Hurricane Milton lashed Florida on Oct. 9 after making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane with winds up to 120 mph near Siesta Key.
The major storm brought heavy rainfall, up to a foot in the Tampa area, triggered at least 36 tornadoes and claimed at least 23 lives.
As Floridians come together to pick up the pieces amid extensive flooding, debris pileup, tornado damage and more, various charities and nonprofits are raising funds and accepting donations to support rescue and relief efforts.
On Thursday, Oct. 17, "GMA" will visit Tampa to help bring sunshine back to the Sunshine State as students return to school for the first time since Milton devastated the region.
Below are organizations to support that are directly responding to communities impacted by Hurricane Milton, as well as links for more information.
Feeding America
Feeding America is working with partners on the ground in impacted states including Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas to support Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton recovery. The organization works with food banks and food pantries to combat hunger in America all year round and activates after disasters to support communities in need as well. Click here to learn more.
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian group, responded to the hurricane disasters across the Southeast. Teams have been on the ground since the storm passed and cleared roads for first responders and survivors, according to the group, ahead of a full-scale operation across the west coast of Florida. Click here to learn more.
Mercy Chefs
Mercy Chefs is providing thousands of hot meals in Florida and North Carolina. Click here to learn more.
Samaritan's Purse
A Christian charity, Samaritan's Purse is raising money and sending volunteers, staff and equipment to distribute emergency aid to hurricane victims. Click here to learn more.
Global Empowerment Mission
Following Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, Global Empowerment Mission, a nonprofit focused on solving humanitarian challenges, is distributing aid, including food, water, hygiene supplies, cleaning materials, tarps and pet supplies in North Carolina and Florida. Click here to learn more.
Ground Force Humanitarian Aid
The nonprofit Ground Force Humanitarian Aid trains volunteers to respond to natural disasters and focuses particularly on helping older adults and individuals with disabilities. Click here to learn more.
Red Cross
Help people affected by Hurricane Milton. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. Click here to learn more.
The Walt Disney Company, ABC News' parent company, provides annual support to the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, which allows organizations like the American Red Cross to immediately activate and provide much-needed assistance to hard-hit areas in the U.S.
Editor's Note: This story was originally published on October 10, 2024 and has since been updated.
