On Thursday, the one year anniversary of Hurricane Michael hitting the Panhandle, the Volunteer Florida Foundation announced that $8 million in Florida Disaster Fund long-term recovery grants will be awarded to organizations engaged in Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Irma long-term recovery efforts.
The foundation will distribute $3 million to four organizations engaged in Hurricane Michael recovery efforts and $5 million to ten organizations engaged in Hurricane Irma recovery efforts.
“As we recognize the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Michael, I am pleased to announce that the Volunteer Florida Foundation will be releasing $8 million in long-term recovery grants to support Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Irma recovery efforts,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis. “We are committed to ensuring our communities receive the support necessary as we rebuild stronger than ever before. Thank you to the generous individuals who donated to the Florida Disaster Fund and made this support possible.”
The Florida Disaster Fund is the state of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover after emergencies or disasters.
“As we reflect on the one year anniversary of Hurricane Michael, the Volunteer Florida Foundation is pleased to announce the award of Florida Disaster Fund grants that will support long-term recovery efforts in the panhandle and areas still recovering from Hurricane Irma,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Clay Ingram. “With the support of Governor DeSantis, Volunteer Florida has been able to continue to assist communities as they rebuild and recover through our Florida Disaster Fund grants and Disaster Case Management Programs.”
The following organizations were awarded Florida Disaster Fund long-term recovery grants to support existing projects that are helping individuals recover from Hurricane Michael:
Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church ($1,125,000)
Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church will repair and/or rebuild at least 73 Hurricane Michael-damaged homes.
Gulf District Schools ($1,125,000)
Gulf District Schools will complete repairs and upgrade existing HVAC units in schools to ensure the health and well-being of staff and students.
The Salvation Army ($600,000)
The Salvation Army will provide resources to those affected by Hurricane Michael who have exhausted all other sources of funding for personal unmet needs, such as rebuild/repair materials, household goods and furniture. The Salvation Army will be able to increase the number of unmet needs cases served from 400 to 600.
Town of Alford, Florida ($150,000)
The Town of Alford will rebuild its volunteer fire station facility. The station was located next to the Town Hall building, which was also severely damaged. The equipment and trucks are being temporarily housed in an open pole barn until the facility can be rebuilt.
The following organizations were awarded Florida Disaster Fund long-term recovery grants to support existing projects that are helping individuals recover from Hurricane Irma:
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc. ($925,000)
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc. will provide financial assistance to residents experiencing disaster-caused needs, including rent/mortgage assistance to 60 families throughout Monroe County and infrastructure support to assist an additional 37 units of affordable housing in Monroe County.
Cento Campesino Farmworker Center, Inc. ($750,000)
Centro Campesino Farmworker Center, Inc. will provide comprehensive recovery services to Floridians affected by Hurricane Irma through home repairs and financial assistance.
Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network, Inc. ($25,000)
Florida Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Network, Inc. will assist Long Term Recovery Groups by connecting them with grants and other resources.
Metropolitan Ministries, Inc. ($100,000)
Metropolitan Ministries, Inc. will prevent families impacted by Hurricane Irma from becoming homeless through prevention assistance programs, such as utility, rental, mortgage and other financial assistance.
Rebuilding Together Broward County, Inc. ($225,000)
Rebuilding Together Broward County, Inc. will serve Irma affected clients by providing utilities assistance, rent support, income replacement, food, clothing, transportation, medical supplies and household items.
Rebuilding Together of Central Florida, Inc. ($225,000)
Rebuilding Together of Central Florida, Inc. will direct/implement critically needed roof replacement projects at the homes of low and very low-income residents/households at no cost to the homeowner. Those served will include qualifying veterans, seniors, single mothers and the disabled, among others.
Star of the Sea Foundation, Inc. ($225,000)
Star of the Sea Foundation, Inc. will purchase and distribute food, primarily locally sourced produce and proteins, to those still recovering from Hurricane Irma.
St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity ($525,000)
St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity will rebuild, repair and fortify Hurricane Irma damaged homes. This will be accomplished by repairing or replacing critically damaged roofs, installing impact windows or hurricane shutters, and repairing or replacing exterior damage.
The Salvation Army ($1,000,000)
The Salvation Army will provide resources to those affected by Hurricane Irma who have exhausted all other sources of funding for personal unmet needs, such as rebuild/repair materials, household goods and furniture. The Salvation Army will be able to increase the number of unmet need cases served from 250 to 500.
Young Adult Missional Movement of the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church ($1,000,000)
Young Adult Missional Movement of the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church will support staff delivering holistic disaster services in Hurricane Irma-affected areas, including construction coordination, volunteer management, funding contractual costs and materials/products.
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