How to Give and Get Help After Hurricane Helene
Image: Sarasota County Government
As our region begins recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene, we've put together a list of local, state and national organizations offering help if you need it. We've also included ways to help our community. We’ll keep this list updated as we learn more.
Sarasota County Disaster Recovery Center
Representatives from FEMA and the SBA (Small Business Administration) will be available to assist residents and business owners with recovery efforts.
To find other center locations go to www.fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a zip code to 43362. All centers are accessible to people with
disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.
Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Sarasota Christian Church, 2923 Ashton Road, in Sarasota.
Pop Up Recovery Center in Rubonia, Manatee
Manatee County, FEMA, the Red Cross and more have organized a recovery center on the corner of 72nd Street East and Bayshore Road in Rubonia. Water, tarps, food, paper towels, soap, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided, daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.
Manatee County Points of Distribution
Kingfish Boat Ramp: 752 Manatee Ave., Holmes Beach
GT Bray Park: 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton
Hurricane Relief Donations for Babies
The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc. is on the front lines, providing crucial support to pregnant women, new families and their babies. Make a difference by donating diapers, wipes, baby formula, gift cards and new & lightly used children's clothing.
Drop off Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc., 1750 17th St. Building A, Sarasota, (941) 373-7070. Make an online gift here.ROCKtoberfest Fundraiser
iHeart Radio and Benderson Development are joining forces with Suncoast Charities for Children for a free night of music and support for locals impacted by Hurricane Helene as seven area rock bands jam out at seven locations around the UTC District. QR codes will be available at all seven locations where guests can make online donations, and a large donation box will also be at The Green at the iHeart Media tent. All gifts will assist in funding vital services for individuals impacted by the hurricane within the Sarasota/Bradenton area. The bands performing are One Eyed Jack's, Vitamin G, Ellipsis Band, Jane Bond Band, JJ & the Bad Habits, The Meeps and Nobody's Fool. For more information, click here
Saturday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 9 p.m., University Town Center, 210 N. Cattlemen Road, Sarasota.
Hurricane Relief Donation Matching for the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC)
HOPE Florida
The Hope Line can be reached at 1-833-GET-HOPE and is operating 24 hours a day for the next two weeks. Talk with live navigators who can connect callers to local resources, including temporary trailer housing so residents can live on-site while their home is repaired.
Rapid Response Fund for Hospitality Workers
Individuals may receive up to $1,000, and families may be eligible for up to $1,200, thanks to a partnership between the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Southern Smoke Foundation–a nonprofit founded and led by current and past food and beverage workers dedicated to creating a meaningful safety net of support that doesn’t exist for most people in the hospitality industry. Click here to apply. Donors interested in contributing to the fund can do so by clicking here.
Manatee Community Foundation Donations
Clothing Drive
Through Sunday, Oct. 6, donate everyday clothes, children's clothes, linens, towels and new socks and underwear at Robert Toale Celebration of Life Center.
Drop off from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 7454 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
G.T. Bray Recreation Center
Town of Longboat Key Comfort Stations
- 546 Bay Isles Road (Paradise Center), from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- 563 Bay Isles Road (All Angels Episcopal Church), from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Closed Friday and Saturday)
- 567 Bay Isles Road (Temple Beach Israel), from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- 6400 Gulf of Mexico Drive (Christ Church), from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cleaning Supply Drive for Siesta Key
Anna Maria Island Volunteer and Help
Volunteers are invited to help with recovery efforts.
Stop by The Center of Anna Maria Island 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria Island, Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you need volunteer help, call (941) 778-1908.
Hurricane Helene Community Support Group Donation Points
Drop food, clothes, cleaning supplies, formula, diapers, batteries, etc., at the following locations in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Baby items are in high demand.
Raffurty's Bar & GrillDisaster Relief Donation Drop Off and Pick Up for Bradenton Beach
Volunteer Opportunities
Community Foundation of Sarasota Season of Sharing Fundraiser
FPL Outage Relief Site
Kolucan Mexican Bar and Grill
The restaurant will be offering meals to those displaced by Hurricane Helene from 12-4 p.m. through next Saturday, Oct. 5. Pick up is in The Frida Lounge. 6644 Gateway Ave., in Gulf Gate, Sarasota, (941) 921-3133.
U-Haul Co. of Western Florida
U-Haul is offering one month of free self-storage or U-Box portable container usage to those needing a dry and secure space to keep their belongings during the storm clean-up. Participating store locations include Bradenton, North Port, Palmetto and Sarasota. Call (941) 359-2413.
American Red Cross
Temporary housing is available at First Baptist Church of Bradenton at 1306 Manatee Ave. W. The Red Cross is the county's largest emergency response organization. Its site includes a missing person registry and a variety of disaster preparation and response materials. Click here for more or call (800) 733-2767.
Florida Rotary
Sign up here to submit a needs form; or here to volunteer to help or donate.
All Faiths Food Bank
Free food pickup locations are at multiple public Sarasota County schools throughout October.
Pick-up points are:
- Booker Middle School, Monday, Oct. 7 and 21, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; 2250 Myrtle St., Sarasota.
- Fruitville Elementary School, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; 601 Honore Ave., Sarasota.
- Venice Middle School, Thursday, Oct. 10, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; 1 Ram Way, Venice.
- Lamarque Elementary School, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 5:30 to 7 p.m.; 3415 Lamarque Ave., North Port.
- Atwater Elementary School, Thursday, Oct. 24, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; 4701 Huntsville Ave., North Port.
- Glenallen Elementary School, Thursday, Oct. 17, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; 1750 Glenallen Blvd., North Port.
If you or someone you know needs food, water or emergency supplies, please continue to check All Faiths Food Bank's website and social media platforms, or call (941) 379-6333 for the most up-to-date information on distributions.
United Way's 211
Calling 211 can connect you with a wide array of help, including school closures, food and nutrition programs, financial aid, disaster relief and much more, including referrals to local social services.
Suncoast Blood Bank
Blood and platelet donors are needed. If you’re eligible, click here to find donation opportunities near you or call (866) 972-5663.
Anna Maria Island Hurricane Helene Relief
This Facebook group is dedicated to coordinating relief efforts for the Anna Maria Island community in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Its goal is to bring neighbors together, share resources and rebuild the island. Click here to join.
FEMA
Starting Tuesday, Oct. 1, the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is open daily at Lakewood Ranch Library for those impacted by hurricanes Debby and Helene, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Representatives will be answering questions about disaster recovery, give referrals and provide general information on applications and more. FEMA moved resources into Florida on Monday in anticipation of Hurricane Helene. Visit FEMA.gov or visit the FEMA state and local resources page for more information.
Homeowners and renters impacted may be eligible for FEMA clean and sanitize one-time payments of $300 or serious needs assistance of $750, to help pay for food, water, baby formula and emergency supplies. To apply, visit disasterassistance.gov.
Florida Blue/New Directions Behavioral Health Bilingual Emotional Support
The stress and anxiety of a hurricane can sometimes be overwhelming. Florida Blue teamed with New Directions Behavioral Health to offer a toll-free 24/7 bilingual emotional support helpline at (833) 848-1764 for anyone in Florida experiencing feelings of stress, anxiety, trauma, and grief and in need of immediate emotional support. Callers may also receive referrals to other sources of mental health support and community resources to help them with emergency services.
Crisis Cleanup
If you need help cleaning up damage from Hurricane Helene, call Crisis Cleanup's hotline at (844) 965-1386 to ask for help. The service will connect you with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and faith communities who may be able to assist with muck-outs, trees, tarps and more.
Legal Aid of Manasota
Legal Aid of Manasota offers free civil legal aid to the most vulnerable members of the community, including FEMA appeals, disaster benefits such as food and unemployment), landlord/tenant disputes, foreclosure issues and more. Click here to for more information.
Business Damage Assessment Survey
Florida Commerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Helene. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by Hurricane Helene; responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses. Go to FloridaDisaster.biz
State Information Assistance Line
The Florida Division of Emergency Management State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is active. Residents needing resources before and after Hurricane Helene can call (800) 342-3557. There are English, Spanish and Creole speakers available to answer questions. Click here for more information.
Free Xfinity Hotspots
The free Xfinity WiFi hotspot network is open for Sarasota County residents to help residents and emergency personnel stay connected. To learn more, click here.
Sarasota County Government
Call 311 for county alerts and the most up-to-date information on recovery efforts.
Manatee County Government
If you were severely affected by Hurricane Helene, the county asks that you complete its "Unmet Needs" survey. Click here to do so.
