How you can help Treasure Coast organizations aid west Florida after Hurricane Ian
While Hurricane Ian battered Florida's west coast as a Category 4 storm, it traveled into the Treasure Coast with weaker tropical storm winds.
That's why assistance agencies on the Treasure Coast are diverting efforts west to help Floridians who suffered heavier damages from the storm, which left Florida Thursday. Treasure Coast residents who want to help Ian victims can donate to these organizations or contact them about other ways to assist.
Treasure Coast Food Bank
The food bank expects to deliver emergency prepared meals to the west coast as part of its partnership with food banks there.
Prepping of the food resumes Friday at the food bank’s kitchen, 3051 Industrial 25th St., Fort Pierce, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Also Friday, volunteers will be building emergency food boxes starting at 9 a.m. at the food bank's warehouse, 401 Angle Road, Fort Pierce.
To find out how you can help the food bank help people across the state, visit stophunger.org
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties sent Capt. Nathan Jones, its incident command team and its mobile kitchen canteen to areas hardest hit by Ian, the organization said Thursday.
More: Salvation Army deploys captain to west coast
Donations are accepted for the Salvation Army. Administrative fees are never taken out of disaster relief donations, said Kim Johnson, the agency's director of development. Donations can be made in several ways:
Mail: Mail checks to The Salvation Army, P.O. BOX 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301. Designate Disaster Relief for Hurricane Ian on all checks.
Online: helpsalvationarmy.org
Phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY
Text-To-Donate: Text STORM to 51555 to make a donation to help disaster relief efforts.
American Red Cross
Prior to the storm's arrival, the American Red Cross had 500 trained staff fanned out across Florida capable of helping up to 60,000 people. It mobilized truckloads of supplies to help with the post-storm phase.
To help people affected by Hurricane Ian:
Visit: redcross.org
Call: 1-800-RED CROSS
Text: Text the word IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Volunteer: Become a Red Cross volunteer. Review the most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday.
Volunteer Florida
Other opportunities to help, including as a volunteer, can be found through the Volunteer Florida Foundation, which manages the Florida Disaster Fund.
Visit: Volunteerflorida.org
Ocean Breeze Resort
Ocean Breeze Resort is collecting donations such as nonperishable foods, water, toiletries, cleaning products and pet food, said Neil Gulkis, a spokesperson for Sun Communities.
The donations are being sent to residents and workers of its sister property in Fort Myers owned by parent company Sun Communities, a Michigan-based real estate company, Gulkis said.
The resort at 3000 Northeast Indian River Drive in Jensen Beach, is accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Wednesday.
Residents of the Ocean Breeze Resort can drop off donations at its clubhouse and nonresidents can drop off items at the registration office.
Everything is being shipped Thursday morning.
Tail-Gators Brews & Grill
Tail-Gators Brews & Grill is collecting donations for hurricane survivors in Southwest Florida.
Danielle Fisher, the owner of Tail-Gators and her son Chad Fisher said they're collecting nonperishable foods, water, toiletries, diapers, baby formula, heavy duty trash bags, tarps and tents.
The restaurant at 464 SW Port St Lucie Blvd. in Port St. Lucie, is taking donations from Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Chad Fisher plans to transport the items to Fort Myers Saturday morning working with Cajun Navy, a citizen-led disaster relief group.
Islamorada Brewery & Distillery
The brewery's Fort Pierce location, 3200 St. Lucie Blvd., is serving as a dropoff location for supplies. They are requesting garbage bags, cleaning supplies such as brushes and sponges, peroxide or anti-mold products, bleach, gloves (both surgical and yard/utility), plastic tubs, gas cans, bungee cords, rakes, yard tools, tarps, button cap roof nails, chain saws, blowers, generators, socks, bottled water, cannisters of Damp Rid, and food items such as canned tuna, peanut butter, and jellies.
Perfect Stix
The company is collecting Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4776 Old Dixie Highway, Vero Beach. It is sending the donations to the nonprofit group Captains for Clean Water.
They are collecting non-perishable food, protein drinks, granola bars, baby wipes, electrolyte water coolers, diapers, baby formula, pacifiers, pet food and supplies, sunblock, personal hygiene products, bug spray, air mattresses, tarps, tools, working gloves, cleaning supplies, bleach, buckets, Clorox wipes, heavy duty trash bags, gasoline containers, generators, saws, chainsaws, rope, charcoal, shovels, tire repair kits, rubber boots, respirator masks, and N95 masks.
Here on the Treasure Coast: Schools, government offices, activities remain closed, canceled after Hurricane Ian impact
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Lamaur Stancil is the Treasure Coast regional economy reporter covering business and industries, including retail, tourism and hospitality. Contact him at 321-987-7179 or lamaur.stancil@tcpalm.com and follow him at Lamaur Stancil on Facebook and @TCPalmLStancil on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Hurricane Ian: Treasure Coast agencies sending help to west Florida
