SARASOTA/MANATEE COUNTIES, FL (August 12, 2024) – As Tropical Storm (later Hurricane) Debby soaked our region with record-breaking rain totals, many residents were forced to flee rising floodwaters. Some roads in the region remained impassable for days while the scope of the damage to homes, property and cars is still to be determined.

On August 5, while the storm continued to rage, Goodwill Manasota worked with Manatee County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to provide clothing to evacuees in the shelter at Jessie P. Miller Elementary School. There were 37 adults and 15 children whose homes had been flooded and were evacuated with just the wet clothing they were wearing. Goodwill collected clothing and blankets from store inventory and the County sent someone to pick up the items to bring to the shelter.  

Later that same day, Alexa Olivas – Goodwill’s VP of donated goods – brought 120 Goodwill gift cards to the EOC for residents who were sheltering at Nolan Elementary School. The Red Cross and the EOC each have a supply of cards to give to those who have been displaced to shelters due to flooding.

On August 6, Goodwill delivered a truckload of towels, clothing, and nearly 100 gift cards to the shelter at Suncoast Technical College in Sarasota. As of Monday night, there were 40 people in the shelter but officials expected that number to swell.

“Goodwill Manasota is proud to be able to step up in times of crisis to help our neighbors in need,” said President and CEO Donn Githens. “We distributed tens of thousands of masks in the early days of the pandemic, provided store vouchers and critical social service information through our Community Resource Centers after Hurricane Ian, and have been pleased for many years to collect food for Meals on Wheels PLUS and All Faiths Food Bank for those who are food insecure. When the community comes together, we are all stronger.”

For more information, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.

About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With philanthropic donations and revenue generated by the sales of donated goods, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those with other barriers to employment by providing jobs, job skills training, and free career services. For more information or for a listing of locations, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.