In response to Hurricane Milton’s potential impact on southwest Florida and the palpable angst shared across our region, The Patterson Foundation is contributing up to $3 million in new disaster relief and recovery funding to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The funding includes separate contributions to a pair of initiatives the Community Foundation manages that serve Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties: An immediate $1 million gift to Season of Sharing to help provide a financial bridge for those who could be displaced from their homes or face disruptions from work. This contribution comes in addition to The Patterson Foundation’s previously announced Season of Sharing challenge match, which donates $100,000 for every $500,000 raised by the community for the initiative. An immediate $1 million gift to the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund to help support long-term recovery efforts led by local nonprofits in areas impacted by the storm. A $1 million match for additional donations to the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund. The Patterson Foundation will match all donations up to $50,000, dollar for dollar.

“People throughout our region are anguished over what this potentially catastrophic storm will mean for their lives going forward,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “While we don’t have the answers for what lies ahead, we do know that we need to be here for each other right now. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County offers resources we can count on to restore our peace of mind in the short-term while strengthening community rebuilding efforts over the months and years that follow a major disaster. Everyone, regardless of their means or where they live, can support people and communities with confidence by donating to Season of Sharing and the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund.”

Season of Sharing, which typically kicks off annually at the beginning of November, is actively fundraising now to help ensure that impacts to those whose livelihoods are put on pause are as minimal as possible. A trusted, time-tested safety net for nearly 25 years, Season of Sharing covers expenses related to housing, utilities, transportation and childcare to help avoid compounding financial setbacks that can be the result of a missed payment. The Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is specifically focused on supporting vital community resources of those living here, including emphasis on mental and behavioral health, legal services, case management, children and youth services, as well as efforts identified by Long Term Recovery Groups within Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties. Such efforts include rebuilding and repairing homes, along with replacing damaged furniture and appliances, all of which makes homes safe and livable. The Fund directs contributions to local nonprofit organizations supporting long-term, long-range recovery programs to sustain human service agencies in our region.

Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Florida’s west coast as a major hurricane this week. According to the National Hurricane Center, Milton is expected to bring a large area of destructive storm surge and devastating hurricane-force winds. The storm comes just weeks after Hurricane Helene battered coastal communities in Florida with record-breaking storm surge that many people are still recovering from. Donations to Season of Sharing or the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund can be made online at cfsarasota.org/donors/support-our-community#donate or by sending a check (payable to Community Foundation of Sarasota County) to Attn: Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund or Season of Sharing, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237. All donations are tax-deductible. Those in need of assistance from Season of Sharing can call 2-1-1 to be directed to support and other services.