FORT MYERS, Fla. — Southwest Florida is now out of Dorian's projected path, but many are now left wondering how to help those who did experience the powerful storm.
Teresa Gates, of Cape Coral, is one of those people.
The heartbreaking images from the battered Island nation sent her racing to the Harry Chapin Food Bank in Fort Myers, to drop off some hurricane supplies before they closed Tuesday.
"It's just devastating, I just saw it right before I went to the store," said Gates.
Fox 4 reached out to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida to learn how best to help.
According to is president and CEO, Richard LeBer, food donations aren’t always the best way to help following a major natural disaster.
"If you really want to help people on the east coast and in the Bahamas, then honestly the best thing to do is to give money,” said LeBer.
According to LeBer in situations like this, large-scale food donation typically works best if given in palettes and one-off food donations are best used locally.
Cash, on the other hand, can help buy more than just the food that those victims will need.
"Whatever you can give, if it's a nickel, dime. Just go to your local place and jut donate and give what you can,” said Gates.
If you want to donate cash to hurricane victims, you can bring it to the Harry Chapin Food Bank.
And be careful, scammers are also looking to grab your donations. You can check the validity of an organization with these handy tools from the Better Business Bureau and the IRS.
