Roundup: How to help Hurricane Ian victims

The impacts of Hurricane Ian are far-reaching and still being measured and we have been receiving plenty of messages from our readers and followers asking for recommendations on where to volunteer or donate.

There are countless organizations and charities that will be working to aid people who were adversely affected by the storm, but here is a handy list of some standout initiatives and organizations that we think you should look into. Think we missed a good one? Leave your recommendation in the comment section below.

Whatever you do, refrain from self-deployment and filling up a truck with a load of donations and goods. You’ll just get in the way. Leave it to the professionals or sign up to volunteer through an organization.

• American Red Cross is accepting financial donations HERE and even through your Amazon Alexa device when you say the command “Alexa, make a donation to American Red Cross.”
• Central Florida Jobs and Justice and Orange County Classroom Teachers Association have joined forces to host a food drive. They are collecting canned goods, bread, water, flashlights, toiletries, and first aid kits that you can drop off at the OCCTA offices at 1020 Webster Avenue [GMap] from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
• Direct Relief is a humanitarian organization with a long history of helping people around the world, regardless of religion, politics, or their ability to pay for services rendered. They have a 100% fundraising score from Forbes and they are currently focusing on helping hospitals and clinics with backup power rigs and medicines.
• Feeding Florida is working with food banks in its local networks to provide food and supplies to communities affected y the hurricane. You can donate directly to their organization or click HERE to find a specific food bank in their network.
• FEMA is helping with emergency services and debris removal across the state over the next month and they are accepting monetary donations as well as time if you’d like to volunteer. Click HERE for more information.
• Florida Disaster Fund is a private fund created by the State of Florida to provide assistance for emergencies just like this one. Volunteer Florida distributes donations to approved organizations that are assisting victims. Click HERE for more information.
• The Humane Society is hard at work helping animals that were impacted by the storm and in need of rescue. Donations are the best way to help them so they can rent temporary shelter space, provide temporary homes for animals in need, or purchase/rent rescue vehicles and boats. Click HERE for more information on how to donate.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida has partnered with 500 local food assistance programs as part of an emergency response to help the hardest-hit areas of the hurricane. Volunteers are sorting and packing disaster relief boxes as of this weekend and they have launched a series of mobile food distribution hubs as well. Click HERE for more information.