The passing of both Hurricane Helene and Milton through our region has seen thousands of our neighbors experience the hardship of damage to homes and vehicles, and the loss of personal property. With Sacred Heart and its ancillary facilities making it through each storm relatively unscathed, the focus of both the friars and parish committees has quickly turned to ways in which the parish can assist those recovering from myriads of issues these two storms have caused. As many local charities and government agencies have been expertly addressing immediate needs, such as food, water, and temporary lodging, our parish and ecumenical partners at Love INC of Metro Tampa are focused on providing relief to those who still face the uphill battle of recovery and replacement of necessary home goods and supplies.
A special Giving from the Heart drive-thru donation event has been scheduled for Saturday, November 9, from 9 to 11 a.m. to address the medium and long-term needs of families continuing their recovery processes. Members from Sacred Heart’s Knights of Columbus Council #12110 will be on hand at the North Campus (formerly Sacred Heart Academy; 3515 N Florida Avenue) to collect and collate all donated items, with volunteers from Love INC of Metro Tampa, who will assist in the distribution of the items to families across their network of local partner churches.
“Our goal is to provide much-needed relief to those impacted by the storms, helping families recover and rebuild,” says Chalette Davis, executive director of Love INC of Metro Tampa. “We are focused on meeting the practical needs for individuals and families affected by the hurricanes.”
Requested items will cover four categories from which kits or “love bundles” will be made to deliver to families in need:
- Cleaning Kits
- Personal Hygiene Kits (Self Care Love Bundle)
- Infant/Toddler (Baby Love Bundles)
- Household Necessity Kits (Welcome Home Love Bundles)
“Our prayers are obviously with our parishioners and neighbors,” says Fr. Mike Jones, OFM, pastor of Sacred Heart. “We know this is a difficult time for so many, especially on an emotional and spiritual level, and will be for quite a while. We are still receiving sporadic reports regarding damages to our parishioners’ and neighbors’ homes, so we want to make sure that if we can alleviate any burden during the recovery process, we work toward doing so.”
Sacred Heart has hosted its Giving from the Heart drives for nearly four years. Born out of an outpouring of love from parishioners during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the drives have become a staple of the downtown church’s community outreach efforts, with donation events being held every other month in support of new and diverse beneficiaries each time.
The friars of Sacred Heart are keeping all neighbors, both within their parish community and across the region, in their prayers as the process of recovery and healing continues.
*Click the tabs below to view the needs lists.*
Cleaning Kit Items
- 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid
- Liquid laundry detergent (32-64 oz)
- Liquid household cleaner (12-16 oz, must be concentrated and not spray)
- Dish soap (16-28 oz)
- Sponges (at least 2 per kit)
- Cleaning wipes (disposable, no bleach, 30-40 count)
- Heavy-duty trash bags (24 count, 33-45 gallon size)
- Paper towels (2 rolls)
- Clothesline (50-100 feet of durable line)
- Clothespins (50 pack)
- Work gloves (preferably cotton with leather palm)
- Scrub brush
- Dust masks (5-10 count)
- Disinfectant wipes (2 packs of 35 count)
- Insect repellent spray (6-14 oz, pump or aerosol)
- Brooms
- Rakes
Personal Hygiene Kit Items (Self Care Love Bundle)
- Hand towels (15″ x 25″ or larger)
- Washcloths
- Toothbrushes (individually packaged)
- Toothpaste (travel or regular size)
- Bar soap (3-4 oz)
- Shampoo (12-15 oz)
- Deodorant (solid, 2.5-3 oz)
- Feminine hygiene products (pads/tampons)
- Combs or hairbrushes
- Nail clippers
- Razors (disposable, 2-4 pack)
- Band-aids (10 count)
- Hand sanitizer (travel size)
- Tissue packs (small)
- Moist towelettes or wet wipes (10-20 count)
Infant/Toddler Kit Items (Baby Love Bundles)
- Diapers (newborn to size 6)
- Baby wipes (unscented, 80-100 count)
- Baby wash or shampoo (10-15 oz)
- Diaper rash cream
- Baby lotion (8-12 oz)
- Infant formula (ready-to-feed or powdered, non-expired)
- Baby bottles and nipples
- Pacifiers
- Burp cloths
- Bibs
- Onesies (various sizes)
- Baby blankets
- Baby food (jars or pouches)
- Teething toys or rings
- Soft baby toys or rattles
Household Necessity Kit Items (Welcome Home Love Bundles)
- Blankets and bedding (sheets, pillowcases)
- Flashlights and batteries
- Portable phone chargers
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food (canned goods, snacks, protein bars)
- First aid kits
- Clothing (new socks, underwear, t-shirts)
- Towels and washcloths
Imaging for Partners, Parishes, & Media | E-Newsletter Images | Facebook Posts | Instagram Posts | Sliders | FB/Insta Story | Flyer
