Gulf Coast to use its Rapid Response Fund
On Oct. 3, before Hurricane Milton came ashore in Sarasota County, the Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) announced that it was partnering with the Houston-based Southern Smoke Foundation (Southern Smoke) “to provide immediate relief to food and beverage workers who live or work” in areas that suffered damage from Hurricane Helene in late September.
That storm, Gulf Coast pointed out in a news release, “brought devastation to many lives in our community, especially along the coastlines” of the Southeastern United States.
Money is being raised for Gulf Coast’s Rapid Response Fund to quickly “support the individuals, families, and communities impacted by natural disasters,” the release said. “Gulf Coast will deploy the funds to the areas of greatest need identified, ensuring that life-sustaining support is a top priority,” the release pointed out.
“After seeing the significant impact on our local food and beverage industry workforce, partnering with Southern Smoke became evident for Gulf Coast,” the release continued. “Many workers live paycheck to paycheck,” it added, so “bridge funding provided by Southern Smoke Foundation will be critical to their survival until government support is available. Individuals may receive up to $1,000, and families may be eligible for up to $1,200,” the release noted.
“At Gulf Coast Community Foundation, we have a history of providing immediate, life-sustaining support to those most in need after disasters,” said Gulf Coast President and CEO Phillip Lanham in the release. “We know that the local food and beverage industry was significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene and supporting our community in times of need is why we exist. Together, we will rebuild and recover,” he added.
Southern Smoke takes care of its own “by putting dollars directly into the pockets of food and beverage workers” when that is needed most, the release continued. It is “a nonprofit founded and powered by current and past food and beverage workers who are dedicated to creating a meaningful safety net of support that doesn’t exist for most people in our world,” the release pointed out.
“Southern Smoke provides a simple application process and outlines requirements for funding on its website, assigning all applicants with a case manager for support,” the release said.
Donors and community members interested in contributing to Gulf Coast’s Rapid Response Fund may do so by visiting www.gulfcoastcf.org/rapidresponsefund, the release added. “Together, we can support those most in need post Hurricane Helene,” the release said.