Efforts to recover from back-to-back hurricanes are underway, and several organizations have stepped up to provide much-needed relief in the aftermath of the storms.
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 26 and brought a trail of devastation to the Big Bend area of the Florida Gulf Coast. Two weeks later, Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, Florida.
Both storms left flooding and damage in their wake and knocked out power to millions of residents across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The death toll from both hurricanes continues to climb, according to officials.
As survivors of the storms try to rebuild and recover, here are five ways to help those affected:
World Central Kitchen: Food for Those in Need
A donation to World Central Kitchen (WCK) helps provide meals to those communities in need. Its founder, Chef José Andrés, was initially inspired to create WCK on a 2010 trip to Haiti when he helped prepare food for residents following a devastating earthquake.
WCK provided free daily meals in North Carolina for community members impacted by Hurricane Helene, and its response to Hurricane Milton is underway.
“Our teams are driving and flying to devastated areas with sandwiches and water, scouting for communities in need of support,” the official account for the organization stated on X. “No matter how difficult to reach, we find a way.”
American Red Cross: Donate Money or Blood, Volunteer
Making a financial donation, donating blood, or signing up to volunteer are three ways to help through the American Red Cross.
Hundreds of disaster responders with the American Red Cross have been deployed to provide safe refuge and support as victims of the storms grapple with the aftermath of both hurricanes.
“Thousands of people sought refuge in Florida evacuation shelters last night as Hurricane Milton slammed into the state. It will be days before we have a full picture of the devastation left behind,” the American Red Cross said in a statement. “Red Cross disaster responders from across the country have been in Florida since Hurricane Helene and will continue to support all those affected by Milton.”
Ground Force Humanitarian Aid: One Dollar Goes a Long Way
Ground Force Humanitarian Aid, formerly Cajun Navy Ground Force, has mobilized to assist in Florida after Hurricane Milton. The organization has implemented several programs that have proved successful in disaster areas. Ground Force previously deployed teams to the Maui wildfires in 2023, Hurricane Ian in 2022, and Kentucky tornadoes in 2021.
The organization provides much-needed supplies including diapers, hygiene products, epipens, batteries, camp stoves at locations it calls “SAFE camps.”
Additionally, the organization says even a one-dollar donation goes far in their relief efforts.
“We turn every one dollar you give into 12 dollars,” according to its official website.
Caring for Others, Inc: Donate Cleanup Tools
Caring for Others, Inc., an international human services organization, has activated its “All Hands Mission” for hurricane relief. It comprises a coalition of companies that work together to provide much-needed relief in the aftermath of natural disasters.
The organization is accepting financial donations and cleanup tools and products, including tarps, work gloves, flathead shovels, rakes, chainsaws, batteries, and flashlights.
The core mission of its work is to eradicate poverty around the world and restore dignity to those it serves.
“We cannot let people already suffering from poverty, who are truly desperate to receive our assistance, face further challenges,” CEO Eslene Richmond-Shockley said in a statement in the wake of Hurricane Helene. “We send our prayers to those impacted and aim to provide aid that can relieve residents.”
Humane Society: Saving Pets
Many beloved pets have become displaced, lost, and even abandoned following back-to-back hurricanes. The Humane Society has set up an emergency animal relief fund to help shelter lost pets.
“Our Animal Rescue Team has been rushing to help transport animals in shelters to safety as Hurricane Milton makes landfall,” the organization stated. “While we do this, our team is still working to help in the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Helene.”
Trained and certified members of its animal rescue teams work to rescue stranded animals and help agencies establish shelters after the storms. The Humane Society has teams on the ground in Tennessee and Florida to transport shelter animals, distribute essential pet food and supplies, and operate a veterinary care clinic for those affected by the storm.