“For Tampa Bay, Helene was the worst storm in a century.” The Tampa Bay Times headline helps capture the gravity of the hurricane’s impact on our area.
As relief efforts continue across TBAY, we’re looking at ways to help those worst-impacted by Helene. But before we begin, Hillsborough and Pinellas County residents can now apply for financial assistance from FEMA. Make sure to take photos of damage to help your claim.
Donate + volunteer
- Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay has been repairing homes and revitalizing communities for more than 20 years. With an estimated 10,000 homes flooded in St. Pete alone, according to Pinellas officials, the nonprofit is looking for volunteers to help rebuild our community.
- Feeding Tampa Bay serves an enormous nine-county area, and is always looking for help. You can donate money to the organization, or bring food to one of its resource centers. FTB also has an Emergency Response Volunteer Team which serves meals to the community in times of need.
- Donations for Metropolitan Ministries will go toward water, food, shelter, and other supplies following the storm. 211 Tampa Bay Cares provides folks with food, mental health care, support for veterans, and housing needs.
- Cleaning supplies, safety gear, and monetary donations are also being collected by Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside’s various community centers.
St. Pete resources
- You’ve still got some time to prepare debris for removal outside your home. Starting Monday, Oct. 7, crews will begin to travel around the city to pick up items damaged by the storm. Note: Do not place materials in bags, and instead separate them into their respective groups, including vegetative waste, electronics, and fencing.
- Need to do laundry? Free-to-use machines are available at the Easy Kleen Laundromat (2970 54th Ave. S.) from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and also for 24 hours a day at Allendale United Methodist Church (3803 Haines Rd. N.). More locations are expected to open soon.
- The city is also offering no-cost public transport on Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority vehicles through Monday, Oct. 14. There are various routes around the Burg.
Tampa resources
- The City of Tampa is already collecting storm waste, asking for residents to place vegetative waste outside city containers, and either in a pile or in yard waste paper bags. But there’s no need to rush — the official post-Helene collection begins Monday, Oct. 7.
- The McKay Bay Scalehouse (112 S. 34th St.) is extending its hours, and will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week, and 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the weekend. That’s where residents can drop off debris and waste. Reminder: You must bring proof of residency like a driver’s license or other government-issued ID to use the facility.
- Need more help from city officials? The full list of the Cigar City’s emergency contact numbers includes flooding assistance, fire rescue, and sewage help.
- Tampa is also offering guidance for businesses impacted by the storm, including how to get help from various state agencies.
Other community resources
Crises can also bring about reminders of the love and compassion we share for our community. It’s not only the nonprofit organizations stepping up to help rebuild Tampa Bay after Helene; myriad shops, restaurants, neighbors, volunteers, friends, family, and all manner of businesses are doing their part.
Here’s a few of them:
- Gulfport was one of the worst-hit areas of Tampa Bay. The city is asking for donations at the Gulfport Senior Center (5501 27th Ave. S.), including non-perishable food, first aid kits, cleaning supplies, water, and ice.
- There are at least six Tampa-based restaurants handing out meals throughout the week, including Willa’s, Oak and Ola, Buddy Brew, and Supernatural Food and Wine. Find out where they’ll be until Friday, Oct. 4.
- St. Pete’s Shandy Style Boutique is giving away free clothing at 4336 4th St. N. through Sunday, Oct. 6, and is also offering $25 gift cards for those able to donate gently worn clothing.
- Several neighborhoods have turned to GoFundMe to raise money for their local communities. We recommend checking your area’s Facebook page to find your local equivalent, but here’s one we found for Shore Acres, one in Gulfport, and another in South Tampa.
If you have any other questions related to Hurricane Helene relief, please reach out to us, and we’ll do our best to provide you with the information you need.
