In the wake of Hurricane Milton's destruction, the City of Miami Gardens has launched a relief initiative to help those hardest hit by the storm. Scheduled to start this Friday, the effort involves an 18-wheeler parked at Norwood Park, ready to be loaded with essential supplies. The donation drive will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day until Sunday, as reported by CBS News.
City Councilman Reggie Leon and State Representative Ashley Gant are leading the charge, emphasizing the provision of aid to underserved communities, particularly in the Tampa Bay area. While aiming to avoid the relief delays witnessed during Hurricane Ian, "During hurricane Ian, we saw that a lot of the underserved communities had a delay in receiving relief so ahead of the storm," Reggie Leon said in an interview with WSVN. They coordinated early with local leaders to prepare the groundwork for immediate support post-storm.
Residents are called upon to donate items including non-perishable food, sanitary items, baby diapers, and hygiene kits. However, the drive will not accept donations of clothes or furniture. All collected items are set to be swiftly delivered to the impacted communities come the following Monday, with Leon noting, "So we are asking for these donations so that we can take relief to those communities on this Monday coming up," as per WSVN.
The initiative doesn't stand alone; several community partners are supporting the effort, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's Miami Alumnae Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's Sigma Alpha Chapter, the Miami Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, and Cox Media Group. Ensuring supplies reach those most in need without delay, "We learned from Hurricane Ian," Leon told CBS News. The city has synchronized its efforts with churches and community organizations in minority and underserved areas for this purpose.
