We here in South Florida managed to escape the worst damage from Hurricane Milton. But we all know it could have been us in his enormous path.
We can breathe a sigh of relief, but now it’s also time to act. We can help the people who were hit, with food, clothing, supplies and donations. Many charities are collecting money for victims now, but below you’ll find an assortment of other items needed in this emergency — ranging from blood donations to animal care to first-aid kits to generators. Give what you can, knowing that the favor one day is likely to be returned.
Contribute supplies.
When charities can get into storm-ravaged areas, they will be bringing generators, medical supplies, clothing and food. Here’s who is collecting what.
Kravis Center and Palm Beach County Food Bank
The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) and the Palm Beach County Food Bank (701 Boutwell Road, Suites A-1 and A-2, Lake Worth Beach) are asking supporters to drop off items from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 18. Accepted items include nonperishable foods, water, coffee and creamer, baby wipes and diapers, toilet paper, paper towels, batteries, disposable utensils and towels. Visit Facebook.com/pbcfoodbank.
Talkin’ Tacos
Through Friday, Oct. 18, bring donations to any Talkin’ Tacos location in South Florida. They are accepting nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, toiletries, first-aid kits, diapers, wipes, blankets, towels and clothing. Additionally, all restaurant locations plan to donate 100% of proceeds from their guacamole and chips during their five-day relief effort. Visit Facebook.com/eattacoboutit.
Food For The Poor
Food For The Poor in Coconut Creek is gathering hygiene items such as toothbrushes, soap and hairbrushes, as well as clotheslines, buckets with lids, laundry detergent, mops and mosquito repellent. Items must be new and have a year until their expiration date. For a full list, go to foodforthepoor.org. Drop off the items between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Food For The Poor warehouse, 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek.
The Weekend Market at Las Olas Oceanside Park
The MKT at Las Olas Oceanside Park (3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) is collecting supplies at its weekend markets from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 26. Drive-through drop-offs will also be accepted from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.
The items will be transported by Convoy of Hope, a religious nonprofit based in Springfield, Missouri, to hurricane-ravaged areas in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
The market is looking for volunteers to help sort the supplies and pack boxes daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items needed include canned food that is not expired, peanut butter, cereal, protein bars, pet food, diapers, clothing, clean bedding and cardboard boxes. For a detailed list of items needed, go to theloopflb.com.
Florida Highway Patrol
The Florida Highway Patrol is working with several law enforcement and private groups to gather items such as new generators, gas cans, first-aid kits, tents, yard waste bags, blankets and nonperishable foods. No clothing or used items will be accepted. All items must be boxed and labeled.
The two collection sites are at:
- Aventura Mall (in front of Apple Store), 19501 Biscayne Blvd., from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 14-15
- Shops at Pembroke Gardens (at trolley stop), 527 SW 145th Terrace, Pembroke Pines, from 6 a.m-10 p.m. Oct. 16-17
Volunteer
Feeding South Florida, which works with food banks around the state, needs volunteers to assemble food boxes, prepare care packages and sort supplies. Go to feedingsouthflorida.org/volunteer.
Foster a dog or cat.
Animal shelters in South Florida are searching for foster families so they can reduce their kennel populations to accommodate any lost and abandoned pets from Hurricane Milton.
Milton, similar to previous hurricanes, is likely to have displaced dogs and cats who get scared and wander from their homes as they experience a storm. Here are four shelters seeking local residents to foster or adopt:
Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control: 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach; 561-233-1200; discover.pbc.gov/publicsafety/animalcare
Broward County Animal Care Division: 2400 SW 42nd St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-359-1313; broward.org/Animal
Humane Society of Broward County: 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale; 954-989-3977; humanebroward.com
Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League: 3200 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach; 561-686-3663; peggyadams.org
Help a restaurant owner cook for the displaced.
Juliette Johnson, owner of Lickie Stickie BBQ in Sunrise, has more than 2,000 pounds of brisket, ribs, chicken and pork she would like to cook for hurricane victims. She wants to bring two commercial smokers and 10 staffers to a storm-stricken area, but needs ice, cutlery, containers, a U-haul truck and several other items. Go to lickiestickiebbq.com or call Johnson at 954-638-2324.
Donate blood.
OneBlood, the nonprofit blood bank that depends on donors throughout the Southeast, is asking Floridians who were not affected by Milton to donate blood in the coming days and weeks. Every blood type is needed, but especially O-positive, O-negative and platelets, according to the blood bank. Look for a OneBlood Big Red Bus, or go to oneblood.org to find a donation center near you.
