New relief for Florida hurricane victims

United Way Suncoast recently received $869,000 from the United Way of Florida Disaster Fund to extend assistance for mid- and long-term recovery from Hurricane Ian. The latest support will boost work that has already taken place in the DeSoto County and Myakka City area.

The assistance includes a collaborative effort with Amazon, Habitat for Humanity of DeSoto County and Myakka Community Center that saw the delivery of mattresses, bed sets and fungicide and sprayers in December. Community members requested the mattresses and fungicide because of historic flooding. The mattresses will replace water-logged bedding and the fungicide will kill the mold brought on by the flooding.

"Amazon is thankful for the opportunity to donate more than $25,000 worth of resources to United Way Suncoast to assist in their continued Hurricane Ian relief efforts," said Sam Blatt, who is part of Amazon's Economic Development team in Florida. "Amazon is committed to supporting the communities where it operates, and we hope these resources make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who need it."

The recovery effort includes a $500,000 commitment United Way Suncoast made in November. To leverage those dollars, the nonprofit launched a Make It Million campaign, inviting the public to match the $500,000 investment. That campaign continues.

Other support efforts also continue. The organization's United We Learn initiative focuses on early learning and helping childcare centers that suffered structural and internal damage from Ian.

United Way Suncoast also is partnering with Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee to provide weekend food backpacks for select elementary school students and will work with Charlotte Behavioral Health and other agencies to augment mental health counseling throughout DeSoto County.

Working with partners such as All Faiths Food Bank, Catholic Charities, Gulfcoast Legal Services and the Women's Resource Center, United Way Suncoast navigators continue to guide community members through complex applications for emergency rental assistance and will expand their scope and assist those seeking FEMA relief.

Submitted by Ernest Hooper