Here’s How You Can Help Those Impacted By Hurricane Ian
Our hearts are with those affected by Hurricane Ian.
Photo Credit: John Raoux AP
We all want to help those impacted by Hurricane Ian. 💔
Florida just experienced one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the state. The damage left by the record-breaking storm surge and powerful winds is truly devastating. Our hearts are breaking for all those affected. We truly want to help survivors in whatever way we can and we know Hip2Save readers do, too!
That’s why we made a list of ways you can aid those impacted by Hurricane Ian. From cash donations to volunteering, we hope this list provides you with effective ways to help those in need.
Here are several ways to help survivors of Hurricane Ian:
1. Make a monetary donation.
Photo Credit: Wilfredo Lee AP
One of the fastest and most effective ways to help is to make a monetary donation. These organizations could use your help:
- The American Red Cross is taking donations online, by phone, and through your Amazon Alexa device.
- The Salvation Army is taking donations online, via phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769), or you can Text STORM to 51555.
- The Florida Disaster Fund website makes it easy to make a donation that will go towards hurricane relief.
- Feeding Florida is part of the organization Feeding America and right now they are taking monetary or food bank donations.
- CARE, the global humanitarian organization, has partnered with local organizations to give cash assistance to vulnerable families.
- Convoy of Hope was recommended by Hip2Save reader, Jeanna, and they are currently taking monetary donations to create and deliver relief supply kits.
- Catholic Charities is accepting donations to support the response teams who are gathering food, water, and other resources for those in need.
- World Central Kitchen could use your support to serve thousands of meals to Floridians impacted by the hurricane.
- Save the Children is accepting donations to help deliver aid like water, hygiene kits, diapers, and other life-saving supplies.
- Project HOPE is using donations to send medical supplies, hygiene kits, food, clean water, and support for clinics.
- Eight Days of Hope comes recommended by Hip2Save reader, Alice, and they are responding to Hurricane Ian with aid and rebuilding efforts.
- 211 Tampa Bay Cares is a community organization providing many resources to those directly affected by Hurricane Ian.
- Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that is on the ground in Florida helping with cleanup and clearing debris.
- Trucks With Room To Spare is sending volunteer truckers with trucks of supplies to those in need and they can use your support to make it happen.
- Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund is taking donations to assist the most vulnerable residents impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Be wary of scams.
Unfortunately, there will be parties looking to take advantage of the crisis. The Federal Trade Commission suggests you research an organization before making a donation. You can do so using sites like Charity Navigator, Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, and Charity Watch.
Some helpful tips when donating are to avoid making cash donations, don’t talk to pushy phone solicitors, and be skeptical of any “pop-up” charity organizations and GoFundMe pages.
2. Give blood.
In the wake of the hurricane, there is an urgent need for blood donors. The American Red Cross is one of the most well-known ways to give blood in an emergency and they are asking for donations.
Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting , or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Another organization is OneBlood. They service 250 hospitals in Florida and the South and are currently asking for blood donations.
3. Volunteer your time.
Aid Hurricane Ian survivors by volunteering with an organization providing relief. Here are a few that are looking for volunteers:
- The Red Cross is looking for volunteers for a variety of positions like blood transportation specialists, disaster action team members, shelter services, and more.
- FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency that can help you find where to donate or volunteer.
- Metropolitan Ministries is urgently looking for Tampa Bay area volunteers to help prepare meals, sort food boxes, and provide other relief services.
- World Central Kitchen is also taking volunteers to help with meal preparation and hurricane aid.
- Volunteer Florida will pair you with volunteer opportunities specifically benefiting Hurricane Ian survivors.
- Samaritan’s Purse was recommended by Hip2Save reader, Linda, as this international crisis relief group is currently recruiting volunteers (and taking monetary donations).
- Trucks With Room to Spare could use volunteer truckers to help deliver goods to those in need.
4. Donate goods.
Monetary donations are usually the best way to help, but there is a place for in-kind donations too. Many organizations right now are having logistics issues or are unable to pick up donations. Before donating, confirm with the organization that they have a need for the items you intend to drop off. Types of places that can really benefit from donations are animal shelters, churches, and food banks.
Below are a few places that are in need of in-kind donations related to Hurricane Ian:
- Big Dog Ranch is a Florida no-kill animal shelter that has put out a call for donations like wet or dry dog and cat food, blankets, and crates that they will use and give to other shelters in need.
- Saint Zita Disaster Relief & Recovery has issued a wishlist of items including shovels, goggles, diapers, feminine products, toothbrushes, and nonperishable food.
- Feeding America is accepting food donations at food banks in Florida and near you.
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is accepting nonperishable food at their dropoff locations.
5. Keep the conversation going.
Hurricane clean-up efforts continue long after the news stories stop. So do the feelings of surviving a hurricane. That’s why one of the best things you can do for Hurricane Ian victims is to continue to ask how they are doing and offer your help when able. As many of us begin to celebrate the holidays, it’s important to remember that hurricane survivors will still be repairing their communities – and their hearts.
When you find an organization that you feel does honorable relief work, spread the news and tell your friends and family about it too. Hopefully, this will keep relief efforts going strong.
Additionally, if you know a hurricane survivor, make sure they are aware of organizations that can provide quick cash relief or meals, like CARE or the Metropolitan Ministries. If they need help with home cleanup, Hip2Save reader, Amy, tipped us off that Crisis Cleanup has a Home Cleanup Hotline. Survivors can call about free help with mold mitigation, removing debris, and tarping roofs. Call them toll-free at 800-451-1954 or locally at 787-545-7058.
Last, but not least, the organization 211 Tampa Bay Cares offers tons of resources to hurricane survivors including pharmacy and mental health resources.
I live here in Naples give to St. Matthew’s House we have 2 Shelters which have been full to help everyone impacted . Any monetary donations will be greatly appreciated. Or just clothes and supplies thank you
They said on the news not to donate clothes or items just money or labor. I imagine the people there would need everything.
Thank you for this post, Hip2Save. This post was the nudge I needed to donate.
You’re SO very welcome! 🥰
Thank you for the reminder, donating
How sweet. You’re welcome, Carrie! 🤗Thank YOU for donating.🥰
Christ in Action is also accepting donations. 100% of all donations go to disaster relief. Nothing goes to administration, etc. You can check them out at Christinaction.com
My state has been devastated. Thank you for this post.
You’re welcome, Tricia. Our thoughts are with you and your community. ❤️
Thank you for posting. I live almost an hour from the coast in Florida and my entire house was completely flooded due to all of the rain. I’ve seen disasters like this on TV but never imagined going through it myself as a single mom. We have no power or water and my kids and I spent all day throwing away things now that the water has gone down and we will have months and months of cleanup and rebuilding. Our lives changed forever overnight! Please keep praying for all of us because this storm has been life altering for millions of people. Thank you for listening!
You’re welcome, Ali. We’re SO sorry to hear about this. ❤️ You are certainly in our thoughts and prayers. 💞
Hi. I was flooded in Hurricane Harvey in Texas. It’s an awful experience to go through….and it goes on for a very long time. @Hip2Save, please consider adding Cajun Navy to your list. They are a 100% citizen-led volunteer organization. They helped my community lonnnnng before any government agency came around. Thanks. https://cajunrelief.org/donations/donate-cajun-navy-foundation/
Thanks so much for the helpful suggestion! 🤗
this is all well and good but how do the people impacted get help
Hi Megan! Those that have been impacted can fill out the survey above, in the bottom of the post. 💞
Thank you for your generosity Hip 2 Save Community. I live in Fort Myers, not too far from Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel. My family took a hit, but we are in clean up mode. There are so many families here in need right now, every little bit helps, including prayer.
You’re so welcome, Sherry. 💞 Thinking of you and everyone in your area.
Thank you for thinking of us affected and spurring people to open their hearts. I live in southern Sarasota county. What you see on the news is just a portion of what we endure. 5 years ago during Irma I was without power for two weeks, but my home wasn’t affected like this time. I am still without power and water because I use a well. My well equipment broke along with pipes so even when power comes on I still need to find water to flush with. Charging a cell phone in your running car uses gas that can’t be found at any location in your area. Cell phone coverage is still spotty and emergency texts include web links to read, but don’t help with no access, including on your phone. Our roads are mazes of road closures from flooding, downed trees, power lines, and collapsed roadways. I’m surprised internet stayed long enough to post this. It’s not losing power for day after day, it’s Florida heat with a fan that uses 6 D batteries, and a light using another 4 D with no way to get more. Mail delivery had to stop for safety, so anything ordered by other people are coming mid October. I hope power comes back before then. I just ask people think of every day conveniences like showers, flushing toilets, roofs that don’t leak after enduring hours and hours of brutal winds that shook the house and felt like the roof was coming off. Oh, and a tree in your house.
Thank you for taking the time to share about your current situation, Sue! We are thinking of you and would like to help! ❤️ If you haven’t done so already, please fill out the survey at the bottom of the post. Hoping that your power gets restored soon! 🤞💕
Thank you. I don’t have the app and though I have some major damage, my house is still standing without a flood inside. I count myself blessed for that and hope my sacrifice, though low income and disabled helps those who lost their homes completely.
You’re welcome. We’ll continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers, Sue! Sending you a BIG hug! 💓