How to help Florida victims of Hurricane Ian

The images showing the devastation left by Hurricane Ian are heartbreaking. Though South Florida experienced Ian-related flood and wind damage, we avoided a direct hit and now it’s time to help our neighbors in need. Here’s a list of organizations that already have efforts underway.

Baer’s Furniture

This South Florida-based company is taking drop-off donations at all 16 Baer’s Furniture Showrooms throughout the state, as well as at its distribution warehouse in Pompano Beach. For a list of requested items and addresses of drop-off locations, go to Baers.com.

The Mall at Wellington Green

Drop off donated items at this mall Mondays through Fridays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.; as well as Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. The drop-off site is on the first floor across from California Pizza Kitchen. The mall has partnered with Stuart-based D.O.A. Fishing Lures to transport donations to Florida’s west coast. For more information or to schedule large drop-off donations, contact Meghan Buser at info@meghanbuser.com. The Mall at Wellington Green is located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington.

BrightStar Credit Union

This Broward County credit union is doing a donation drive to benefit the American Red Cross, and you may drop off relief supplies at any of seven BrightStar branch locations. Needed supplies include (but are not limited) to: water, batteries, toiletries, nonperishable food, battery-operated fans, diapers, paper cups/plates, plastic silverware, mosquito repellent, hygiene products, baby food/formula, trash bags, medical supplies and tool kits. To donate money or see the branch locations for supply drop-offs, go to BSCU.org/donate.

Operation Airdrop

After a disaster, this organization delivers supplies to difficult-to-access areas with a team of more than 100 pilots using a variety of aircraft. For Hurricane Ian relief, they are focusing on supply flights to Pine Island on the Gulf Coast. To donate, go to Operation-Airdrop.com.

Operation BBQ Relief

This nonprofit gets the name from its origin story, which involves pitmasters from nine states forming an organization in May 2011 for tornado relief efforts in Joplin, Mo. To volunteer or make a donation, go to OperationBBQrelief.org.

Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League

This West Palm Beach-based organization is taking part in the transfer of cats and dogs from the Florida’s Gulf Coast. To support their efforts, you can make a donation by going to PeggyAdams.org/hurricaneian.

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County

After getting in touch with other federations both here in South Florida and on Florida’s Gulf Coast to offer assistance, the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County opened an emergency relief fund to provide urgent basic needs, repairs, cleanup and long-term help for victims. To donate, go to JewishPB.org/ianrelief.

Food For The Poor

This Coconut Creek-based organization has been working with its church partners to provide disaster relief for vulnerable families. Now FFTP is accepting donations for cleaning kits. To see a list of what is needed, go to FoodForThePoor.org/help-now/disaster-relief-hurricane-ian. You may also deliver the goods from 9 a.m. tp 4 p.m. weekdays to FFTP’s warehouse at 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek.

Feeding South Florida

This Pembroke Park-based hunger relief organization is working to ensure victims of Hurricane Ian have clean water and ready-to-eat meals. To donate, go to FeedingSouthFlorida.org.

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is helping with emergency services and debris removal and providing other assistance to survivors in nine Florida counties, including Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota. If you would like to donate money or your time to volunteer agencies such as the American Red Cross, Florida Baptist, The Salvation Army, Feeding Florida, Farm Share, Midwest Food Bank, Operation BBQ Relief, Mercy Chefs and World Central Kitchen that are staging operations for feeding survivors and the federal workers who are helping them, go to FEMA.gov/assistance/volunteer-donate. You may also make a donation at VolunteerFlorida.org/donatefdf or text DISASTER to 20222.

Florida Ian Response Fund

A coalition of grassroots groups banded together in 2017 as a response to Hurricane Irma. Once again, they are activating for Hurricane Ian recovery. The on-the-ground organizations that make up the alliance include Florida Rising, Dream Defenders, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Central Florida Jobs With Justice, and Faith in Florida. Go to ActBlue.com/donate/ianresponsefl.

Volunteer Florida

This agency for volunteerism and national service also has a foundation that manages the Florida Disaster Fund. Their website has a clearinghouse of disaster relief efforts looking for volunteers. You may also make donations to the Florida Disaster Fund through the foundation, which as a 501(c)(3) charity, makes your gift tax-deductible. Go to VolunteerFlorida.org.

American Red Cross

Before Hurricane Ian made landfall, the Red Cross sent 500 trained staffers and convoys of supplies to strategic locations throughout Florida. If you would like to volunteer, go to RedCross.org/volunteertoday. Make a $10 donation by texting the word IAN to 90999, or donate at 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or RedCross.org.

Fort Lauderdale Ice

This South Florida company has a legacy of pitching in after hurricanes. In addition to money (cash, credit card, Venmo, Zelle), you can donate food items, pet food, diapers, socks, towels, batteries, flashlights, blankets, tents and “anything you think they can use,” says Belinda January, COO of the company. “Those poor people lost everything.” The main dropoff point will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day at 1915 NW 18th St., Building C, Pompano Beach. For more information, go to FortLauderdaleIce.com.

OneBlood

This organization provides blood to more than 250 hospitals throughout Florida and parts of the South. They are encouraging people not affected by the storm to consider donating blood. While all blood types are needed, there is a particular call for O Negative and O Positive donors. To find a Big Red Bus blood drive or a donor center near you, visit OneBlood.org.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue

This Palm Beach County-based operation will provide pet supplies to shelters and families. You can donate wet or dry dog and cat food, blankets, crates and/or cash. Drop off donated supplies from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, 14444 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves, or make cash donations by calling 561-791-6465 or going to BDRR.org.

WISHLY

This social media platform connects users to nonprofits and their causes. Available on Apple iOS, Android Google Play and their own website, the fundraising app is asking for $5 donations that will help people and pets with food, shelter and emergency services. The money will go to the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Mercy Corps, Mercy Chefs and City Search & Rescue. Go to WishlyApp.com.

Global Empowerment Mission (GEM)

This nonprofit started with a mission to help people during the 1999 Kosovo Crisis and has continued through the years trying “to bridge the gap between first response and sustainable development,” according to its website. Currently, GEM is helping people affected by both Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Fiona. If you have supplies you’d like to donate — everything from nonperishable food and water to first aid kits and tents — there is a drop-off donation at 1810 NW 94th Ave., Doral. If you wish to volunteer, go to GlobalEmpowermentMission.org/volunteer. To donate money, go to GlobalEmpowermentMission.org/financials/how-to-donate.

Greater Miami Jewish Federation

According to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s website, 100% of all money collected “will provide aid and critical support to those in need.” Checks should be notated with “Hurricane Ian Relief Fund” and mailed to Greater Miami Jewish Federation, 4200 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL. 33137. For more information, visit JewishMiami.org/gift/hurricane-ian or call 305-576-4000.

Team Rubicon

This disaster relief organization was created following the 2010 Haiti earthquake and today has expanded to more than 150,000 volunteers across the United States. To use their “text to give” program where you donate $10, text RUBICON to 20222 (to donate $25, text TEAM instead). You may also donate by going to TeamRubiconUSA.org/give. If you want to volunteer, go to TeamRubiconUSA.org/international.

Publix Super Markets Charities

Publix has a companywide donation program that allows shoppers to donate any amount at checkout. Donations go to benefit the American Red Cross in its Hurricane Ian-related efforts. For more information, go to Corporate.Publix.com.

World Central Kitchen

Chef José Andrés founded this organization in 2010 after a huge earthquake devastated Haiti. Now, World Central Kitchen has been helping people affected by Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Fiona. (In Puerto Rico, it had just opened a field test kitchen. There is also one in South Florida, where the celebrity chef owns The Bazaar by José Andrés restaurant in South Beach.) To support their efforts, go to WCK.org/relief/hurricane-fiona.

The Salvation Army

From Florida to Puerto Rico, the Salvation Army has been giving emergency services, temporary housing, food and emotional/spiritual care to survivors of Hurricanes Ian and Fiona. The organization estimates that it is helping 1 million evacuees in their Florida shelters alone, each feeding 500 to 1,500 people per day. To donate, go to HelpSalvationArmy.org.

Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County

This organization has been coordinating a relief effort for victims of the storm. To make a financial donation, visit JewishBoca.org/give/hurricaneian.

Rebuilding Together

This national organization has affiliates in Tampa Bay, Central Florida and North Central Florida, so they are already on the ground directly helping communities recover. To donate, go to RebuildingTogether.org/hurricane-ian.

Florida International University

Florida International University said it’s working with State University System institutions and reaching out to its 1,800 students as well as faculty and staff who live or have relatives on the west coast to help provide support and resources. To donate, go to FIUstrong.fiu.edu.

CORE

Global response organization Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) said it’s coordinating with local governments in affected regions to get relief supplies to those with the most urgent needs. For more information, go to CoreResponse.org.

Direct Relief

This California-based global humanitarian aid organization, which is active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, is working to assess and respond to needs for medical aid and supplies in Florida. To donate, go to DirectRelief.org/emergency/hurricane-ian.

Project Hope

This Washington D.C.-based humanitarian aid organization was reportedly on the ground less than 24 hours after Hurricane Ian made landfall, visiting shelters and health clinics to distribute supplies and assess needs in the coming days. To donate, go to ProjectHope.org.

All Hands and Hearts

This nonprofit organization is deploying groups of volunteers for DART (Disaster Assessment Response Team) to help out in Florida as well as Puerto Rico. To volunteer for DART or make a donation, go to AllHandsAndHearts.org.