Hurricane Ian Relief

We have some initial volunteer opportunities for those who wish to help out with Disaster Relief in SW Florida. We ask all volunteers that show up to wear a K of C Volunteer T-shirt or a Council shirt.

We will be distributing water and MREs at two different locations on Saturday, October 8:

8:30 AM-12:00 PM: St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 21505 Augusta Avenue, Port Charlotte, FL 33952
1:30 PM-4:00 PM: St Paul Catholic Church, 1330 East Oak St., Arcadia, FL 34266

If there are any items leftover, we will be attempting to take them to Jesus the Worker Church, 881 Nuna Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905

We are expecting that we will be continuing food distribution at these locations in succeeding days, but the details and schedule have not yet been worked out.

There is also a request for assisting Cheney Brothers in helping to distribute food for electrical utility workers going into the impacted areas on Saturday, Oct 8. The location is 1 Cheney Way, Punta Gorda, FL 33982, beginning at 8:00 AM.

Fraternally,

Rick Hughes

State Secretary, Knights of Columbus

SMDP Outreach

10/6/22

SMDP Outreach has been cooking and serving meals in Tice, one the neediest areas of Ft. Myers, for many years. The area was heavily impacted by Hurricane Ian, and the ministry is serving even more people on a daily basis. They need help Monday - Friday:

Cooking 10 am - 2 pm
Serving 2 pm - 6 pm

Mercy Chefs

10/5/22

Mercy Chefs is cooking and providing meals to the community at the Next Level Church in Gateway. To volunteer with this organization, go to mercychefs.com/serve

SWFL Hurricane Relief -Helping those in need Facebook Group

10/7/22

This facebook group is very active coordinating relief efforts.

The Edison Sailing Center in North Fort Myers

10/8/22

Elizabeth Andrews, an amazing SJXXIII and SMD volunteer is requesting help at The Edison Sailing Center in North Fort Myers.

They are in need of extra hands M-F 9-noon to help clean up boats, gear and debris as they were hit pretty hard. While Elizabeth plans to be up there as often as possible and could help connect families, The point of contact for the sailing center would be Stephanie Webb at edisonsailing.webb@outlook.com

13019 N Cleveland Ave, North Fort Myers, FL 33903

edisonsailingcenter.org

Volunteer Florida

10/8/22

Volunteer needs for the hurricane recovery from many organizations:

https://www.volunteerflorida.org/

Have a Place to Rent?

10/12/22

If you have a home or a room that you are willing to lease, it could help to ease the housing situation for those who have been displaced.

Jessica Nolan of Old Florida Dream Team Realty 239-351-5491, is helping to get people placed into homes.

Catholic Charities Ft. Myers Beach food & supply distribution

10/25

Catholic Charities will be distributing food, water, tarps etc. in Fort Myers Beach this Friday 10/28/22 from 10:30am to 1:30pm. They need volunteers, food, and cleaning supplies. Please email bryan@alwayslearn.org or call 407-796-1645 if you can help or donate supplies.

We will meet at 9:30 AM to load the supplies at:

Catholic Charities Elizabeth Galeana Center

4235 Michigan Link Ave

Fort Myers, Florida 33919

From there we will drive or carpool to Church of the Ascension, 6025 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931.

Note: There has been an increase in deadly bacterial infections since the hurricane. Please stay out of flood waters. Use extra caution if you get cuts or scratches. If you have boots, you may want to bring them.

Next week Catholic Charities will try to do the same for Sanibel.

1/18/22