Volunteers and Donations in Disasters

As we work toward the recovery of our county following hurricanes Helene and Milton, we thank you for offering to help our community by volunteering or making a donation. Here are some tips to make sure your resources do the greatest good.

Volunteer

Do you want to volunteer? Volunteer Connect is a statewide program that matches agencies’ needs with volunteers. Go to volunteerflorida.org.

You can also register to volunteer at one of these nonprofits providing relief in Pinellas County. Find more information and apply to them online on their websites.

Volunteer opportunities

• Feeding Tampa Bay – volunteer.feedingtampabay.org/disaster-response 
• Florida Dream Center – floridadreamcenter.org/get-involved/
• St. Pete Free Clinic – www.thespfc.org/
• Samaritan’s Purse – www.spvolunteer.org/
• Operation BBQ Relief – operationbbqrelief.org/  
• United Way Suncoast – www.volunteersuncoast.org/disaster  
• World Central Kitchen – wck.org/volunteer  
• Reach St. Pete – rttb.org/get-involved  
• Keep Pinellas Beautiful – kpbcares.org/upcoming-events 
• Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay – rttb.org/get-involved 
• Red Cross – redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html
• Daystar Life Center – daystarlife.org/volunteer/  Individuals interested in volunteering can sign up via Volunteer Connect, a statewide online portal to match volunteers with organizations that are looking for help. Visit volunteerflorida.org/volunteerconnect.
• Please do not show up to volunteer at disaster areas without first registering and receiving an assignment through Volunteer Connect, or from a specific agency. The organization you are assigned to will provide instructions and information.
• Please do not self-deploy. Please know that individuals and groups coming into Pinellas County are responsible for their own lodging, meals and other expenses.

Donate

• The most helpful way to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton is to make a monetary donation to a non-profit organization that is working in the area, like the Salvation Army or the Red Cross. The organizations use the donations to assist with specific needs in the community. This also benefits local businesses as they struggle to return to normalcy.
• Before you donate, it is recommended that you certify the registration and financial information of a charity at Check-A-Charity (fdacs.gov) or call (800) HELP-FLA (435-7352).
• Volunteer Florida is also accepting monetary donations. Go to Donate to the Florida Disaster Fund – Volunteer Florida.
• If you would like to donate items, please do not bring large donations into the area without making prior arrangements. You can contact a non-profit organization directly before delivering donations, or email eocvolunteersdonations@pinellas.gov.

Donation Collection Centers

Drop off your donations at the following locations. Large donations can be coordinated by emailing eocvolunteerdonations@pinellas.gov.

Shepherd Center

304 S. Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Clean up supplies, hygiene items, non-perishable food, water, home goods

Greenwood Recreation Center

900 N Martin Luther King Jr Ave., Clearwater, FL 33755

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday, 1 – 5 p.m.

See Preferred Donations List (below)

Hispanic Outreach Center

612 Franklin St., Clearwater, FL 33755

Monday – Friday 10/14 – 10/18

Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Fri 9 a.m. – noon

Clothing (men, women, teens, children); non-perishable food, baby essentials, toiletries, bedding and towels, household items, children toys

St. Pete Free Clinic

863 3rd Ave. N. St. Petersburg FL 33701

Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Hygiene kits, baby and adult diapers, baby wipes, formula, dehumidifier

Dunedin Community Center

1920 Pinehurst Road, Dunedin, FL 34698

Monday – Thursday, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Non-perishable foods, sports drinks and water, toilet paper and paper towels, disposable plates and utensils, toiletries, cleaning supplies, pet food, diapers (baby & adult), baby food, blankets, towels

Red Mesa Cantina

128 3rd St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Through Oct 31

Cases of water, kids’ snacks, non-perishable food, blankets, full-size bath towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, laundry soap, batteries, flashlights

Humane Society of Pinellas

Pinellas County Animal Services, 12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33774

Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Pet supplies

City of Madeira Beach

Madeira Beach Marina, 503 150th Ave., Madeira Beach, FL 33708

8 a.m. – 9 p.m. 7 days a week

Cleaning supplies, batteries, first aid, shovels, NEW underwear and socks, toilet paper, paper towels, nonperishable food, flashlights, work gloves

Safety Harbor Rotary Noon Club

– Anytime Fitness, 2522 N. McMullen Booth Road, Unit B, Clearwater, FL 33761

Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

– House of Pearls, 400 Second St. N., Safety Harbor, FL 34695

Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

– Brightway, The Wilson Agency, 500 Main St., Suit L., Safety Harbor, FL 34695

Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

– Suncoast Animal League, 1030 Pennsylvania Ave., Palm Harbor, FL 34683

Wednesday – Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Respirators (P-100), nitrile gloves, leather work gloves, shovels, hammers, sledge hammer, crowbars, tile chisel, contractor bags, paper towers, Clorox wet wipes, extension cords, generators, water, coolers, utility knives, blower fans, duct tape, snow shovel, wheelbarrows, floor scraper, safety goggles, squeegees, pressure washers

Preferred Donation List

Personal Care Items 

• Washcloth and hand towel 
• Towels 
• Soap 
• Shampoo 
• Deodorant 
• Comb 
• Toothbrush 
• Toothpaste 
• Nail file or clippers 
• Razor and shaving cream 
• Feminine hygiene products 
• Disposable adult underwear/briefs 
• Non-sterile surgical gloves 
• First aid kit 

Sanitation Items 

• Hand sanitizer 
• Antibacterial wipes 
• Toilet paper 
• Sanitary wipes 

Baby Products 

• Diapers (size 2 or 5) 
• Wipes 
• Formula 
• Baby food 
• Baby Bottles 
• Baby lotion 
• Diaper cream 
• Baby shampoo 
• Baby washcloths 

Nonperishable Foods 

• Sports drink 
• Canned goods, dry goods 
• Water 

Cleaning Supplies 

• Paper towels 
• All-purpose cleaners 
• Spray bleach cleaners 
• Dish soap 
• Disinfectant wipes 
• Large trash bags 
• Work gloves 
• Microfiber cleaning cloths 
• Sponges 
• Scrub brushes 
• N95 face masks 
• 5-gallon bucket with removable lid 

Cleaning Tools 

• Mop and mop buckets 
• Brooms 
• Push brooms 
• Squeegees 
• Floor fans and dehumidifiers to help homes with water damage 
• Multi-tool-For various purposes, such as cutting or opening things  
• Shovels 
• Hand tools 

Kitchen Supplies 

• Can opener (manual) 
• Plastic ware 
• Paper products 

Pet Supplies 

• Dry food 
• Wet food 
• Cat litter 
• Litter boxes 
• Toys 
• Treats 
• Beds 
• Blankets 
• Food bowls 
• Water bowl 

Hygiene Kits

Feminine Hygiene Kit

• A bar of soap 
• A washcloth 
• A package of sanitary napkins 
• Nighttime sanitary napkins 
• Stick deodorant 
• Shampoo (3 oz.) 
• An unopened toothbrush 
• Toothpaste 

Men’s Hygiene Kit

• Comb 
• Bar of soap 
• Hand towel 
• Stick deodorant 
• Shampoo (3 oz.) 
• An unopened toothbrush 
• Toothpaste

Family Hygiene Kits

• Hand towels and washcloths 
• Toothbrushes 
• Toothpaste 
• Bars of soap 
• Shampoo  
• Disposable razors 
• Sanitary napkins 
• A box of assorted bandages 
• Stick deodorants 
• Combs 
• A pair of fingernail clippers 
• Wipes 
• Tissues