The Tampa Bay area has experienced back-to-back natural disasters with Hurricane Helene’s unprecedented storm surge and then the winds and floods from the most powerful storm to hit our area in a century, Hurricane Milton. This means many of our neighbors are in need of your support.

There are several ways you can assist, whether it’s by giving your time or donating money to relief efforts.

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We will be updating this post as donation and volunteer opportunities become available.

Hurricane Relief Efforts in Tampa Bay: How your family can help

Feeding Tampa Bay

Feeding Tampa Bay is part of the area’s Emergency Operations Command, which is activating volunteers to assist in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

You can make a donation and/or sign up for a volunteer shift with Feeding Tampa Bay’s Emergency Response Volunteer Team. There are shifts available at area mobile food pantries for ages 13 and older. You will need to wear closed-toed shoes.

Throughout the year, kids ages five and older can volunteer alongside a parent at the main warehouse in Tampa.

Metropolitan Ministries

You can show your support with your time or donations by volunteering with Metropolitan Ministries. Keep in mind that the holiday season is fast approaching and the non-profit will likely need extra support to help even more families who have been impacted by Helene and Milton.

Volunteer Florida

There are several different volunteer opportunities with different organizations throughout the state, which you can sign up for. Learn more at VolunteerFlorida.org.

Help Tampa

The City of Tampa has set up a site where you can register to volunteer your time with hurricane relief efforts or make donations. You can register here for Help Tampa.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

During Hurricane Helene, CMA was flooded with over 4 feet of water, lost power for an extended period, and vital equipment was damaged by the salt water, including some of their life support systems. Lab equipment, laundry machines, air compressors, and other essential tools were also lost or damaged. Elevators were flooded and many lower areas sustained water damage.

The aquarium was able to open back up to the public however, they still need your help. You can support their efforts by donating here. 

Hillsborough Education Foundation

The Hillsborough Education Foundation is collecting supplies and cash donations to help support Hillsborough County Schools employees and students who were impacted by the hurricanes. Among the items needed are gift cards for gas, groceries, home improvement stores, tarps, diapers, cleaning products, non-perishable food items, and more. Learn more here about how to support the HEF’s hurricane relief efforts.

Pinellas Education Foundation

A longtime supporter of Pinellas Education Foundation has generously offered to match all donations dollar for dollar up to $100,000 to help support the schools that were directly impacted by the hurricanes. Donations can be made here.

Pasco Education Foundation

Several schools and families in Pasco County were impacted by the hurricanes. Pasco Education Foundation is accepting donations to provide essential supplies for students and support teachers as they work to rebuild a sense of normalcy in their students’ lives. You can donate here.

We Are St. Pete Fund

The We are St. Pete Fund has been established to provide relief to residents, small business, and employees of the City of St. Pete. You can make a monetary donation or volunteer your time with We Are St. Pete here.

BabyCyle in St. Pete

BabyCycle is collecting donations for families impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Among the items they need: plastic totes, hygiene items, diapers, and wipes. paper towels, trash bags, spray cleaners, box fans, dehumidifiers, gloves, and mops. They are collecting donations at their warehouse in Pinellas Park at 6543 46th Street North #1102. Learn more on their Facebook page here.

Clothes to Kids

Clothes to Kids is collecting clothing of all sizes that can be dropped off at any of their locations:

• Tampa: 5011 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa
• Clearwater: 1059 N. Hercules, Clearwater
• St. Pete: 2138 34th Street, St. Pete

Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund

The Tampa Bay Resiliency Fund (TBRF)was first activated to provide critical support to nonprofits engaged in relief efforts due to Hurricane Helene, and now it is working to assist efforts after Hurricane Milton, too. The TBRF is a collaboration between Allegany Franciscan Ministries, the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, the Pinellas Community Foundation, and United Way Suncoast. For more information or to donate, visit http://pinellascf.org/TBRF.

Florida Disaster Fund

The Florida Disaster Fund is the state of Florida’s official private fundraiser for disaster relief and provides financial assistance to communities as they respond to and recover from emergencies or disasters like Hurricane Helene.

Visit The Florida Disaster Fund website for more information and to contribute.

Community Foundation Tampa Bay

Community Foundation Tampa Bay creates a Critical Needs List for nonprofits to share urgent, unexpected needs with community philanthropists. Right now, they are urging nonprofits to share urgent needs for hurricane relief and recovery. Anyone interested in donating to help them out can visit their website.

BayCare Health

BayCare Health System has created a special relief fund to support staff in need.

“Our team members are our greatest asset, and without them, we simply couldn’t fulfill our mission through providing high-quality, compassionate care to the communities we serve,” said BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners. “We work 24/7 to keep open 16 hospitals and other services across West Central Florida, even during hurricanes, and our team shows up without hesitation. Now we need to help those who are always prepared to help others.”

BayCare has committed up to $10 million for the relief fund. Additionally, they are also inviting team members and others who were not personally impacted by the hurricane to donate to the fund. BayCare will match every donation 2:1, from $1 to $100,000.

Humane Society of Tampa Bay

Humane Society’s Pet Pantry is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8:30 am-5 pm, offering free dog and cat food along with other pet supplies. To assist, the shelter is holding a donation drive. Pet food and supplies can be dropped off in their shelter lobby during normal business hours. If you cannot make it to the shelter during those times, visit the shelter’s intake department and they will help you.

Hurricane Helene Help by Sylvan Ramble Lights in South Tampa

Sylvan Ramble Lights is “stepping outside of our normal mission to provide urgent support for those impacted by Hurricane Helene”. For those in need of assistance or who would like to donate to those in need, visit their website: sylvanramblelights.com. 100% of the funds raised will go directly to those in need, ensuring they receive immediate help during this challenging time. They say they will provide regular updates on how your donations are being used through their social media channels, offering full transparency.

Oldsmar Cares

• Toiletries
• Cleaning supplies
• Brooms, sponges, and mops
• Coolers
• Laundry Soap
• Air mattresses
• Camp chairs