The Volunteer Florida Foundation has awarded a $150,000 grant for Hurricane Milton response and recovery efforts in Polk County.
GiveWell Community Foundation and United Way of Central Florida have been leading efforts to assist residents most affected by the storm since it struck in October 2024. The Volunteer Florida Foundation grant will provide critical funding for the Polk Milton Recovery Committee, which includes representatives from the two organizations, other nonprofits, and local, state and federal agencies, GWCF said in a news release.
“We are grateful to the Volunteer Florida Foundation for supporting our efforts to continue helping families still facing long-term challenges after Hurricane Milton,” Callie Neslund, GiveWell Community Foundation’s president and CEO, said in a news release. “The Polk Milton Recovery Committee is committed to providing recovery assistance to those dealing with lasting impacts from the storm.”
Rebuilding Together Greater Florida and Inspiritus are two of the organizations that have been working with dozens of Polk County families. Rebuilding Together Greater Florida helps homeowners affected by hurricanes with free home repairs and renovations. Inspiritus is focused on providing long-term recovery assistance for families and individuals with unmet needs following a natural disaster, including managing home repairs and construction, the release said.
“One year after Hurricane Milton, too many Polk families are still struggling in unsafe or unstable housing,” Christina Criser Jackson, president and CEO of United Way of Central Florida, said in the release. “Thanks to Volunteer Florida’s support, the Polk Milton Recovery Committee can continue vital efforts — repairing homes, stabilizing families, and ensuring our most vulnerable neighbors are not left behind long after the storm.”
Polk County residents interested in applying for assistance may use the following links:
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Volunteer Florida Foundation awards $150,000 grant for Milton recovery in Polk County
Reporting by Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
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