Helping Hands across Central Florida

10/31/2025

Now if a good time to help..

Adding both of our Amazon Wish Lists to one post and pinning it to the top of our page for your convenience. Feel free to share anytime. Thank you for your love and support.

Food Pantry Wish List

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2OXY87PCWELGA?ref_=wl_share

Dignity Center Wish List

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/VM57KN63SW33?ref_=wl_share

10/14/2024

UPDATE: The Insurance Village at RP Funding Center is closed. Those needing assistance. may visit the nearest location:
📍 Florida Strawberry Festival - TECO Expo Hall
2301 West Oak Street, Plant City, FL 33563
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice.

An insurance village is set to open at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland to help Polk County residents who need assistance filing insurance claims.

📍 RP Funding Center - 701 West Lime St., Lakeland.

Insurance village opening times:
📅 Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
📅 Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 16, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice.

Policyholders can meet with their insurance carriers in person and work together to file insurance claims. Policyholders should bring as much documentation as they can, including:

✔️ A driver’s license or other form of identification (Passport/State issued ID).
✔️ Insurance cards and insurance policy information/documentation.
✔️ Pictures or documentation of the property being claimed as a loss resulting from Hurricane Helene and/or Hurricane Milton.
✔️Repair estimates.
✔️Any additional insurance-related information that is readily accessible.

Due to space limitations, the insurance village will exclusively focus on insurance-related issues. Staff from other agencies will not be present to assist with other post-storm benefits. For more information, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org.

For the most up-to-date Polk County emergency management information, please monitor your local news media. Check the county website for updates at www.polk-county.net.

Full press release: https://www.polk-county.net/news/insurance-village-to-open-at-the-rp-funding-center-tomorrow/

10/13/2024

Polk County and The Salvation Army are distributing Meals Ready to Eat and water at the following sites this week:

➡️ Lake Bonnie, 2104 Longfellow Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33801, Tuesday - Friday, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

➡️ 200-500 Interlachen Parkway, Lakeland, FL, Friday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Check their websites for more details.
Polk County Distributions: https://www.polk-county.net/news/polk-food-and-water-distribution-sites-open/
Salvation Army Distributions: https://disaster.salvationarmyusa.org/MiltonServiceLocations

10/13/2024

Update: Linemen are working on Ge**er Dairy this morning and the Southeast section of the City as well as various areas around town. Tree crews are out all over the City taking care of broken limbs and damaged trees in the right-of-way. Approximately 500 customers still are without power.

10/13/2024

9 A.M. POWER OUTAGE UPDATE: Outage numbers have started to fall across Tampa Bay counties, especially for Hillsborough and Pinellas. View the outage map: http://specne.ws/Ucsk4R

10/13/2024

It will take at least seven days to restore power to the more than 35,600 Lakeland Electric customers who remained without power this morning, the utility reports.

10/12/2024

10/12/2024

Plant City Stadium is one of three fuel distribution sites open to the public who are having trouble finding fuel.

10/12/2024

10/12/2024

Swing by today to get a hot shower and grab a meal! We will also have places to sit inside and charge your devices!

10/12/2024

Distribution sites for water and food have been set up in several Polk County locations to help residents who were left without resources due to Hurricane Milton. The sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day until power is restored and commercial supplies are available.

Walker Road Park – 1035 Walker Road, Lakeland (If you are traveling from the north please use the following detour: Knight Stations Rd to N Galloway Rd to Swindell Rd)

Gator Creek Reserve – 9725 US Highway 98 N., Lakeland

Family Life Church – 139 Bulldog Way, Frostproof

Mulberry Civic Center – 901 N.E. Fifth St., Mulberry

For more information, please call the Citizens Information Line at (863) 298-7500 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.