Hurricane Milton Relief: Your Guide to Volunteering and Donating in Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay area and so many other Floridians are left in devastating circumstances after the destruction from Hurricane Helene and Milton. Two back-to-back storms in the Tampa Bay area has left many in need of assistance.
Many others who were not as badly affected from the storm may now be feeling some survivors guilt. Now is the time we come together as a community to help each other and come back stronger than ever. If you’re waking up today with power and feeling grateful that the worst is behind you, here are some volunteer and donation efforts across the Tampa Bay area.
Volunteer & Donation Opportunities In Tampa Bay
There’s so many little things you can do to lend a hand, anyone looking to volunteer is suggested to sign up on the official volunteer pages. You can go to Volunteer Florida, an organization that connects volunteers with local community organizations. Or you can follow the links below.
Hillsborough County Comfort Station: Multiple events are being held by the USF CERT in Tampa. They need assistance with tasks including: greeting individuals at the check-in table and collecting and sharing basic information. Sorting and organizing donations, assemble hygiene kits, and help with meal and clothing distribution, guiding individuals to find what they need while fostering a welcoming environment. To find and sign up for an event near you, click here. Continue to check back regularly if all spots are closed, new events may pop up each day.
Metropolitan Ministries: is offering hot meals and bagged lunches from their kitchen sent out to the community. The Family Support Center offers food, hygiene, air conditioning, and much more to residents impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton Any volunteer opportunities will be posted here. If you’d like to make a donation at a drop off site, click here.
Feeding Tampa Bay: will be hosting many disaster relief meal prep sites across Tampa Bay. Spots may be all full so continue to check regularly for any new events that may arise. Click here to see any opportunities.
Hope Villages of America: All Volunteers must complete our volunteer application and pass the background check to volunteer at any Hope Villages of America programs to ensure that it will be a safe volunteer experience for all. Click here for any opportunities. Or you can call at 727-443-403 x 506, or email volunteer@hopevillagesofamerica.org
Reach Out WorldWide: Volunteers are needed to help remove all water-damaged material (flooring, furnishings, sheet rock, etc) from impacted buildings. Opportunities are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Sunday in Venice. Click here to sign up.
American Red Cross: Hillsborough County established the Hillsborough County Disaster Relief Fund, for residents who have been impacted by locally declared emergency disasters. For more info, click here.
Donation Items Needed
We understand that not everyone has the time to volunteer, if you’d still like to help your community rebuild, here’s a list of some highly-requested items for drop off sites:
- Personal hygiene items like: first aid kits, toothpaste, soap bars & gels, hand sanitizer, cotton balls, q-tips, feminine hygiene products, diapers, baby wipes, lotion.
- Canned food & baby food
- Water bottles/jugs
- Pet food, cat litter, carriers, leashes
- Cleaning supplies: disinfectant wipes or sprays, paper towels, brooms, tarps, and basic home tools
- Paper products and utensils
- Lightly used & clean clothing.
