EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON: HOW YOU CAN HELP AND GET HELP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
United Way of Pasco County
727-845-3030 | unitedwaypasco.org

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON:

HOW YOU CAN HELP AND GET HELP

Land O’Lakes, FL, October 14, 2024: In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, thousands of Pasco residents are facing displacement and uncertainty. United Way of Pasco County is urgently ramping up relief efforts to support families, individuals, and first responders affected by these devastating storms. Thanks to our generous community, we've raised $6,500 for our hurricane relief fund, but the need is far greater. Requests are pouring in- from warm meals to hotel stays for families of four or more- underscoring the critical need for additional support.

How You Can Help:

Your support is crucial! United Way of Pasco County is accepting monetary donations through our Hurricane Relief Fund https://bit.ly/HurricaneReliefPasco to help displaced residents. Here’s how your financial contributions can make a direct impact through our fund:

·       $10 covers a meal for someone displaced.

·       $20 provides transportation to and from shelters.

·       $30 feeds an individual for an entire day in one of Pasco County’s shelters.

·       $150 places a family in a hotel for one night.

·       $450 covers three nights of hotel accommodation for a displaced family.

Recent Relief Efforts:

Over the past week, United Way of Pasco County has worked tirelessly to provide meals, shelter, and essential supplies to those affected. Here’s how we’ve been helping:

·       100 Publix subs were distributed to emergency workers.

·       150 meals were purchased and delivered on October 7th to families in the flooded community of Gulf Harbors.

·       150 meals were purchased and distributed to shelters ahead of Milton on October 8th.

·       A plan has been established to provide hundreds of meals over the course of a month to the soon-to-open Catholic Charities Pasco Shelter.

·       We have placed dozens of displaced families in hotels, and we continue to purchase basic necessities for those in urgent need. We are currently providing a hotel stay for a family whose home was devastated while they were at the hospital welcoming their newborn baby. This family lost everything and needed clothing, baby supplies, and food during this critical time.

·       Undergarments, baby supplies, toiletries, and other essential items were purchased from our office and distributed to the Mike Fasano Shelter. In one such case, our staff met an elderly woman who had lost everything but her wheelchair. With our support, she received the supplies and undergarments she desperately needed to stay comfortable at the shelter.

Join Us in Making a Difference:

Together, we can support our community through this difficult time. Your kindness and generosity ensure that no one faces this crisis alone. For more information, visit www.unitedwaypasco.org or call 727-845-3030.