<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0iupEU_0w2907i900" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0iupEU_0w2907i900" width="1920" height="1080" ><figcaption>A message on boards put up over windows in Tampa ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall. Photo: Bryan R. Smith/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>First <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/09/29/hurricane-helene-tampa-bay-volunteer-donate">Helene</a>, now <a href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2024/10/10/hurricane-milton-wind-damage-rainfall-flooding">Milton</a>: Tampa Bay has had a rough couple of weeks.<ul><li>Many of us — or our friends and neighbors — need help right now and a long recovery awaits.</li></ul>State of play: Governments, organizations and everyday folks are again working to get relief to storm survivors, while federal emergency officials and local nonprofits are setting up for longer-term aid.<ul><li>And for those who want to help, some local and state groups are collecting donations and assembling volunteers.</li></ul>Here are some ways to help and get help. Please send resources or opportunities not listed here to <a href="https://www.axios.com/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection">[email protected]</a>.<h2>Give help</h2>Donate cleaning supplies and safety gear at these locations of home-building nonprofit Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside:<ul><li>Pinellas Administrative Headquarters : 14010 Roosevelt Blvd., Suite 704, Clearwater</li><li>Pasco County office: 7237 Little Road, New Port Richey</li><li>Hernando County office/Hernando County Chamber of Commerce: 15588 Aviation Loop Drive, Brooksville</li></ul>In Pinellas County, officials asked to donate supplies by coordinating with the Emergency Operations Center by calling 727-464-4333.In Miami, various organizations are collecting goods to send north.<ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA6uzN7BIyD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">Club Space</a> is partnering with Global Empowerment Mission to collect essential goods for impacted families.</li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA8fElet6Vc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">City of Miami Gardens</a> is hosting a drop-off relief event at Norwood Park Friday-Sunday, 1pm-5pm. Residents are encouraged to bring non-perishable items.</li></ul>Statewide, the Smile Trust, a nonprofit organization, is setting up <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA6eCIwyyop/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">relief hubs</a> to provide resources and collect donations.Register for volunteer opportunities through the following organizations:<ul><li><a href="https://volunteer.feedingtampabay.org/disaster-response">Feeding Tampa Bay</a> Emergency Response Volunteer Team</li></ul>Donate money to these local and state organizations:<ul><li><a href="https://www.paypal.com/donate/?campaign_id=SXY7WUR983WPJ">Rebuilding Together Disaster &amp; Readiness Recovery</a>: Money goes toward Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, which provides home rehabilitation assistance to low- and mid-income families.</li><li><a href="https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/">Florida Disaster Fund</a>: The state of Florida's official private fund that distributes money to service organizations and individuals</li><li><a href="https://211tampabay.org/">211 Tampa Bay Cares</a>: Connects people to housing, food, mental health resources and more</li><li><a href="https://donate.feedingtampabay.org/give/607732/#!/donation/checkout">Feeding Tampa Bay</a>: Distributes groceries and operates standalone market and cafe</li><li><a href="https://secure.qgiv.com/for/hurricanehelene/">Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside</a>: Builds homes for low-income families</li><li><a href="https://secured.metromin.org/page/44772/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=WEBHBMM240902&amp;mwsc=MMI-615-WEBHBMM240902&amp;_ga=2.57752874.1033416868.1727641231-929346648.1727641231">Metropolitan Ministries</a>: Provides disaster relief, meals, housing, education and more</li><li><a href="https://pinellascf.org/giving/tampa-bay-resiliency-fund/">Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund</a>: A fund run by a coalition of nonprofits that provides disaster relief to residents</li><li><a href="https://cftampabay.org/give_now/rapidresponse/">Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund</a>: A fund run by the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay to address emergency situations.</li><li><a href="https://unitedwaysuncoast.org/donations-together-we-recover/?utm_campaign=558429_Disaster%20Relief&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=dotdigital&amp;utm_content=Donation%20link&amp;dm_i=7K1F,BYVX,5C9KO2,1STSF,1">United Way Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund</a>: Goes toward United Way's disaster response, including volunteer and nonprofit coordination</li><li><a href="https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-milton-relief-fund/">Global Giving Hurricane Milton Relief Fund</a>: The nonprofits fund will go toward immediate aid, such as food, water and medical supplies, then support long-term recovery efforts.</li><li><a href="https://support.savethechildren.org/site/Donation2?df_id=4488&amp;4488.donation=form1">Save the Children Children Emergency Fund</a>: Works with local organizations to provide child-focused supplies to families, including diapers and baby wipes.</li><li><a href="https://donate.teamrubiconusa.org/Donation/tr-24-ws/">Team Rubicon</a>: The veteran-led nonprofit organizes volunteers to assist with clean up.</li></ul>Get helpFEMA aid will likely soon be made available for Milton victims.<ul><li>Once it is, apply online <a href="https://www.disasterassistance.gov/">here</a>, by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or via the FEMA app.</li><li>FEMA <a href="https://www.disasterassistance.gov/help/faqs">can't help with damage covered by your insurance</a>, so file a claim with your insurer first.</li></ul>Mental health support is <a href="https://x.com/FLSERT/status/1840399016208564517">available 24/7</a> by calling or texting 211 or the <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline">Disaster Distress Helpline</a> at 1-800-985-5990.<ul><li>For Pasco residents, the BayCare Mobile Crisis Response Team is available at ​​727-372-4357.</li></ul>Free groceries are available at Feeding Tampa Bay's food distribution events.<ul><li>Check its <a href="https://feedingtampabay.org/findfood">event calendar</a>, which features events in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk and Manatee.</li></ul>Free food at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA9BhXIRN3E/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">Bandit Coffee Co.</a> in St. Pete. <ul><li>The local shop organized a community cookout on Friday, offering free food and encouraging residents to bring perishables to be cooked. </li></ul>Free temporary housing is available for residents displaced by the storms through <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/airbnb-org-offers-temporary-housing-to-people-impacted-by-hurricane-helene/">Airbnb</a>.<ul><li>Request assistance by <a href="https://www.211.org/about-us/your-local-211">contacting your local 211 contact center</a>.</li></ul><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA64JhQSjaU/">Tampa Bay Mutual Aid</a> is open to distribute supplies, offer wellness services and share resources.Small business owners can apply for an emergency loan of up to $50,000 through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.<ul><li>Apply <a href="https://floridacommerce.my.site.com/RebuildFloridaBusinessLoanFund/s/">here</a>.</li></ul>Wifi hotspots are available through Spectrum across the Tampa Bay region. Look for the "SpectrumWiFi" network. Here's a <a href="https://www.spectrum.com/internet/wifi-access-points?opredirect=wifi-hotspots?opredirect=wifi-access-points?opredirect=wifi-hotspots&amp;opredirect=wifi-hotspots">map of hotspot locations</a>.<ul><li>Walmart, Publix and other stores also often have WiFi.</li></ul>A legal aid hotline is available for hurricane survivors who cannot pay for an attorney, per the Tampa Bay Times. The number is (866) 550-2929.Follow local governments on social media for the latest disaster response updates.</div></body>

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Hurricane Milton: How to get help and give help in Tampa Bay

First Helene, now Milton: Tampa Bay has had a rough couple of weeks. Many of us — or our friends and neighbors — need help right now and a long recovery awaits. State of play: Governments, organizations and everyday folks are again working to get relief to storm survivors, while federal emergency officials and local nonprofits are setting up for longer-term aid.

Hurricane Milton: How to get help and give help in Tampa Bay

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