The Tampa Bay area is stepping up. It seems like every social media scroll this week is full of businesses offering free meals, donation sites, and volunteer opportunities to help Hurricane Helene victims.
Before we share a few of the latest Good Samaritans in our area, let’s start off with some advice for FEMA applicants:
- If your home was damaged, you can apply for FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. That’s how the federal government gets direct financial aid to disaster victims.
- FEMA also partners with the US Small Business Administration to offer low-interest loans to businesses. Pro tip: The SBA also offers help for non-business owners who sustained property damage.
- When applying for financial assistance, certain documentation is required, including proof of citizenship, residency, and evidence of damage (think: photos and videos).
- This documentation can be submitted online or at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. Across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, the only center is in Riverview’s Hillsborough Community College at the Regent (6437 Watson Rd.).
- Another pro tip: You don’t have to be a homeowner to apply for FEMA assistance. Eligible renters could get reimbursements for damaged property, paid temporary living arrangements, and grants for bills + utilities.
- For more help with your application, you can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
More community resources
We already shared a bunch of ways to help your neighbors impacted by Helene, but the support from the community continues to pour in.
Here are some more ways you can help:
- Gulfport’s Let It Be Ice Cream is raising money after being “destroyed and completely flooded out.” The parlor’s GoFundMe description reads, “we lost everything inside.”
- Tampa Bay-based nonprofit Daystar Life Center is looking for donations and volunteers at various St. Pete locations. At the top of the list? Bug spray, meals, hygiene products, and plastic totes.
- Pinellas County has opened donation sites. Officials are looking for things like diapers for babies and adults, baby formula, work gloves, hand tools, flashlights, batteries, and cleaning supplies.
- There are several sites accepting kids clothing donations across TBAY, including South Tampa’s Butter Bug Boutique and Clothes to Kids in Clearwater.
- Want to volunteer? Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful has a sign up form. Need a volunteer? The same form works for that too. KTBB is prioritizing the elderly and vulnerable as cleanup continues.
- The Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline is open and ready for your calls. Dial 844-965-1386 to connect with local volunteers.
- Doors are open at 3 Daughters Brewing for donations, and for those seeking comfort, supplies, relief, or support from the community.
- Tampa Bay’s 1828 Goods is selling special edition hats, t-shirts, and water bottles, with all profits going toward Helene victims.
- Nonprofit conservation group Indian Rocks Beach Trash Tribe has an Amazon wishlist with items listed that will benefit the ongoing relief efforts along the Pinellas barrier islands.
- In South Tampa, the boutique Procure is collecting donations, located at 2832 S. MacDill Ave. That’s where you can bring paper towels, wipes, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, trash bags, hygiene products, and any other relevant donation through the end of October.
- In the same area, Laurel and Jack (4129 S. MacDill Ave.) is operating as a donation and pickup site for household items, clothing, and small furniture. Sorting and delivery volunteers are also wanted.
To add to this list, please send us us any additional resources, businesses, or GoFundMe fundraisers you’ve seen in the community.
