Within the first week since Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, Farm Share, the largest independent food bank in the state and the third largest in the nation, has already deployed more than 1.5 million pounds of food, water, ice, hygiene products, and supplies to 29 counties impacted by the storm.
‘Within the first 3 days, we distributed more than 910,000 pounds of aid. Within the first 24 hours, Farm Share mobilized more than 220,000 pounds of aid,” said Stephen Shelley, the CEO of Farm Share.
Partnering up with Global Empowerment Mission, Farm Share has mobilized essential food, water, and supplies to the following 29 counties: Gadsden, Liberty, Suwannee, Columbia, Citrus, Hernando, Marion, Pasco, Dixie, Franklin, Walkulla, Taylor, Leon, Hamilton, Hillsborough, Levy, Madison, Sarasota, Lee, Pinellas, Putnam, Alachua, Jefferson, Gilchrist, Volusia, Lake, Calhoun, Charlotte, and St. Johns.
Shelly said as the extent of the damage became more apparent, Farm Share expanded its area of service and continued to reload our trucks to get as much relief to as many Floridians as possible.
“At times like this, Floridians shouldn’t need to worry about where their next meal or clean water will come from,” Shelly said.
Farm Share supplies have come from generous donors and support from the Florida Legislature. The group also works closely with the Florida Division of Emergency Management, local emergency management officials, and our statewide network of community partners like the Global Empowerment Mission to optimize response efforts and conduct community relief operations in areas most affected by the storm.
Hurricane Helene isn’t the first time Farm Share has provided supplies for hurricane victims. After Hurricanes Ian in 2022, Idalia in 2023, and most recently Debby, Farm Share delivered more than 70 truckloads of food, water, and supplies within 14 days of the storms making landfall, providing over 2.6 million pounds of aid to affected communities.
For people who can help support Farm Share’s response efforts, visit their website at FarmShare.org.
Author
