A wide variety of agencies are available to assist victims of Hurricane Ian, ranging from medical attention to help with cleanup, food and water needs, and bill payment.
Social service needs
2-1-1
The National Human Needs Number connects you to the local Charlotte County United Way for help with everything from housing to jobs to food and more (see also www.charlotte211.com) . And United Way’s Facebook pages provided great updates for multiple resources. www.facebook.com/UWCCFL.
United Way of Charlotte County
From mobilizing volunteers to help after a natural disaster to raising and distributing funds to provide direct assistance to those in need, United Way will do everything in its power to help our community recover. The organization is currently assisting residents impacted by Hurricane Ian by addressing short-term storm-related needs and supporting long-term recovery efforts across the county, and ensuring families have access to resources they need when they get back on their feet.
941-627-3539; www.unitedwayccfl.org/ian
Distribution of food and water
Food, water and supplies are being distributed as available at the following locations:
¦ Charlotte Sports Park: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte.
¦ City of Muscle Cars: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 10175 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda.
¦ Tringali Recreation Center: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 3460 North Access Road, Englewood.
Medical Resources
The availability of medical resources in Charlotte County after Hurricane Ian continues to increase:
¦ Medical treatment site: Cultural Center Parking Lot, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte.
Free emergency care, chronic care, pharmacy and other medical services. Unable to take x-rays or cast broken bones. Open 24/7.
¦ Mobile emergencies: Ann & Chuck Dever Regional Park, 6961 San Casa Drive, Englewood. Free urgent care, chronic care. Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
¦ Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County, 1100 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte. 941-624-7200.
¦ Millennium Physician Group Walk-In Clinic, 2450 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte. 941-624-2704 or 844-225-5674.
¦ Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic, 21297 Olean Blvd, Port Charlotte; 941-766-9570.
¦ MedExpress Urgent Care, 2200 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte. 941-613-0022
¦ Southwest Florida Family Health Centers Inc., 4120 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte. 239-344-2306.
Free medical appointments
Telehealth Lee Health www.leetelehealth.org
855-635-1393 (for those without internet access)
National Disaster Helpline
800-985-5990
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling to people who are experiencing emotional distress related to a natural or man-made disaster.
Suicide and crisis lifeline
9-8-8
Since this summer, the former national suicide hotline has been given a simplified three-digit number.
Well-being of loved ones
800-RED CROSS (733-2767)
FEMA Individual and Household Assistance Program www.DisasterAssistance.gov; 800-621-3362
Provides assistance for temporary housing, repair or replacement of owner-occupied homes, and other disaster-related expenses.
Help clean up storm damage
Crisis cleaning
800-451-1954
A national coalition of volunteers
organizations that provide assistance
with tarpaulin roofs, felled clearings
trees, mold mitigation and similar home
cleaning by qualified persons.
Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida
www.harrychapinfoodbank.org; 239-334-7007
Charlotte County Call Center
For county news (boil water advisory,
curfews, etc.): www.charlottecountyfl.gov/news
CharCoCare
The CharCoCares text system provides updates on local recovery events, area resources and opportunities as they become available. Service is provided by the Charlotte County Office of Emergency Management. Simply text CharCoCares to 888-777 to sign up. The service is free; Messages and data rates may be applied.
Town of Punta Gorda
Find the latest recovery updates and links for help at www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/residents/hurricane-ian.
Disaster unemployment assistance
Florida Department of Economics
Opportunity
Benefits/Claims: 800-204-2418
Main: 850-245-7105
Department of Children and Families ACCESS Florida Information
Line
850-300-4323
TTY: 800-955-8771
Information and assistance with applying for food stamps, temporary financial assistance, and Medicaid.
Florida Department of Finance
Helpline
877-693-5236
General insurance information and fraud reporting services.
Florida Energy and Light
800-4FAULT (800-468-8243)
Report downed power lines or dangerous equipment (or call 911).
Charlotte County Utilities
941-764-4300; www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/utilities
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
Emergencies: 911
Non-emergencies: 941-833-4161
Punta Gorda Police Department
Emergencies: 911
Non-emergencies: 941-639-4111
To give money
United Way of Charlotte County
Disaster Relief Fund
www.unitedwayccfl.org
Active community organizations
in case of disaster
www.COADFL.org
Florida Disaster Fund
To support response and recovery activities, visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
Salvation Army Hurricane Relief
www.helpsalvationarmy.org; 800-SAL-ARMY (800-725-2769); Text STORM to 51555 to donate to help disaster relief
Red Cross – Southwest Florida Chapter
The American Red Cross of Southwest Florida serves Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.
2001 Cantu Court, Sarasota
941-379-9300 www.redcross.org/local/florida/central-florida/about-us/locations/southwest-florida.html
24 hour helpline: 800-733-2767
Florida Volunteer Foundation Florida Disaster Fund:
Volunteer Florida Foundation, Attn: Florida Disaster Fund, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308 (note “Florida Disaster Fund” in check line) www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf
850-414-7400
Audit of other charities
All charities soliciting in the State of Florida (except religious, educational, political, and governmental agencies) are required to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). To find out if a charity is registered, as well as how much it spends on administration and fundraising versus actual programming: 800-HELP-FLA (800-435-7352)
Donate resources
¦ Red Cross: 941-379-9300; www.redcross.org/local/florida/central-florida/ways-to-donate.html
¦ Salvation Army: www.salvationarmyflorida.org/portcharlotte
¦ United Way: 2-1-1; www.unitedwayccfl.org/ian
Donation of time/volunteering
The Salvation Army – Port Charlotte www.salvationarmyflorida.org/portcharlotte
Active community organizations
in case of disaster
www.COADFL.org and www.VolunteerFlorida.org/volunteerconnect
Red Cross – Florida Gulf Coast
Heartland Chapter
www.redcross.org/local/florida/south-florida/volunteer
239-278-3401¦
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