​Support Hurricane Relief Efforts: How To Donate In Sarasota, Manatee

SARASOTA-BRADENTON, FL — As Southwest Florida recovers from Hurricane Ian’s hit to the region last week, many in Sarasota and Manatee counties might be wondering how they can help those in need of relief – both locally and in nearby Lee and Charlotte counties.

State officials are encouraging Floridians to make donations through the Florida Disaster Fund, which received more than $10 million in donations as of Monday afternoon, at www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or by texting DISASTER to 20222.

A number of local businesses, organizations and foundations in Sarasota and Manatee counties are also raising funds for the area’s recovery or collecting supplies for those in need following the storm.

• Stay up-to-date by viewing all Hurricane Ian coverage on Patch here.

Here are some ways to support Hurricane Ian relief efforts. If you know of any other fundraisers or supply drives, email them to Tiffany.Razzano@Patch.com.

Sarasota County Schools

Sarasota County Schools is collecting donations at the following sites:

• South Shore Church, 1899 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota
• First Baptist Church, 1661 Main Street, Sarasota
• Coast Life Church, 1100 U.S. Highway 41 Bypass, Venice
• Grace Community Church, 8000 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota
• Riverside Church, 8660 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers
• Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota

As of Monday afternoon, the most needed donation requests include water, nonperishable food, gasoline in approved sealed containers, hygiene supplies, diapers, baby formula, tarps, work gloves, construction trash bags and over-the-counter medications, according to the district.

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County also activated its Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief & Recovery Fund to support the school district and its more than 5,000 employees. Schools are closed indefinitely as the community recovers from the storm.

Donors can give online here or mail checks payable to the Education Foundation of Sarasota (with Hurricane Relief Fund in the memo field) to the Education Foundation’s LaunchPad4U location at 1413 Boulevard of the Arts in Sarasota. They can also be dropped off at this location Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.

Community Foundation of Sarasota County

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is accepting contributions to its Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Funds donated will be distributed to recovery efforts in Charlotte, DeSoto, Sarasota and Manatee counties. The Patterson Foundation has already contributed $500,000 to the fund and also will match donations up to $750,000.

Manatee Community Foundation

The Manatee Community Foundation is collecting funds specifically to assist those impacted by Hurricane Ian in Manatee County. The Bishop Parker Foundation is matching all money donated up to $75,000. The Knight Donor Advised Fund has also donated $75,000 to hurricane relief efforts. Donate to the MCF fund here.

United Way Suncoast

To assist those affected by Hurricane Ian — with a focus on mid- and long-term recovery — the United Way Suncoast is accepting donations to its Disaster Recovery Fund. Donate and learn more about the organization’s hurricane relief efforts and resources here.

Gulf Coast Community Foundation

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has activated its Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief Fund in the wake of the storm. The distribution of funds will focus on health and human services in areas south of Venice and east of Arcadia. Learn more about how to donate here.

Five-O Donut Co.

All five Five-O Donut Co. shops throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties are collecting donations for SAFE Camp in North Fort Myers, the local chain shared on its Facebook page.

Drop off one of the following items on the list and get a free donut:

• water and ice
• Gatorade or similar drinks
• baby wipes and diapers (for children and adults)
• baby formula
• bug spray and sun block
• paper goods
• plastic utensils
• manual can openers
• non-perishable food items
• cleaning supplies
• plastic sheeting and tarps
• toothbrushes and toothpaste
• personal hygiene and sanitation items
• hand sanitizer
• Clorox wipes
• trash bags
• Styrofoam containers

No clothing or linens accepted.

Dakin Dairy Farms

Dakin Dairy Farms in Myakka City is collection the following items for those recovering from Hurricane Ian in Myakka City, North Port and Arcadia:

• flashlights and batteries
• bedding and air mattresses
• tarps
• water
• non-perishable food
• personal hygiene items
• pet food
• toilet paper
• paper towels

Manasota Sarasota County APA Pool League

In Bradenton, the Manasota Sarasota County APA Pool League is collecting donations at Livingston’s Billiards, 4828 14th Street W., through Sunday.

Among the items most in need are:

• toiletries, including soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and toilet paper
• clothing
• blankets, sleeping bags and pillows
• bottled water
• non-perishable food items, including canned goods, peanut butter and cereal
• comfort items, such as stuffed animals and games

The items will be delivered to members of the pool community in need in the Venice area.

Tidewell Foundation

The Tidewell Foundation is seeking donations to support storm-affected colleagues of Tidewell Hospice and Empath Home Health, as well as to support response and temporary operations in affected areas, according to a news release. Both are part of Empath Health, the largest not-for-profit hospice and home health organization in the country.

Monetary donations can be made online here or by phone with a credit card from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 941-552-7597 or after 5 p.m. at 941-236-2997.

The foundation is also seeking the donation of clean, gently used household items to the Tidewell Treasures resale store, as well as volunteers who can lift, sort and drive needed supplies to locations in Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties. Email dmason@tidewellfoundation.org or call 941-412-7958 to volunteer.

The Reserve Retreat

The Reserve Retreat at 1322 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota is collecting the following supplies that will be delivered to Lee County next week:

• canned food
• water
• baby food and formula
• diapers
• paper plates
• toiletry items, including tampons and sanitary pads

The Humane Society of Sarasota County

The Humane Society of Sarasota County is working to assist animals displaced by Hurricane Ian. The nonprofit has already helped 175 animals as of Monday afternoon.

To support the organization, donate through its website. Or to have your gift matched through the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust, donate here.

MeteorEYES Concert

Donations for Hurricane Ian relief will be collected at Saturday’s concert featuring MeteorEYES, Growler and Lesa Silvermore at Oscura, 816 Manatee Ave. E. in Bradenton.

Both monetary donations and canned food and other supplies will be collected at the show. The Fabulous Arts Foundation has also secured an anonymous donor who will match donations up to $1,000.

Tickets to the show are available here.

The Compound Board Shop

The Compound Board Shop is collecting the following items for those recovering from Hurricane Ian at the shop, located at 3604 S. Osprey Ave. in Sarasota, or the Venice Yacht Club at 1330 Tarpon Center Drive in Venice:

• generators
• gas
• tarps
• ropes
• chainsaws
• chain oil
• two-stroke engine oil
• Gatorade
• electrolytes
• tools
• racks
• bags
• trash cans

Related Stories:

• Hurricane Ian: 101 Dead, Homes 'Unlivable', 430K Without Power
• More Than 200 Cows Die At Myakka City Dairy Farm During Hurricane Ian
• Beware Of Scams, Fraud In Wake Of Hurricane Ian, FL Officials Say
• Hurricane Ian: Food Distribution, Debris Pickup, Sarasota Transit