Opinion: Want to help after Hurricane Ian? Donate to local Manatee Disaster Relief fund

In Manatee County, there is a rule that most people follow. Roll up your sleeves quickly to help others.

In the days before Hurricane Ian, residents were already sending messages, checking on the preparedness of friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Readers are among those who purchased and shared extra water, food, and gas for generators.

Many people felt fortunate to survive the storm unscathed — with little damage to their homes and minor inconveniences. But reports are surfacing of residents who lost their homes entirely, those who lost power and cannot afford to replace the spoiled food, and those who lost days of work and will be unable to catch up financially.

Too many people were vulnerable before the storm. The joint impacts of the housing crisis and the high cost of living already challenged Manatee families, who are now experiencing a compounded crisis due to Ian.

As we survey the scenes over the next week, we still have much to learn about the extent of the damage in Manatee County. Working in partnership with charitable organizations, United Way Suncoast, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, and many others, Manatee Community Foundation will no doubt uncover short and long-term issues that will require the community to work together.

We do know that the empathy and giving of others help people in crisis through dark and unpredictable times. We are fortunate to be connected to a network of caring donors, partners, and community members who say yes to helping neighbors and strangers alike.

Many years ago, our Foundation created the MCF Disaster Relief Fund to be mobilized for such situations. Post-Ian, the Fund will support nonprofits through grants awarded for response efforts.

The Knight Foundation, an innovative funder with strong ties to Bradenton, has allocated $75,000 to support this Fund. Through Manatee Community Foundation’s partnership with the Bishop Parker Foundation, we will be able to match individual contributions from the community dollar for dollar, up to another $75,000. These dollars will stay in Manatee County.

For decades, people have given through community foundations because staff members know the community, leverage dollars to make the greatest difference, and partner with others.

Our team is well-connected to local nonprofit organizations working in underserved communities. We are in the process of getting their “on the ground” information about what vulnerable people are experiencing as a result of this terrible storm.

As you visit our website, www.ManateeCF.org, you will see how to make a tax-deductible gift to the MCF Disaster Relief Fund, but also how to support other funds and nonprofits in our Southwest Florida region.

Most importantly, if you want to donate after a disaster, ensure that you are making the gift to a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit to avoid scams. Giving money in any amount is preferable to donating items, unless those items are specifically requested by organizations providing relief.

A special thanks to every person in this community. We know you care.

Susie Bowie is the executive director of Manatee Community Foundation. Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded more than $47 million in grants and scholarships. Visit online at ManateeCF.org