How you can help


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