Pasco County giving out free food, water to those impacted by Helene

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Pasco County is wrapping its arms around the community.

Many people who work for the county spent their Saturday handing out essentials to people who lost so much during Helene.

On Saturday, the county held two food and water distribution sites and gave out enough food to families for 72 hours.

Helene ransacked many areas in the county, like Hudson, Hudson Beach, Port Richey, and the Marine Parkway in New Port Richey.

“This last year we had the other hurricane that hit, that flooded the same homes that got flooded this time. People recover and then they’re right back to where they were,” said Michael Smith, the Construction Supervisor for Pasco County Parks and Rec and Natural Resources.

“We live just a couple of miles away in Beacon Woods and there’s quite a bit of damage in there,” resident Christine Hughes said.

Those out helping their neighbors said during times like these, it’s all about being there for the community.

“The coast is devastated, and people have lost their homes, so we’re here to try and assist in any way we can,” Smith said.

At both locations, several cars came through to pick up the free meals.

“We heard it on the news this morning and we immediately went and said let’s get in the car and go see if we can get something to help replenish. It means a lot, it’s so kind,” Hughes said.

Helene brought flooding, wind, and power outages.

“I’ve got three coolers, freezers, and everything, I’m going to have to throw out probably most everything. So, there goes a couple thousand dollars worth of food,” said Jay Hendry.

Even though the storm is done, the aftermath is everywhere you look.

“This is one of a century storm here, it’s like the no-name storm, came in and pushed a lot of water up,” Smith said.

On top of the distribution sites in the parking lots of Hudson Library and J. Ben Harrill Recreation Center, the county took to the streets.

“We’re delivering it to five different locations, up and down the coast, all the way up to West Port. Then, from West Port to the south we have another group down at J. Ben Harrill that are delivering this way, that way,” Smith said.

Everyone is leaning on each other to try and pick up the pieces Helene left behind.

“Stay strong, you know, as long as you don’t lose your life. Possessions are tough to lose, but as long as you keep your life. And heed to the warnings,” said Smith.

Officials said if the need is there, they will continue the distributions on Sunday at the same locations.

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