Hurricane Milton Update No. 34
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Oct. 14, 2024) – Hillsborough County residents looking for ways to help neighbors in need, now have options. Find ways to donate your time and resources below.
Volunteerism:
Volunteer Florida. Those seeking volunteer opportunities are encouraged to sign up at Volunteer Florida. This organization conveniently connects volunteers with a variety of organizations within our community.
Hillsborough County Comfort Stations. Residents looking for a simple but rewarding way to serve can volunteer at one of the soon-to-launch Hillsborough County comfort stations. Register with the USF Community Emergency Response Team in order to participate.
Donations:
Hillsborough County Disaster Relief Fund. Hillsborough County established the Hillsborough County Disaster Relief Fund, which directly funds recovery efforts for residents impacted by large-scale, locally declared emergency disasters.
All financial donations to the relief fund are used to support non-profit organizations providing aid and recovery services to Hillsborough County residents, including the Salvation Army and American Red Cross.
Funds collected will go directly to supporting relief and recovery efforts coordinated by non-profits to support Hillsborough individuals and families. Donated funds will not be used for any governmental services or administrative costs.
Donations can be made to the Hillsborough County Disaster Relief Fund by:
- Visiting lsfnet.org to make a donation.
- Check: Payable to "Hillsborough Disaster Relief Fund" and mailed to Lutheran Services Florida at 3627 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, FL 33614.
Supporting human services organizations that provide relief and recovery services to disaster survivors is part of Hillsborough County's Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
Partner Agencies:
Visit any of the service agencies below for excellent opportunities to help others.
Feeding Tampa Bay’s goal is to make sure our community has the resources needed to start recovery post storm. Since Hurricane Helene, Feeding Tampa Bay has supported neighbors with over 1.5 million meals and have held over 50 emergency distribution locations.
In order to continue their relief efforts, volunteers are needed. Sign up for a volunteer shift and help our county recover.
Metropolitan Ministries is offering emergency relief services due to the recent devastating hurricanes, offering hot meals and bagged lunches prepared in their kitchen and sent out to the community.
The Family Support Centers offer food, hygiene, A/C, phone charging, internet, workspaces for remote workers, and emotional support. View a full list of volunteer opportunities.
Meals on Wheels. When residents volunteer at Meals on Wheels, they are delivering much more than a hot meal – they are providing human connection. A typical volunteer route takes about one hour to complete. This one hour affects the lives of so many of our neighbors in need throughout Tampa. Find individual and group opportunities available.
Get Connected. Stay Alert.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to register for HCFL Alert, Hillsborough County's official public notification system for emergency and urgent alerts.
To receive messages by email, phone, and text, go to HCFL.gov/HCFLAlert. For the latest emergency-related information visit HCFL.gov/StaySafe.
Residents without digital access are encouraged to call (833) HC STORM or (833) 427-8676, the County's storm information and helpline from 7am to 7pm.