How to Give and Get Help After Hurricane Milton
Image: Anand Pallegar
As our region continues recovery efforts after Hurricane Milton, 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 daily as we learn of more relief opportunities.
Housing Grants for Victims of Hurricane Debby
The RASM Realtors Charitable Foundation (RRCF) has received a $300,000 grant from the National Association of REALTORS® Relief Foundation (RRF) to assist victims of Hurricane Debby. The grant provides up to $2,000 per applicant to help with housing costs, such as mortgage or rent, for those whose primary residences were damaged or who were displaced due to Hurricane Debby. The application deadline is Dec. 1.
To apply, visit www.MyRASM.com/disasterrelief, email [email protected] or call 941-952-3400.
FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance
A Disaster Survivor Assistance registration event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 25-27, at the Venice Community Center, Room E. This event will assist residents with FEMA registration for both Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
D-SNAP Location
The Department of Children and Families has announced Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) locations for Charlotte, Franklin, Hardee, Hernando and Sarasota counties. D-SNAP provides food assistance for Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Individuals who reside in Charlotte and Sarasota counties who pre-registered online but did not have a chance to complete their D-SNAP phone interview can visit the D-SNAP location below for an in-person interview. In-person interviews are not required if a phone interview was completed.
The department will reopen pre-registration for individuals who reside in these counties and did not previously pre-register online. We encourage individuals to pre-register online before coming on-site to complete their interview. Online pre-registration will open on the first day of each event and close on the last day. Individuals can pre-register at www.myflfamilies.com/DSNAP.
Charlotte and Sarasota County D-SNAP Location
November 21-23, 2024, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte, FL, 33948
Sarasota County Government
Call 311 for county alerts and the most up-to-date information on recovery efforts, or visit scgov.net/storm
Manatee County Government
Call 311 for county alerts and the most up-to-date information on recovery efforts, or visit mymanatee.org/storm
FEMA
To apply for FEMA individual assistance for Hurricane Milton, choose one of the three following options. Note that if you already registered for FEMA individual assistance for Hurricanes Debby and/or Helene, you will need to complete another form for Hurricane Milton.
- Go to DisasterAssistance.gov
- Via the FEMA app
- Call (800) 621-3362
FEMA Sarasota County Disaster Recovery Center
For information on hurricane recovery resources, visit the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) located at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, at 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Call 311 if you need a ride. Calls for transportation must be made before 5 p.m.
SBA Business Recovery Center
The SBA has a fixed Business Recovery Center (BRC) located at the Rocky Bluff Branch Library 6750 US-301, Ellenton. Open Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A list of SBA Business Recovery and Disaster Recovery Centers (BRC/DRC) can be found at sba.gov.
All Faiths Food Bank Food Distributions
All Faiths Food Bank is offering food pickup locations are at multiple public Sarasota County locations throughout October. For the most up-to-date information, go to allfaithsfoodbank.org
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.
Teladoc Health
Teladoc Health is offering free, easy-to-access telehealth visits to help hurricane survivors. Access essential healthcare easily and at no cost during this challenging time. Visit teladochealth.com/info/disaster-hotline or call (855) 225-5032 to request a free visit.
Image: Hannah Trombly
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress Helpline
This phone resource provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support to survivors experiencing emotional distress related to disasters. Call (800) 985-5990, visit samhsa.gov/ or text TalkWithUs for English or Hablamos for Spanish to 66746.
Mental Health Warmline
Available at (800) 945-1355 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Crisis Text Line
Provides free, 24/7, text-based mental health support and crisis intervention. Visit crisistextline.org or text HOME to 741741.
American Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center
Call (833) 492-0094.
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 Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Business owners can self-report physical and economic damage caused by the storms; responses will allow the state to expedite recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of impacted businesses. To complete the survey, go to FloridaDisaster.biz and select “Hurricane Helene” or "Hurricane Milton" from the dropdown menu.
If you need additional assistance with your business, call the private sector hotline at (850) 815-4925, which is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or email [email protected].
State Information Assistance Line
The Florida Division of Emergency Management State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) is active. Residents needing resources before and after Hurricane Milton can call (800) 342-3557. There are English, Spanish and Creole speakers available to answer questions. Click here for more information.
Community Foundation of Sarasota County Season of Sharing Fundraiser
In light of Hurricane Helene, the annual Season of Sharing fundraising campaign is launching early this year to support those displaced or facing work disruptions.
For nearly 25 years, Season of Sharing has supported residents facing a financial crisis in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Charlotte counties, collaborating with case workers to assist with one-time expenses related to housing, utilities, transportation, childcare and more.
Click here to donate.
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 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.
Comfort Buckets for Kids
Local small businesses Camilyn Beth, Influence Style, Main Street Market and Barre3 are teaming up to put together comfort buckets for kids, including hygiene supplies, crayons, stuffed animals, coloring books, small backpacks and more. The retailers will work with local agencies to ensure supplies go exactly where they're most needed.
More information can be found here. To shop the initiative's Amazon wishlist, click here. Monetary donations can be Venmo-ed to @influencestyle. Email [email protected] with questions.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Gulf Coast's Rapid Response Fund was launched to support the community and our partners when a natural disaster impacts our service area. Our staff will work with local organizations following the disaster to gather boots-on-the-ground intelligence which will inform the deployment of these funds to the areas of greatest need as quickly as possible. These needs can and will evolve depending on the circumstances of each disaster. Gifts will be used to provide life-sustaining support to those most impacted.
How to Help
Giving to the Rapid Response Fund means that your gift will support the greatest need during local disasters impacting our region. Gulf Coast is currently responding to the impacts from Hurricane’s Helene and Milton. Click here to give.
Nonprofits Seeking Resources and Support
Hurricane Relief Donation Matching for the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC)
Money donations will be matched up to $5,000 by Best Friends Animal Society and benefit the pets and pet owners affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The Humane Society is caring for animals from hard-hit areas to ensure every pet has a safe space. Your gift helps HSSC raise funds to continue lifesaving work like free pet food assistance, lifesaving transports, medical care and spay/neuter services.
Make a gift at hssc.org/donate-now
HOPE Florida
The Hope Line can be reached at 1-833-GET-HOPE. 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.
Manatee Community Foundation Donations
The foundation is collecting items and seeks non-perishable, unused, unopened food items and bottled water, bleach, mold remover, shovels, wheelbarrows, trash bags, plastic storage bins, toilet paper, paper towels and gloves, etc.
Donation drop-off points will be updated as teams assess the damage from Hurricane Milton. To make a monetary donation, click here.
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.
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 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.
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.
Keep Manatee Beautiful Volunteer Clean-Up
Keep Manatee Beautiful will be hosting volunteer debris cleanups daily through the end of October, beginning in Bradenton and Palmetto and moving out to the barrier islands. All shifts will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To sign up, click here.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Florida Department of Children and Families has announced that those who lost food due to Hurricane Milton can apply for food replacement by visiting www.myflfamilies.com/milton
Ringling College of Art and Design Hurricane Relief Fund
To support its students, Ringling College of Art and Design has established a Hurricane Relief Fund to provide immediate assistance to students affected by the hurricanes, including financial aid for students needing assistance with evacuation costs for off-campus accommodations; emergency grants for loss of employment income for displaced students; and support for overall student wellness and mental health. Contributions can be made by clicking here.
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Hurricane Relief Community Match Campaign
The foundation is committed to helping nonprofits seeking grants to help those who experienced hurricane damage and loss to build back. LWRCF’s board of directors has placed $50,000 in a special hurricane relief fund and is asking the community to help match this amount. Every penny donated to this fund will be given in grants. To donate, go to lwrcf.org and click "donate."
Nonprofit organizations who meet the 501c(3) requirements and are based in Lakewood Ranch can apply for a grant by emailing [email protected] or calling (941) 208-6799 to receive the application for this specific grant.
opportunity.
Humane Society of Sarasota County Pet Pantry
If you are in need of assistance feeding your pet(s), the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) Pet Pantry is available to provide free pet food and supplies. Distribution takes place during open hours, Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from noon to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you'd like to donate, donations can also be dropped off at HSSC's facility during open hours, or donors can shop the HSSC's wish list at hssc.org/give/donate.
Resilient Retreat
Resilient Retreat offers ongoing, confidential mental health support for trauma survivors, first responders, and helping professionals at no cost. The organization provides ongoing, non-crisis support not only during post-hurricane times, but as a stable resource year-round for those who would like to join. For more information, go to www.resilientretreat.
Manatee County Animal Welfare
Currently, the Palmetto Animal Shelter and Cat Town are not open to the public. However, the Bishop Animal Shelter, located at 5718 21st Ave. W. in Bradenton, is open for adoptions and reclaims. If you lost your furry friend due to Hurricane Milton or would like to welcome home a new family member, please visit mymanatee.org/pets for more information.
