Members of the FIU community have big hearts, and the university has received many inquiries from people asking how they can donate and volunteer their time to help our neighbors who have been severely impacted by the hurricane. Please note that FIU is not a drop-off site for donations.
Here are some other ways you can help:
Time
The American Red Cross is looking for help. There is a particular need for bilingual (Spanish/English or Creole/English) volunteers in the Greater Miami/Keys area, LaBelle-Clewiston, as well as in and around Naples and Ft Myers. There is some need, as well, in Tampa/ St. Pete and Jacksonville.
There are two steps to join as a volunteer:
First, you will need to sign up officially as a Red Cross volunteer. You can do this online at this link:http://www.redcross.org/hurricane-irma-volunteer-application You will be asked to fill out contact information and a couple of release forms—including one for a criminal background check.
Second, we invite you to click on this link http://bit.ly/2xipr8d and provide information about your preferred part of Florida to volunteer, and the type of work you would like to support. There is a variety of opportunities to choose from, including in shelters, distributing goods and food, and enrolling affected persons in financial assistance.
Money
Please remember that cash donations are always best. Financial help is critically needed and provides assistance to the most people in the fastest and most efficient manner. The Florida Disaster Fund has been activated and is approved by the State of Florida. It is administered by the Volunteer Florida Foundation.
The American Red Cross and Salvation Army are both widely recognizable relief organizations and welcome support. Contributions can be made specifically for Hurricane Irma relief through each organization’s website:
Red Cross Hurricane Irma Donations
Salvation Army Hurricane Irma Donation
Supplies
Goodwill Industries is partnering with the Red Cross to accept, manage, sort and make goods available where needed. In addition to being a processing center, Goodwill Industries has also developed its own program focused on people who lost possessions due to storm damage or flooding, or who remain without power and need dry clothing to wear as well as housewares.
While Goodwill Industries can accept almost anything, the current focus is on clothing, shoes, towels, linens and household goods. No perishable food, please. Goodwill Industries prefers, where possible, that all packaging be shrink-wrapped and palletized. Here are a few locations that are accepting donations:
9760 SW 8 St, Miami, FL 33174
10201 Hammocks Blvd, Miami, FL 33196
2050 71 St., Miami Beach, FL 33141
Supplies for Keys resident living at FIU
Several South Florida companies are collecting donated goods to help Florida Keys residents who are living at FIU until they are allowed to return home.
Items needed include:
• Feminine hygiene pads
• Diapers
• Yoga mats (small mattresses)
• Water
• Food
• Blankets
• Pillows
• Clothes
Below are some drop-off locations for those donations (remember, FIU is not a drop-off site for donations):
Bolivar Restaurant
841 Washington Ave.
Miami Beach
*Starting 10 a.m. Friday.
Restaurante Mi Pueblo
10910 W. Flagler Street
noon to 6 p.m.
50 Biscayne
Cervera Corp. offices
20 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
Dezer Platinum
Collins 172, Sunny Isles Beach
[…] How you can help […]
[…] For more information on how you can help I have included a link from FIU. […]
Are there any Broward County drop off locations? We are located in Hollywood and have a few bags of items to donate.
Hi, cbustos@mhs.net — Here’s a link that lists some locations in Broward: https://www.local10.com/weather/hurricane-irma/how-to-help-those-in-need-in-south-florida-following-hurricane-irma.
I called some restaurants in Miami and they are no longer accepting donations. I live in orlando and was planning to drive down to drop off stuff. Are the keys residents still at Fiu? Where can I drop off supplies?
Hi, nessa5108@yahoo.com, thanks for your inquiry. The special-needs group of Keys evacuees (those who have special health/medical needs) is still at FIU, but we are not a drop-off site for donations. The general-population Keys evacuees moved last week to Fuchs Pavilion at the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair site. We don’t know if they’re still there because we are not responsible for the evacuees, the American Red Cross is. We heard, however, that they were accepting donations at Fuchs Pavilion last week.
Are the individuals with food allergies receiving allergy friendly food options? If not, my non-for-profit group can help provide these items. Is there a contact person we can reach?