Neighborhoods have been destroyed and families forever impacted after Hurricane Dorian battered the Bahamas for almost 30 hours as a Category 5 hurricane. The deadly storm leveled parts of Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands, taking lives, homes and food, leaving residents with little to survive.
Emergency relief and long-term assistance are needed. Charity Navigator compiled a list of vetted, highly rated organizations providing Hurricane Dorian relief. The nonprofit assesses organizations on metrics including financial performance, accountability and transparency.
People wishing to donate supplies should reference the Immediate Assistance Supplies List released by the Bahamian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sep. 2.
The following local and national aid organizations are accepting material and financial donations:
Gainesville Organizations
Maple Street Biscuit Company and Fr Body & Facial Beautification Services
- Locations: 3904 SW Archer Road in Gainesville and 140 SW 128th St., Building 5, Suite D at Tioga Town Center in Newberry
- Dates: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, until Sept. 26
- Items: New or gently used clothing, shoes, blankets, flashlights, batteries, feminine hygiene products, baby items
- Additional information: Donors receive a complimentary iced cinnamon bun and drip coffee for every donation of two or more items.
Mi Apa Latin Cafe
- Locations: 111 SW 34th Street in Gainesville and 15634 NW Hwy 441 in Alachua
- Dates: During any open hours this week
- Items: Non-perishable food items, cleaning supplies, heavy-duty garbage bags, hygiene products, batteries, tents and tools
- Additional information: NOT accepting clothing, furniture, bedding or toys at this time.
University of Florida Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity
- Location: 1000 SW Ninth St.
- Dates: Any time this week and next week
- Items: Newly purchased or gently used items including water, personal care items, portable chargers, first aid items, wipes and tents
- Additional information: Contact Damon Veras to arrange for a pickup location and time if needed at 305-244-1105 or damon.veras@ufl.edu
Lana Henfield-Johnson and Zania Bowleg for Bahamas Hurricane Relief
- Location: Mail items to Christ Fellowship Church, 9905 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach or Journey Church, 6201 S. Military Trail, Lake Worth
- Dates: This week and next week
- Items: Gift cards (Walmart, Target, Sam's, Home Depot, Lowe's), canned goods, medical supplies, large heavy-duty trash bags, water filtration devices, baby items, disinfectant wipes, tarps and tents
- Additional information: If you'd like to schedule a pick-up/drop-off, please contact Henfield-Johnson at lanajohnsonh@gmail.com
Burn Boot Camp
- Location: 6250 NW 23rd St., Gainesville
- Dates: Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 from 5 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Items: Any new or gently used items including adult and children's clothing, medical supplies, water and food
- Additional information: Additional dates may be added in the future, but a member will be driving the first collection of donations to Miami Sept. 6.
Scuba Monkey Dive Center/Blue Lagoon Aquatic Center
- Location: 13585 NW 101st Drive, Suite 700, Alachua
- Dates: Every day from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Items: Items specifically requested by the Bahamian prime minister, such as water, non-perishable foods, hygiene kits, cleaning supplies, beds or cots and portable toilets
- Additional information: Cash donations will be used to buy additional items for the cause.
Boys and Girls Club Northwest Unit
- Location: 2661 NW 51st St., Gainesville
- Items: Canned food, bottled water, flashlights, first aid kits, batteries, baby items, mosquito repellent, blankets and clothing
- Additional information: Contact valeriew@myboysandgirlsclub.com for additional questions.
City of Newberry/Newberry Lions Club
- Locations: 25440 W. Newberry Road in Newberry and 25847 W. Newberry Road in Newberry
- Dates: Drop off your donations any time at City Hall or the Lions Clubhouse
- Items: Canned foods with pull tops, baby food jars, canned milk, plastic-wrapped diapers, batteries and flashlights
El Mercado Latino at First Magnitude Brewery
- Location: 1220 SE Veith St., Gainesville
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 8 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Flagler County
St. Joe Plaza/St. Joe Business Center
- Location: Coldwell Banker Premier Properties, 211 St Joe Plaza, Palm Coast
- Dates: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
- Items: 20 to 30-man tents, bottled water, first aid items, plastic tarpaulin, portable lamps, cleaning supplies, hygiene kits, shovels/rakes and insect repellent
National and International Organizations
- All Hands and Hearts
- Red Cross
- Besides giving money, you can also schedule to give blood.
- Global Giving
- World Central Kitchen
- Chef José Andrés will set up kitchens on affected islands to provide food.
- HeadKnowles
- HeadKnowles is a non-governmental Bahamian organization that organized relief for two prior hurricanes and accepts donations through a GoFundMe account.
- Yacht Aid Global’s “Operation Topaz”
- Yacht Aid Global will coordinate with yachts in the region to bring emergency supplies to the affected areas.
- Team Rubicon
- Military veterans team with emergency responders to provide fast disaster response.
- Salvation Army
- Salvation Army works in tandem with the National Emergency Management Agency in the Bahamas and was recommended by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis.
- Waterkeeper Alliance - Save the Bays
- Save the Bays is the Bahamian affiliate of Waterkeeper Alliance, which works to preserve water ecosystems and clean water.
- Select "Hurricane Dorian - Bahamas" when designating your support.
- Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Foundation
- This foundation was created by the Grand Bahama Port Authority and provided instructions for wire transfer donations.
- Mercy Corps
- National Association of the Bahamas “Hurricane Relief Fund”
- This association is managed by Bahamians living in the Miami area and working with The Bahamas Consulate General Miami.