ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A lot of people are still hurting after Hurricane Milton and organizations like Positive Impact are helping to feed those in need.
They have extended their hours to meet the increased demand after the storm.
On top of their regular grocery distribution events every Saturday, they are holding several events throughout the week, even after their building sustained damage.
Hurricane Helene and Milton may be gone, but the damage is still here, several people are left without homes.
Tampa’s solid waste collection suspended: Here’s when it resumes “I’m very fragile, basically, our home was flooded during Helene. Right now, it’s gutted and everything is very overwhelming trying to figure out what to do,” said Beth Cole, a volunteer with Positive Impact.
Many are left without food, so Positive Impact volunteers are working overtime to try and fill the gap.
“I work for the state, and we only get paid once a month, so I don’t get paid until the end of the month and I’m thankful for this service, so I can have some food to replace what I had to throw out because of the storm,” said Angela Daughtry, who went to the food distribution event.
“You have people who might have had food in their fridge that all of a sudden, everything that they owned is gone,” Volunteer Director Heather Bay said. “You know, like whole entire fridges have had to be emptied. With everything, we have seen the need increase dramatically.”
Even through their own damages after the storms, the organization has held several extra events during the week to give a meal to anyone who needs it.
40K Pinellas County homes were damaged by Hurricanes Milton, Helene “We had water damage at our main location on 34th Street South in St. Petersburg and many of the volunteers had damage at their own homes, but that hasn’t stopped our loyal volunteers,” Executive Director Karen Rae said.
“If you love something, it’s not hard work. We pass by to get groceries and my brother, and I sat there for like three or four hours, depends at times. We are here and we sat in our car and said, oh, we can help,” said volunteer, Tej Clark.
The next event for Positive Impact will be on Monday, Oct. 21, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Tangerine Plaza. They are partnering with Operation BBQ to provide hundreds of hot meals.
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