Here’s How You Can Help Those Impacted By Hurricane Ian
Our hearts are with those affected by Hurricane Ian.
Photo Credit: John Raoux AP
We all want to help those impacted by Hurricane Ian. 💔
Florida just experienced one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the state. The damage left by the record-breaking storm surge and powerful winds is truly devastating. Our hearts are breaking for all those affected. We truly want to help survivors in whatever way we can and we know Hip2Save readers do, too!
That’s why we made a list of ways you can aid those impacted by Hurricane Ian. From cash donations to volunteering, we hope this list provides you with effective ways to help those in need.
Here are several ways to help survivors of Hurricane Ian:
1. Make a monetary donation.
Photo Credit: Wilfredo Lee AP
One of the fastest and most effective ways to help is to make a monetary donation. These organizations could use your help:
- The American Red Cross is taking donations online, by phone, and through your Amazon Alexa device.
- The Salvation Army is taking donations online, via phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769), or you can Text STORM to 51555.
- The Florida Disaster Fund website makes it easy to make a donation that will go towards hurricane relief.
- Feeding Florida is part of the organization Feeding America and right now they are taking monetary or food bank donations.
- CARE, the global humanitarian organization, has partnered with local organizations to give cash assistance to vulnerable families.
- Convoy of Hope was reonlinemended by Hip2Save reader, Jeanna, and they are currently taking monetary donations to create and deliver relief supply kits.
- Catholic Charities is accepting donations to support the response teams who are gathering food, water, and other resources for those in need.
- World Central Kitchen could use your support to serve thousands of meals to Floridians impacted by the hurricane.
- Save the Children is accepting donations to help deliver aid like water, hygiene kits, diapers, and other life-saving supplies.
- Project HOPE is using donations to send medical supplies, hygiene kits, food, clean water, and support for clinics.
- Eight Days of Hope onlinees reonlinemended by Hip2Save reader, Alice, and they are responding to Hurricane Ian with aid and rebuilding efforts.
- 211 Tampa Bay Cares is a onlinemunity organization providing many resources to those directly affected by Hurricane Ian.
- Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that is on the ground in Florida helping with cleanup and clearing debris.
- Trucks With Room To Spare is sending volunteer truckers with trucks of supplies to those in need and they can use your support to make it happen.
- Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund is taking donations to assist the most vulnerable residents impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Be wary of scams.
Unfortunately, there will be parties looking to take advantage of the crisis. The Federal Trade onlinemission suggests you research an organization before making a donation. You can do so using sites like Charity Navigator, Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, and Charity Watch.
Some helpful tips when donating are to avoid making cash donations, don’t talk to pushy phone solicitors, and be skeptical of any “pop-up” charity organizations and GoFundMe pages.
2. Give blood.
In the wake of the hurricane, there is an urgent need for blood donors. The American Red Cross is one of the most well-known ways to give blood in an emergency and they are asking for donations.
Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting , or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Another organization is OneBlood. They service 250 hospitals in Florida and the South and are currently asking for blood donations.
3. Volunteer your time.
Aid Hurricane Ian survivors by volunteering with an organization providing relief. Here are a few that are looking for volunteers:
- The Red Cross is looking for volunteers for a variety of positions like blood transportation specialists, disaster action team members, shelter services, and more.
- FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency that can help you find where to donate or volunteer.
- Metropolitan Ministries is urgently looking for Tampa Bay area volunteers to help prepare meals, sort food boxes, and provide other relief services.
- World Central Kitchen is also taking volunteers to help with meal preparation and hurricane aid.
- Volunteer Florida will pair you with volunteer opportunities specifically benefiting Hurricane Ian survivors.
- Samaritan’s Purse was reonlinemended by Hip2Save reader, Linda, as this international crisis relief group is currently recruiting volunteers (and taking monetary donations).
- Trucks With Room to Spare could use volunteer truckers to help deliver goods to those in need.
4. Donate goods.
Monetary donations are usually the best way to help, but there is a place for in-kind donations too. Many organizations right now are having logistics issues or are unable to pick up donations. Before donating, confirm with the organization that they have a need for the items you intend to drop off. Types of places that can really benefit from donations are animal shelters, churches, and food banks.
Below are a few places that are in need of in-kind donations related to Hurricane Ian:
- Big Dog Ranch is a Florida no-kill animal shelter that has put out a call for donations like wet or dry dog and cat food, blankets, and crates that they will use and give to other shelters in need.
- Saint Zita Disaster Relief & Recovery has issued a wishlist of items including shovels, goggles, diapers, feminine products, toothbrushes, and nonperishable food.
- Feeding America is accepting food donations at food banks in Florida and near you.
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is accepting nonperishable food at their dropoff locations.
5. Keep the conversation going.
Hurricane clean-up efforts continue long after the news stories stop. So do the feelings of surviving a hurricane. That’s why one of the best things you can do for Hurricane Ian victims is to continue to ask how they are doing and offer your help when able. As many of us begin to celebrate the holidays, it’s important to remember that hurricane survivors will still be repairing their onlinemunities – and their hearts.
When you find an organization that you feel does honorable relief work, spread the news and tell your friends and family about it too. Hopefully, this will keep relief efforts going strong.
Additionally, if you know a hurricane survivor, make sure they are aware of organizations that can provide quick cash relief or meals, like CARE or the Metropolitan Ministries. If they need help with home cleanup, Hip2Save reader, Amy, tipped us off that Crisis Cleanup has a Home Cleanup Hotline. Survivors can call about free help with mold mitigation, removing debris, and tarping roofs. Call them toll-free at 800-451-1954 or locally at 787-545-7058.
Last, but not least, the organization 211 Tampa Bay Cares offers tons of resources to hurricane survivors including pharmacy and mental health resources.
