SHELTERS
The Red Cross is operating temporary shelters 24/7 in the following locations and providing food, a secure and safe place, and cots. Residents should bring water, bedding, immediate toiletry supplies and medications.
• Island Community Church, 83400 Overseas Hwy., Islamorada, FL 33036 (One Sept. 19, the shelter housed 5.)
• Marathon High School, 350 Sombrero Beach Rd., Marathon, FL 33050 (On Sept. 19, the shelter housed 42.)
• Sugarloaf High School, 255 Crane Blvd., Summerland Key, FL 33042 (On Sept. 19, the shelter housed 16)
DISASTER DISTRIBUTION
Official sites:
Marathon High School
Marathon Community Park (skate park entrance)
Key Deer Refuge on U.S.1 (next to Coconuts), MM31
Sugarloaf School, MM 17
Searstown Plaza, Key West
4th Street parking lot, Bahama Village
In addition to the formal disaster distribution sites, many organizations have also opened their doors and are handing out supplies as long as they last.
• Marathon: American Legion, Kirk of the Keys, FKSPCA, La Nina, Hyatt, parking lot of Beall’s, DAV.
• Big Pine Key: Big Pine Key Flea Market, Winn-Dixie Plaza, Coca-Cola warehouse.
• Key West: Several groups are dispensing goods in the Kmart plaza in Key West.
DONATE
The outpouring of support from the state and country has been outstanding. Right now, officials are struggling to establish locations where donations can be dropped off to be distributed to the community. (Many areas are being used to house first responders and their equipment, or were destroyed by the storm.) In the meantime, the official policy can be summed up with, “cash is king.” Send monetary donations to a trusted source. More details coming soon.
