How to Help Victims of Hurricane Idalia

Conservation

On-the-ground organizations providing relief for those impacted by the storm

Compiled by Danielle Wallace and Sadie Chafe

August 31, 2023

photo: Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press.

After making landfall early Wednesday morning in Florida as a Category 3 storm, Hurricane Idalia moved across the Southeast, bringing storm surge, destructive winds, and tornadoes to parts of Georgia and the Carolinas. As effects from the storm continue, here are some ways to help impacted communities.

Mercy Chefs

The Virginia-based disaster relief organization has deployed to Live Oak, Florida, and will work with the Emergency Operations Center of Florida to provide meals for impacted residents. Meals will begin to be served Thursday, August 31, from Suwannee High School. Donate or sign up to volunteer here.

Gleaning for the World

The disaster relief nonprofit will hold a donation drive today from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Sam’s Club in Lynchburg, Virginia, accepting donations such as bottled water, nonperishable foods, hygiene products, baby diapers and formula, and pet foods. The nonprofit is working with partners in Florida to determine distribution sites. They are also accepting monetary donations.

Hatching Hope

The nonprofit based out of Pelham, Alabama, is sending trucks loaded with hygiene products and cleaning supplies to impacted communities. This will be the organization’s eighth hurricane relief effort, and they are looking for donations such as blankets, trash bags, and diapers. Monetary donations are also accepted here.

Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief

The organization has deployed nearly two thousand volunteers throughout Florida to aid those impacted by the storm. Volunteers provide thousands of hot meals and help remove debris from victims’ homes. Donate here.

All Hands and Hearts

This national relief organization works with local residents to help them cope with immediate and long-term effects of natural disasters. Volunteers are preparing to be on the ground in Florida. To support their efforts, donate here.

Airlink

This global nonprofit organization provides airlift assistance to nonprofit partners and is providing free-of-charge flights for emergency responders and health professionals who are assisting storm victims. Airlink is also partnering with Crisis Relief & Recovery, which is deploying a team to assess the needs of affected communities. Donate here.

GlobalGiving

As a nonprofit that connects other nonprofits to donors and companies, GlobalGiving is spearheading a Hurricane Idalia Relief Fund to provide food, water, and medical supplies to victims. The donations will also support frontline workers assisting those impacted by the hurricane. Donate here.

Samaritan’s Purse

The nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse has deployed two U.S. Disaster Relief Units to Georgia. Trucks filled with relief equipment and supplies left the organization’s North Carolina location to head to Albany, Georgia. Donate here.

Feeding Tampa Bay

Part of the national Feeding America network, Feeding Tampa Bay provides food for the ten-county area of West Central Florida. The organization held emergency distributions Wednesday afternoon and is also preparing emergency response efforts for food distribution after the storm passes. Donate here.

American Red Cross

The Red Cross is urging people in unaffected areas to donate blood, as many blood drives have closed due to Idalia and there has already been a concerning shortage of blood donations. Those wishing to help in other ways can also make financial donations to the Red Cross or sign up to contribute to local volunteer efforts assisting those affected by the storm. Sign up to give blood here.

To learn more about a charity before donating, consult Charity Navigator.

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