NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Residents in Pasco County, just north of Tampa Bay, are taking relief efforts into their own hands after Hurricane Helene.
Several community and volunteers groups are now working together as a new group called "Pasco BRAVE."
Angel Cook is one of the founders of the group. She said the "BRAVE" in the group's name stands for "Bringing Relief And Volunteer Efforts."
"Let’s get together," Cook said. "Let’s make one group effort. We’ll cover a lot more ground and make a lot more progress and help a lot more people. So here we are.”
Wednesday morning, Pasco BRAVE is opening to the public inside a local church, Our Lady Queen of Peace, in New Port Richey, Florida.
Father Sebastian, the pastor of the church, said he hopes this center will bring comfort to victims of Hurricane Helene.
"Many of them lost their houses, lost their car, lost everything," Sebastian said. "They have no place to lay down their head.”
“They can just show up," said David Cruz, with Knights of Columbus. "We don’t want anyone to be afraid of coming here.”
Inside, there are hundreds of free hygiene kits. Each contains a towel, comb and deodorant.
"Shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap," Cruz said.
Cleanup kits are also available, complete with dust pans, brushes, mops, brooms, gloves and more. Donated nonperishable food items, ready-to-eat meals and water are also available at no cost.
“We just want as many people to come here and get help as necessary," Cruz said.
Rows of diapers and boxes of baby food sit ready to be picked up.
"A lot of assortment of different baby diapers," Cruz said.
Organizers say the church will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting Wednesday, Oct. 2. The goal is to stay open for at least two weeks.
"My hope is that this room is filled with volunteers and people in the community who need it most," Cook said. "I know that it will be. I know that we’re going to make a big difference.”