articles

TC Food Bank Program Helps People Still Recovering From Hurricane Irma

November 12, 2020


Treasure Coast Food Bank Establishes Program
To Help People Still Recovering From Hurricane Irma


Although Hurricane Irma hit in 2017, some families have yet to recover from the storm now considered the costliest in Florida history – including damages of more than $220 million on the Treasure Coast.

Treasure Coast Food Bank has established a program to help people still struggling to recover from the destruction left in Irma’s wake, thanks to assistance from the Volunteer Florida Foundation’s Florida Disaster Fund.

The program is designed to provide people with comprehensive support. Beyond offering food assistance, people can obtain home appliances, household necessities like cleaning and hygiene supplies, and financial assistance for home repairs, utilities, and moving expenses.

“Hurricane Irma caused devastation to many residents on the Treasure Coast, including many who have yet to fully recover,” said Judith Cruz, President and CEO of Treasure Coast Food Bank. “For people struggling to make ends meet, the hurricane compounded already difficult circumstances and left many families with damage, costly repairs, and in some cases, total displacement from their homes. Because of this assistance from the Volunteer Florida Foundation, we’re prepared to help people with low income who were impacted by Irma and still need help today.”

In addition to providing household items, each family will get a tailored household action plan and one-on-one mentoring to guide them on a path to full recovery. There will be opportunities for them to attend monthly workshops to improve health, wellness, nutrition and financial literacy. And families who qualify will be given assistance in applying for benefits, including SNAP, Medicare, and Florida KidCare.

The program is expected to help about 200 families. People who suffered damage from Hurricane Irma can see if they qualify for assistance by visiting stophunger.org/irmarelief and completing an eligibility survey.

ABOUT TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK

Treasure Coast Food Bank is the only food bank and largest hunger relief organization on Florida’s Treasure Coast, providing the community each year with millions of meals valued at more than $50 million through robust programs and in partnership with 400 charitable organizations in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties. In addition to emergency food distribution, Treasure Coast Food Bank operates a full roster of direct service programs that not only solve the immediate problem of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long-term food security, better health outcomes, and self-sufficiency. Treasure Coast Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. For more information on Treasure Coast Food Bank, call 772-489-3034, log on to stophunger.org, visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/tcfoodbank, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/tcfoodbank.