FFTP Responding to Hurricane Milton and Assisting Families Still Recovering from Helene
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (Oct. 11, 2024) – Food For The Poor (FFTP) is actively responding to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Milton and continuing to assist those still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which struck just two weeks ago. The charity is prepared to deliver essential relief items, including cleaning kits and hygiene supplies, to the most vulnerable communities.
FFTP’s response includes:
- • Relief Shipments:
- • Two tractor-trailer loads of critical relief items are being sent by FFTP’s partner, Midwest Mission Distribution Center.
- • The shipments contain 120 pallets of cleaning supplies, tarps, trash bags, and over 4,000 hygiene kits.
- • Catholic Charities, the Florida Baptist Convention, and the Baptist Church Network will oversee distribution to affected areas.
- • Preparedness at FFTP’s Warehouse:
- •FFTP has staged 20 pallets of additional supplies, including generators and disaster preparedness kits for 250 families, which are ready to be deployed.
- • Disaster Response Team:
- • Members of FFTP’s Disaster Response Team will travel to the Gulf Coast next week to assist in the distribution of supplies and assess additional needs on the ground.
- • Support for Off-the-Grid Missions:
- • FFTP is supporting Off-the-Grid Missions, an organization aiding the deaf and hard-of-hearing community and people with disabilities impacted by the hurricanes and living in shelters.
- • Off-the-Grid Missions needs mattresses, simple metal bed frames, bedding, and lighting.
- • Hurricane Collection Drive:
- • FFTP is holding a drive to collect cleaning and hygiene supplies at its Coconut Creek, Fla., warehouse, located at 6401 Lyons Road.
- • Donations will be accepted on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, through Oct. 19.
Items needed include:
Hygiene Items:
- • Washcloth (12 x 12 inches)
- • Travel-size first aid kit
- • Small comb or hairbrush
- • Toothbrush
- • Toothpaste
- • Deodorant
- • Bar of soap
- • 2-in-1 shampoo & body wash
Cleaning Items:
- • Clothesline (30 ft. or 50 ft.)
- • All-purpose cleaner (16 oz. or 40 oz.)
- • 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid
- • Laundry detergent (32 oz. or 64 oz.)
- • Mosquito repellent spray (6 oz. or 14 oz., non-aerosol)
- • Clothespins
- • Heavy-duty trash bags
- • N95 masks
- • Reusable cleaning wipes
- • Scouring pads
- • Work gloves
- • Dish soap (16 oz. or 24 oz.)
- • Scrub brush
- • Rubber gloves
- • Mops, brooms
Note: Items must be new, with at least one year left before expiration.
FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine emphasized the importance of responding to both Hurricane Milton and the lingering effects of Hurricane Helene, especially in the most vulnerable communities such as the service industry and large migrant farming areas where many may be displaced, have lost their vehicles, and have limited means to recover.
“Many people in vulnerable communities don’t have the resources to withstand the shocks of something like this,” Raine said. “They don’t have backup resources. Churches are going to play a very critical role in the support that we give.”
FFTP primarily works internationally but recognizes the responsibility to assist in disasters that directly impact the communities of its U.S.-based supporters, particularly in hurricane-prone Florida. This commitment to exceptional circumstances reflects the charity’s gratitude for the vital role donors play in its mission and its dedication to providing humanitarian aid wherever it is most needed and to serve the most vulnerable. To help with FFTP’s disaster response, please visit foodforthepoor.org/emergencyrelief.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 15 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]