The Fifth Third Foundation has contributed $500,000 to support relief efforts for those impacted by Hurricane Ian, which made landfall in Florida on Sept. 28. Jim Weiss, regional president of Fifth Third Bank (South Florida), said the $500,000 donation to five local organizations aims at bringing relief to the people impacted and the thousands who continue to grapple in the aftermath of the tragedy. In addition, Fifth Third Bank has deployed its Fifth Third Financial Empowerment Mobile, or eBus, to assist the people of Florida. In partnership with the city of Fort Myers and the Southwest Florida Enterprise Center, Bank staff will accompany the eBus to help residents apply for aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (DSNAP) and other emergency and basic need resources, including water. Loan hardship assistance will also be available. The Foundation’s funds will be split between the following organizations: $250,000 to United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties; $100,000 to United Way of Collier and the Keys; $75,000 to Lee Memorial Health System Foundation, $50,000 to United Way of South Sarasota County, and $25,000 to United Way of Charlotte County. The eBus will be at 3903 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Fort Myers on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Red Cross has created a special Fifth Third microsite to make it easy for employees, customers and communities to contribute to the support and recovery efforts. The site includes additional information on how to give. We are standing with them to recover and rebuild. The Fifth Third Cares Fund is available to help Bank employees impacted by Hurricane Ian. The fund was established a decade ago and designed to provide short-term emergency support to Fifth Third Bank employees or eligible dependents who are facing serious financial hardship because of a natural disaster, and who cannot afford housing, utilities and other basic living expenses. The Fund also allows Bank employees the opportunity to participate in this effort by contributing to the fund in support of colleagues who may experience such a hardship.