Hurricane Relief: Ian and Fiona 

Lugo Elieser and his wife, Mara, who kept a boat docked nearby, look at the destroyed bridge leading to Pine Island, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Spring Hill, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 2. The only bridge to the island is heavily damaged so it can only be reached by boat or air. (AP Photo: Gerald Herbert)
Lugo Elieser and his wife, Mara, who kept a boat docked nearby, look at the destroyed bridge leading to Pine Island, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Spring Hill, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 2. The only bridge to the island is heavily damaged so it can only be reached by boat or air. (AP Photo: Gerald Herbert)
Oct. 10, 2022

In the aftermath of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Fiona in Puerto Rico and Ian in Florida, community foundations, as well as nonprofits dedicated to disaster response, have come together to support relief efforts. The Pittsburgh Foundation is donating $50,000 to three organizations: The American Red Cross, Greater Pennsylvania Region ($20,000), which has sent relief volunteers to Florida; Brother's Brother Foundation ($15,000) for direct service and food assistance; and to the Community Foundation of Puerto Rico ($15,000), which is distributing funds to local organizations engaged in Hurricane Fiona relief efforts.

Here’s how you can give: 

  • Hurricane Ian: Southwest Florida Community Foundation has established the SWFL Emergency Relief Fund in partnership with United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades counties. The fund serves the entire five-county region, including inland and rural counties that were also hard hit. Donations will support SWFL nonprofits helping individuals recover from the storm. Other regional funds include the Collier Community Foundation’s Collier Comes Together Hurricane Relief Fund serving Collier County and the Charlotte Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund serving Charlotte County.  
  • Hurricane Fiona: On Sept. 18, Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, causing power outages affecting 1.5 million people and washing out roads and bridges. Hundreds of thousands also lost access to clean water. The Puerto Rico Community Foundation continues to accept donations to its Community Recovery Fund, which was established in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.  
  • The Brothers Brother Foundation has also established an Emergency Relief Fund for U.S. disaster. It is making grants to food banks serving Ft. Myers and Lee and Collier counties, as well as Tampa and Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Credit card donations may be made on the Brother’s Brother website (choose “US Disasters” in the dropdown menu).  
 

Get additional information on reputable relief organizations, including the Red Cross. A contingent of American Red Cross relief volunteers from Pittsburgh is heading to Florida to participate in relief efforts.