Florida Disaster Fund donates $2 million between five nonprofits

Melissa Pérez-Carrillo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
Florida Disaster Fund donates $2 million to non-profits working to rebuild communities after Hurricane Ian.
Florida Disaster Fund donates $2 million to non-profits working to rebuild communities after Hurricane Ian.
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First Lady of Florida Casey DeSantis said during a press briefing in Sarasota that she will be partnering with Home Depot to provide funding and supplies for nonprofits aiding in Ian's recovery efforts.

DeSantis announced on Friday that $2 million from the Florida Disaster Fund will go to five nonprofits with each receiving $400,000. The money will primarily go toward building supplies to support organizations like Better Together, Samaritan's Purse, Southern Baptist Relief Fund, Lee BIA Builders Care, and Team Rubicon, which are assisting in rebuilding areas devastated by Ian's impact.

Since launching the Florida Disaster Fund, $50 million has been raised.

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"It's not a matter of if people will get back on their feet, it is a matter of when, and I think you all well know that the governor and I are going to be with you every step of the way until everyone is made whole," DeSantis said.

Better Together CEO Megan Rose said her organization knocked on over 10,000 doors in Southwest Florida to find out what families needed after the storm. She said these were communities already financially vulnerable before the storm hit and had no transportation to get to distribution centers for support.

Thousands of volunteers with the organization have tarped roofs, cleaned homes, and done repairs for families.

"It's very clear to me that Southwest Florida isn't just going to recover, but we're going to thrive and be so much stronger on the other end," Rose said.

Home Depot donated an additional $1 million and will be donating products for rebuilding efforts at no cost to the nonprofits.

"We're here to serve our customers and our communities and our neighbors during disasters like this," said Kari Wallace, Regional Vice President of Home Depot.

DeSantis will be holding a toy drive for children impacted by the storm. Toys can be mailed or dropped off at 18375 Cochran Blvd., Port Charlotte; and 12400 Plantation Road, Fort Myers. She asked residents to continue to donate to the Florida Disaster Fund.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Casey DeSantis works with Home Depot to support Ian recovery efforts