Children at the Safe Children Coalition’s youth shelter had a holiday filled with games, plus clothes and other necessities, thanks to the generosity of nurses and caregivers at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital.

Staff at the youth shelter said they were in great need of clothing and games for older children they help who are homeless or in crisis.

For several weeks in early December, caregivers brought in donations and collected them at the hospital. A carload of items was donated, including an Xbox game system, movie gift cards, clothing and sporting equipment.

The lives of many Floridians have changed dramatically since Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in late September. All Faiths Food Bank mobilized before the storm arrived and has been working ever since to meet immediate as well as long-range needs of residents impacted by the hurricane.

The Food Bank is grateful for the support of numerous organizations, foundations and corporations that have contributed a total of $690,000 to support its hurricane relief efforts: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Florida Blue Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, InstaCart via Feeding America, Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust, Shear Family Foundation, Southwest Airlines, Starling Group, Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and Walmart Foundation.

All Faiths plans year-round for disaster response and is prepared for immediate activation when a storm approaches.

Before Hurricane Ian had even reached our shores, All Faiths Food Bank moved food and water to shelters and disaster relief organizations. Since the hurricane made landfall, All Faiths Food Bank has provided food and water to shelters and disaster relief organizations and continues to provide food and resources to storm victims in our community.

The Gettel Foundation presented a $30,000 check to Toys for Tots on Dec. 21 in Bradenton.

In addition, Gettel Automotive associates raised an additional $21,000, which was used to buy bikes, helmets and toys for Toys for Tots.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Staff gives back to youths in shelter, food bank helping Ian victims