Hurricane Milton slammed into Florida’s west coast Wednesday night, bringing severe tornadoes and winds over 100 miles per hour that destroyed homes and sent storm surge into the streets. The deadly storm had fluctuated in force, at one point rapidly intensifying to Category 5 status as it churned up water over the Gulf of Mexico before making landfall in Sarasota County as a Category 3. This less than two weeks after the state was hit by Category 4 Helene. Below is a list of organizations working to help those affected by the storm.
Note: This article will be continually updated as we learn of additional organizations providing relief.
Feeding Tampa Bay
This nonprofit focuses on combating food insecurity across Tampa Bay and serves millions of meals annually, including after disasters. To help its efforts to feed the community in the aftermath of Milton, visit this page.
Community Foundation Tampa Bay
Serving Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus Counties, this organization connects its nonprofit partners with economic resources to provide community relief. To view critical supplies needed in the aftermath of the hurricanes or to support the Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund, click here.
Volunteer Florida
The state-run agency providing relief after disasters, Volunteer Florida works with the Florida Division of Emergency Management to operate an emergency hotline (1-800-342-3557) and deploy volunteers to help those in crisis. Those interested in volunteering, donating money, or donating supplies can learn more on its website.
American Red Cross South Florida Region
As this chapter of the national organization furthers its Helene recovery efforts and begins those for Milton, monetary donations to support on-the-ground relief can be made here.
United Way of South Sarasota County
This organization’s long-term-recovery group assesses the needs of community members to provide relief after disasters. To learn more about the program, visit this page. Donations to the organization’s Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund can be made here.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Donations to this organization’s Rapid Response Fund help support local nonprofits in the aftermath of Milton and local food and beverage workers after Helene. To learn more about the program or to donate, visit the website here.
Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay
This organization works to rebuild homes in the aftermath of hurricanes. Monetary contributions to support efforts to repair homes of those on fixed incomes affected by storms like Milton can be made on this website.
Justice Over Everything
The Tampa-based social justice center collects and distributes supplies after disasters. To donate to the ongoing hurricane relief efforts, click here.
First Contact
This organization, formerly known as 211 Tampa Bay Cares, connects community members with local and state emergency management to clean up after hurricanes. To report a need for damage assistance, call the emergency hotline (844-965-1386), and to learn more about volunteer opportunities or donations, visit the First Contact website.
Metropolitan Ministries
With a specific focus on helping homeless individuals in the Tampa metropolitan area, this organization is seeking monetary donations to continue to provide shelter and food for those affected by hurricanes. Donations can be made here.
Pinellas Community Foundation
This organization’s Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund organizes and distributes funds to local nonprofits providing storm relief after Helene and Milton. To learn more about the program and its partners or to make a donation, click here.
Indian Rocks Beach Trash Tribe
In the wake of Helene and in anticipation of damage from Milton, this marine conservation nonprofit has shifted its focus to distribute essential supplies to community members recovering from storm damage. Visit the Largo-based organization’s Facebook page to learn more about its work and to stay up-to-date on needed supplies and donations.
Pinellas Education Foundation
This organization, which advocates for improvements for teachers and students in public schools across Pinellas County, is seeking donations to rebuild damaged schools and provide school supplies in the wake of Helene and Milton. To learn more or to donate, visit its website here.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
This food bank is working overtime to ensure that individuals affected by Milton have ongoing access to food. Monetary donations, which can be made here, help support disaster relief boxes, food distribution, and emergency food pantries across Florida.
Mercy Chefs
The Virginia-based nonprofit is preparing to be on the ground in Florida serving meals and helping residents, volunteers, and first responders after the storm. To donate or volunteer for Milton relief efforts, visit the organization’s website here.
Feeding Florida
Working with nine major food banks across the state, this organization triples their distribution efforts in times of disaster relief. To monetarily donate to this mission, visit Feeding Florida’s website here.
Shuckin’ Good Cause
This nonprofit, started by a restaurant group in Bradenton, provides financial assistance to Manatee County hospitality workers in the aftermath of disasters. To learn more about the organization, visit this page, and to make a donation, click here.
Save the Children
This nonprofit is distributing supplies, including hygiene kits, diapers, and baby wipes, to families in the storm’s path. The organization is also preparing to help repair childcare centers and schools damaged by the storm. To monetarily contribute to these efforts, visit the Children’s Emergency Fund here.
The Center of Anna Maria Island
This nonprofit community center’s fund supports hospitality workers affected by Milton on islands on Florida’s west coast. These communities heavily rely on tourism, and hurricanes like Milton can significantly affect this industry. To donate to help hospitality workers in this area, visit the website here.
If you know of other organizations providing relief, please let us know at editorial@gardenandgun.com.
To learn more about a charity before donating, consult sites such as Charity Watch, GuideStar, or Charity Navigator.
See a list of organizations helping in the wake of Hurricane Helene
