Almost three weeks ago, Hurricane Helene made landfall, leaving a trail of devastation across multiple states. As communities began the task of rebuilding, another historic storm, Hurricane Milton, struck Florida late last week.
The DTE Foundation responded to these disasters in a couple of ways.
When disaster strikes, American Red Cross (ARC) workers deploy emergency response vehicles (ERVs) to deliver essential relief services. After Helene, the Michigan ARC dispatched several ERVs to the hardest-hit areas. One of these ERVs, funded by a $100,000 grant from the DTE Foundation, made its way to Tallahassee immediately following Hurricane Helene.
These ERVs are crucial, enabling volunteers to reach those in need with food and supplies. The Foundation’s ERV was assigned to Grand Rapids residents and ARC volunteers, Tom and Mary Westgate, who drove the vehicle from Michigan to Tallahassee to provide critical support.
Tom shared his thoughts on the ERV’s impact: “The ERV helps us reach people who need it most. We are grateful to provide help and hope, ensuring families never face a crisis alone.”
The Foundation also granted $10,000 to help feed impacted residents through two nonprofit organizations that were on the ground – The Salvation Army and Feeding America.
The Salvation Army deployed feeding units, alongside Southern Baptist Disaster Relief field kitchens, to provide food and drinks, emotional and spiritual care, and emergency relief supplies to rescue workers and survivors.
Feeding America, a national organization dedicated to combating food insecurity, provided meals to those affected, and thanks to the Foundation’s grant, 50,000 meals were distributed to storm victims.
If you’re interested in being part of hurricane relief efforts, visit the links below: