, Miramar, FL 33027 (Daily after 4 p.m.)
- Brevard County: FrogBones Family Shooting Center – 404 S Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901 (Daily, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Monroe County: Angler House Marina – 80500 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036 (Daily, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
See the full list of locations here to find the nearest one to you.
8. Collaboratory
The Southwest Florida (SWFL) Emergency Relief Fund supports local nonprofits and areas experiencing the most immediate needs, including Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties. Working in partnership with the United Way, the Collaboratory is helping people affected by Hurricane Ian.
9. Community Foundation of Sarasota County
The foundation is currently accepting contributions to its Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund in partnership with a network of community foundations in Florida and the Southeastern United States to support recovery efforts in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties. You can donate here.
10. Collier Community Foundation
The Collier Community Foundation works with donors to mobilize resources to address community needs and has reactivated its Collier Comes Together Hurricane Fund to assist Hurricane Ian victims. Activation of the fund allows the foundation to act quickly to ensure immediate aid is provided where needed most.