Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the Bahamas on Sunday, bringing catastrophic winds and life-threatening storm surge.
HURRICANE CENTER | ABC Action News Hurricane Center
Where to Donate
- Charity Navigator compiled this list of reputable charities committed to helping the Bahamas
- American Red Cross
- The Salvation Army
- Sol Relief
- Caring for the Bahamas
- Waters Avenue Church
- HeadKnowles
- Haines City Police Department
- Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue
- Sun 'N Fun
- Tampa Bay Rays
We're helping those impacted by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas this weekend.
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 5, 2019
INFO // https://t.co/WmYgwYg6c3 pic.twitter.com/IkgvmAaNpI
- 4 Rivers Smokehouse will be open Sunday, Sept. 8. If you make a contribution, your donation will be given to World Central Kitchen, a not-for-profit organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. Click here, for locations and hours.
- Tampa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
RELATED: Venice crew prepares to bring emergency supplies to The Bahamas
What to Donate
| Generators Extension Cords Work Gloves Chainsaws & Chains Chainsaw Bar Oil Gas Cans Duct Tape Toiletries Box fans Baby Wipes | Tarps Hammers & Nails Battery Operated Fans Batteries Flashlights Bug Spray Mosquito Nets Diapers Leather works gloves Tents | Unused Blankets Cleaning Supplies Nonperishable Food Hygiene Products Baby Supplies Pet Food OTC Medical Supplies First aid items Hand sanitizer | Solar Phone Chargers Phone Battery Packs Cleaning Products Trash Bags Disinfecting Wipes Sunscreen Camping Lights (Solar & Battery Powered) Canned Goods Water |
Do not donate expired or unusable items.
Outside Waters Avenue Church in Tampa, people could be seen unloading back seats and trunks with everything from cookies to chainsaws.
“We need each other now more than ever,” said Jimmy Dunson with Mutual Aid Disaster Relief.
“If we have the ability, the capacity, we have the responsibility to act and take care of each other.”
Dunson has already reached out to the Bahamas to see what they need.
“Listening and connecting with locally impacted communities and trying to amplify their call outs and support them however we can,” said Dunson.
Jodi Cohen said she couldn’t drive by without stopping and donating. It’s an emotional time.
“Many of us have relatives or friends in the Caribbean as well as on the East Coast and it’s important to reach out,” said Cohen.
RELATED: Polk Co. fishermen on a mission to collect relief supplies and drop them off in the Bahamas
How to Protect Yourself from Charity Scams
If you consider making a donation, please be sure to do research on the charity to avoid being scammed.
"All charities soliciting within the state of Florida (excluding religious, educational, political and governmental agencies) are required to register and file financial information with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services," according to FDACS.
To check if a charity is properly registered you can call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or use the Check-A-Charity tool.
You'll also want to make sure the organization you are considering has a specific plan on how they're going to use the fund. Ask questions and do not donate until you get satisfactory answers. For more tips, click here.
Our meteorologist Denis Phillips warned a scammer "has created fake posts, looking like me, and is asking people for money for a fraudulent Bahamas Hurricane Relief Site."
This story will be updated to reflect new locations and/or organizations. Have one you think should be included? Email us at webteam@wfts.com