How Can You Help Disaster-Affected Communities?

When a disaster strikes that affects the lives of countless people, it is natural that we might pause and recognize just how lucky we are. However, to have the ability to say, I am grateful and I will express my gratitude by helping others, is the greatest of all qualities. Americans are known to roll up their sleeves and work side by side, oftentimes not even thinking of their own safety. Some of us can volunteer and others can send their personal tithe funds to where they are most needed.

We are now starting to see all the damage from Ian. An unbelievable amount of people are displaced and have lost everything. The total death count from Ian is at 80 today, according to some media outlets; and from Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico, the death toll is 16. These hurricanes have left people feeling disheartened and uneasy. The best way to shake off this feeling of helplessness is to help someone else.

The areas hit the hardest by the storm were Florida, specifically Fort Myers Beach and surrounding areas, as well as Cuba and parts of South Carolina. Residents of Puerto Rico are still recovering after Hurricane Fiona caused an island-wide blackout on Sept. 18 (According to PowerOutage.us, more than 300,000 residents are still without power).

GrantWatch‘s staff is working hard to locate all areas of funding for the communities and victims of these hurricanes and other natural disasters. Unfortunately, the hurricane season is not over yet. We know the road ahead will be long, and we are doing what we do best — finding and posting grants. Preparation is very important, and we are looking for those grants as well. Whether it’s a hurricane, fire, tornado, or flood, we want to make sure the resources are available to ensure safety.

Below, we are providing some opportunities for anyone that wants to help disaster-affected communities. We will continue to update this list regularly.

If you want to help, there are many avenues for you to get involved. Whether you volunteer your time directly or choose to donate money or items, help is encouraged and appreciated.

How Can You Help?

• Red Cross: Donate through the Red Cross by contacting the organization at 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or visiting their website.

• Salvation Army: To donate, go to give.helpsalvationarmy.org.

• Metropolitan Ministries: Chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen team aim to prepare 15,000 hot meals and 10,000 cold meals every day as needed. To help, sign up to volunteer at metromin.org. You can also go there to find out how to donate nonperishable food items and bottled water or donate to the Hurricane Relief Fund.

• Core: CORE is coordinating with local partners and government to support the communities in Florida most impacted by Hurricane Ian. To donate, go to donate.coreresponse.org.

• Florida Disaster Fund: You can donate at volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf. You can also text DISASTER to 20222 or mail a check to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, at 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, 32308.

• American Humane: The American Humane Rescue team is in Florida conducting water search and rescue operations for animals in need. To donate, visit this webpage.

• Global Giving: is using donations to help provide food, water, shelter, hygiene products, and fuel to those impacted, as well as to provide long-term support to communities in Cuba, Florida, and other areas impacted by Hurricane Ian.

• Direct Relief: Donations to Direct Relief will go beyond Florida. The group provides medical aid for Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Cuba. This includes essential medications such as antibiotics, wound care, chronic disease medications, and more. The group is also providing assistance to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Fiona.