City Launches Caribbean Relief Drive Following Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa made landfall across several Caribbean islands this week as a powerful and destructive storm, leaving catastrophic conditions in its wake. Communities across the region are facing widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, long-term power outages, and devastating impacts to homes, schools, and medical facilities. Many families have been displaced, and urgent shortages of food, water, and medical supplies are creating life-threatening conditions.

In response, the City of Fort Lauderdale is partnering with Food For The Poor (FFTP), one of the nation's largest international relief organizations, to launch a Caribbean Relief Drive supporting those affected by the storm.

Beginning immediately, all Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (FLFR) stations and Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) Headquarters will serve as donation drop-off sites for members of the public wishing to contribute to recovery efforts.

Donation Drop-Off Locations

All Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue station lobbies will be open for donation drop-offs between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.

Fire Station Locations

• Station 2: 528 NW 2nd St.
• Station 3: 2801 SW 4th Ave.
• Station 8: 1717 SW 1st Ave.
• Station 16: 533 NE 22nd St., Wilton Manors
• Station 29: 2002 NE 16th St.
• Station 35: 1969 E. Commercial Blvd.
• Station 46: 1515 NW 19th St.
• Station 47: 1000 SW 27th Ave.
• Station 49: 1015 Seabreeze Blvd.
• Station 53: 2200 Executive Airport Way
• Station 54: 3211 NE 32nd St.

Alternatively, donations may be dropped off at the Fort Lauderdale Police Department lobby at 1515 W. Cypress Creek Rd. Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Donations collected at these sites will be delivered to Food For The Poor's distribution center in Coconut Creek, where they will be sorted and shipped directly to impacted areas in coordination with local authorities and partner organizations.

Most Needed Items

• Nonperishable food and canned goods
• Hygiene and toiletry products (wash cloths, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste)
• Baby supplies (diapers, wipes, formula)
• First-aid kits
• New, unused work gloves
• Heavy-duty trash bags
• Solar-powered lights
• Tarps
• Crank or battery-powered AM/FM radios
• Flashlights and batteries
• Sleeping bags
• Industrial sponges
• Military cots

Please note: Clothing, linens, shoes, and generators will not be accepted. Monetary donations will not be accepted on site.

Those wishing to make a monetary donation can do so at https://www.FoodForThePoor.org/MelissaRelief. Residents can call our Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000 with any questions.

About Food For The Poor

Food For The Poor is an international nonprofit organization headquartered in Broward County. Founded in 1982, the organization works to reduce poverty and provide life-saving assistance throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Its programs focus on delivering food, clean water, housing, healthcare, education, and disaster relief to communities in need.

As one of the largest relief and development organizations in the United States, Food For The Poor partners with local governments, churches, and community organizations to provide immediate aid after natural disasters and to support long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.