Hurricane Ian: How to help storm victims in Florida and Georgia
Hurricane Ian cut a devastating swath through Florida on its way to Georgia and South Carolina, leaving 2.5 million without power, destroying homes, displacing thousands and killing at least one person.
In response, Publix Super Markets Charities committed to donating $1 million to nonprofit relief organizations, including the American Red Cross and United Way. Delta Air Lines contributed $250,000 to the American Red Cross. The Home Depot Foundation announced a commitment of up to $1 million for immediate response and long-term recovery. The foundation will ship nearly 2,000 disaster relief kits, which include garbage bags, paper towels, cleaners, hand sanitizer, scour pads, gloves and N95 masks, to impacted areas in Florida.
“During this difficult time, we stand ready to assist all those who are dealing with the damage left behind,” Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation, said in a release. “With the help of our nonprofit partners, we will be there to provide resources, relief and support not only in the days to come, but throughout the recovery process.”
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announced a $100,000 grant to CARE to assist with emergency aid during this hurricane season. The money will be distributed by CARE in partnership with local organizations to assist families impacted.
“I’m troubled by the images of destruction that we’ve seen already this hurricane season and we are grateful to be able to partner with CARE and provide support to those impacted. I know it’s a long road ahead, and I wish those affected by these storms peace and healing during these very difficult times.”
Rev. Bryant Wright, president of Send Relief, an international relief organization, said his group, along with several state Southern Baptist Convention disaster relief teams, are ready to help. He hopes feeding stations will be ready by Saturday. Once activated at 10 sites around the areas hit hard by the hurricane, they will have the capacity to give 170,000 meals a day. Additionally, a number of boats manned by rescue teams from North Carolina and Tennessee are ready to help, he said.
The Salvation Army Georgia has 21 mobile feeding units and teams ready to deploy where needed. Disaster response teams have been providing meals to two shelters and emergency response personnel in Savannah and Georgia’s coast.
Organizations looking for volunteers, either in-person or virtual, include Volunteer Florida, the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. Here are more ways to help:
Blood donations
- LifeSouth and American Red Cross - All blood types are currently needed
Monetary donations
- American Red Cross - see redcross.org/donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation
- United Way’s Disaster Recovery
- United Methodist Committee on Relief
- Save the Children
- The Salvation Army
- Catholic Charities USA
- Convoy of Hope
- Florida Disaster Fund - donate online or by texting DISASTER to 20222
- Atlanta Humane Society
- Publix Super Markets - Customers and associates can make donations in any amount to the American Red Cross at checkouts.
Supplies
- Jaguar Land Rover South Atlanta - Cleaning supplies, hygiene products, baby items, Target gift cards, Walmart gift cards, washing detergent, snacks and bottled water are being collected at 3900 Jonesboro Road, Union City, GA 30291.
- Convoy of Care - Items bound for Fort Myers, Florida will be collected from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 3 at Caring For Others, 3537 Browns Mill Road SE Atlanta, GA 30354 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at WSB-TV, 1601 West Peachtree Street NE Atlanta, GA. Needed are personal hygiene for adults and children, underwear, socks, diapers, wipes, baby formula and cleaning supplies.
Before donating, check the organization’s track record or visit the Charity Navigator website, which provides information on charities and grades based on their work, or the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance.
About the Authors
Shelia has worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than 30 years. Previously, she worked at The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Louisville Defender. Her beat is a bit of a mixed bag that includes religion and spirituality, culture and trends, race and aging. She earned degrees from Spelman College and Northwestern University.
