Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida, will host a drive-thru donation event on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9 to 11 a.m. to benefit families recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Sacred Heart’s Knights of Columbus Council #12110 will collect and collate donated items with volunteers from Love INC of Metro Tampa at the church’s north campus (3515 North Florida Avenue).
“Our prayers are obviously with our parishioners and neighbors,” said Br. Mike Jones, OFM, pastor of Sacred Heart. “We know this is a difficult time for so many, especially on an emotional and spiritual level, and will be for quite a while.”
The parish is asking for items in four categories, and it will bundle them for families in need who sustained property damage or other loss during the recent storms. These include:
- Cleaning products
- Personal hygiene (self-care)
- Infant and toddler needs
- Household items
A wish list with specific items is included on the parish website.
Sacred Heart was not damaged during the storms. The friars and parish have focused on assistance and prayers for people impacted by the hurricanes.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation estimates that the two storms caused losses of nearly $3 billion in the state. Helene made landfall near Perry, Florida, on Sept. 26, and Milton came ashore near Siesta Key, Florida, on Oct. 9.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hurricane season lasts from June 1 to Nov. 30.
