Food relief efforts seek support in wake of Hurricane Ian

Thousands of Floridians are in need of food and water following the destruction of Hurricane Ian as it accelerates across South Carolina, Georgia and other East Coast states, and food relief organizations are seeking donations.

Nearly 2 million customers lacked power across Florida today, and Lee County is without water following a main break, according to a USA Today report.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has delivered millions of meals and liters of water to affected areas in Florida and South Carolina. These government efforts are being supplemented by nonprofit and private organizations seeking food and water donations.

Feeding Tampa Bay has opened four sites for persons in need of food, water and other supplies. The organization is coordinating with the other Florida food banks to bring resources to areas such as Lee County and the surrounding areas that have been severely impacted.

The All Faiths Food Bank, which serves DeSoto and Sarasota counties, has an emergency response team sheltered in its warehouse and will be sending trucks with food supplies as roads are cleared, according to a ktul.com report.

Mercy Chefs is hoping to provide 30,000 meals per day and is seeking donations and volunteers.

Hormel Foods Corp. has provided support to nonprofit Convoy of Hope's disaster recovery response.

Other relief organizations involved in the efforts include World Central Kitchens, Disaster Relief at Work, Florida Disaster Fund, Island Harvest, the Salvation Army, The Volunteer Florida Foundation and Feeding South Florida.

Meanwhile, restaurants and stores are reopening across Northeast Florida, according to The Florida Times Union.