Support Steinhatchee's Hope and Recovery Efforts

My name is Melissa King. I reside in Orlando, FL, but lived for a period in Steinhatchee, Florida. My mother, grandmother, and several other family members still live there. My family lost their homes to Hurricane Helene, and I am trying to raise funds to help them and their community with much needed supplies. Supplies include water, packing bins, food, socks, t-shirts, batteries, cleaning supplies, etc. They will be taken to the Steinhatchee Fish Company who is actively working to collect, organize, and distribute the supplies to those in need.

When Hurricane Helene ravaged Florida’s Gulf Coast this week, the small town of Steinhatchee took a devastating blow, facing a 10-foot storm surge and winds of 140 mph.

While Steinhatchee is known for its fishing and scalloping, for me, it holds much more than that. It’s where I spent countless holidays, creating lifelong memories with the people I love. This beautiful place, woven into the fabric of my life, is now in the midst of unimaginable loss and hardship. The homes where my family and I created so many cherished memories are now destroyed or gone, including my grandma’s home. The town itself is in ruins.

The heart of Steinhatchee, the community, is doing everything they can to come together, to rally and organize help, but it’s an uphill battle. So many have been left with nothing, and it’s heartbreaking to see the place that means so much to so many, struggle to find hope in the midst of such overwhelming loss.

This weekend, I’ll be heading up to Steinhatchee, filling my car with everything I can fit to help those in need. If you live in Central Florida and have anything you’d like to donate, I would be grateful to pick it up before I leave. Right now, there’s nothing people don’t need. If you’re not local or don’t have items to donate but still want to help, I’ve set up a GoFundMe to support the recovery efforts. Every little bit can make a big difference. Donations will go toward supplies for the community, including many listed below.

The most urgently needed supplies include bleach, tire repair kits, extension cords, laundry detergent, socks, underwear, bras (all ages and sizes), coloring books and crayons, gas, oil for chainsaws, rakes, shovels, mops, brooms, towels, wash rags, soap, and basic t-shirts (like Hanes). Additionally, grills, lighter fluid, and charcoal are greatly appreciated. Any of these items would make a huge difference for those trying to rebuild their lives.