Do you need help or food after Helene? Here’s how to find Manatee County resources
Help is available for Manatee County residents recovering from the effects of Hurricane Helene.
More than $358 million in damages have been estimated after Helene’s historic storm surge brought devastating flooding to Anna Maria Island and surrounding areas in the county. As damage assessments continue, the Manatee County Government and other local and national organizations are offering storm relief and recovery resources.
Among these are points of distribution sites established by the county to support residents in hard-hit areas with emergency supplies.
Where to find water, meals, tarps after Helene
Points of distribution sites providing water, meals ready to eat and tarps are being established at the following locations:
GT Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W., Bradenton
Kingfish Boat Ramp, 752 Manatee Ave. Holmes Beach
Blackstone Park, 2122 14th Ave. W., Palmetto
Wakeland Support Center, E 1812 27th St. E., Bradenton
City of Bradenton Parking Garage, 2nd Ave. W and 10th St. W
These sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Longboat Key also has a neighborhood point of distribution site open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 525 Bay Isles Parkway in the parking lot of Publix. The distribution site will have water, ice, sports drinks, flood buckets and meals ready to eat.
Post-storm support is also available to Manatee County residents through food pantries and community organizations.
How to donate food, cleaning supplies
Meals on Wheels started distributing food and cleaning supplies starting Monday at 4 p.m. in Rubonia. The organization is also “collecting critically needed storm relief items.” Donations can be dropped off at their main office at 811 23rd Ave. E in Bradenton or at their Daybreak Adult Day Center at 10920 State Road 70, Lakewood Ranch. Donations can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m, Monday through Friday.
Items needed include:
Non-perishable, unopened food items
Bottled water
Shop vacs
Push brooms
Squeegees
Bleach
Mold remover
Shovels
Wheelbarrows
Trash bags
Plastic storage bins
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Towels
Gloves
Fans
Dehumidifiers
Other cleaning supplies
If you or someone you know is in need of food after Helene, Meals on Wheels PLUS has a list of nearby food pantries. To view the list, visit MealsOnWheelsPlus.org.
Bradenton water bottle distribution
The City of Bradenton will distribute bottled water Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. while supplies last at the Bradenton Auditorium, 100 10th St. W. A valid ID proving city residency is required.
How to find a mobile health clinic
For medical needs post-storm, MCR Health Mobile Clinic will make visits across the county and will be available to provide medical visits, medication and prescription refills, as well as provide mental health and referral services.
The MCR Mobile Health Clinic will be in the following locations this week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
Wednesday, Oct. 2nd at GT Bray Park
Thursday, Oct. 3rd at Cortez Village
Friday, Oct. 4 at Palmetto Point
Where to find temporary housing assistance after Helene
For those needing temporary housing assistance post-storm, a Red Cross Shelter is open at First Baptist of Bradenton at 1306 Manatee Ave. W. in Bradenton.
Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a Bradenton news conference Monday that those left without habitable homes could also soon qualify for transitional housing support. If approved, those with damaged homes could stay in a hotel and get reimbursed, DeSantis said.
FEMA assistance in Florida
Individual FEMA assistance has already been approved. For those looking to apply for FEMA assistance, you can either do it via the FEMA App, by calling 800-621-3362 or by going to DisasterAssistance.Org.
A Helene Disaster Recovery Center will also be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lakewood Ranch Library at 6410 Rangeland Pkwy.
Support for small businesses
The Florida Small Business Development Center will be supporting businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. For more information on how your small business can receive assistance, visit their website.
How to help, volunteer, donate
Volunteers and donations are also needed in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Volunteers are needed for The Center of Anna Maria Island. The best way to get assistance or offer support at The Center of Anna Maria Island is at 941-778-1908 or email at hello@centerami.org.
A Hurricane Helene GoFundMe is also available for anyone wanting to donate.
Manatee County Helene debris cleanup
Manatee County is addressing debris cleanup throughout the county.
Debris pickup started Monday in Rubonia and other impacted areas and is expected to continue over the next several days. Residents are asked to keep storm debris separate from regular trash to ensure it’s disposed of properly. The Lena Road Landfill is open for those who want to dispose of their own hurricane debris. Manatee County residents can provide their ID as proof of residency to waive tipping fees at the landfill.
For more information and debris separation instructions, visit MyManatee.org/storm under the “debris” tab.
Do you have unmet needs?
Residents impacted by Hurricane Helene are also encouraged to visit Manatee County Government’s website to take a survey for unmet needs and let county officials know what they can do to help.
This story was originally published October 1, 2024 at 3:19 PM.
