Here’s how to find help, help others

Where can I find food, water and shelter?

The American Red Cross has several free “feeding stations” in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Charley. In Orange County, go to University High School, 11550 Lokanotosa Trail; Union Park Middle School, 1844 Westfall Drive; and Oak Ridge High School, 6000 S. Winegard Road. In Kissimmee, go to the Osceola Square Mall. Lunch will be served each day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; dinner is 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Orange County fire stations are giving out water. In Seminole, call the Office of Emergency Management at 407-665-8001 for water locations. In Osceola, water is available at the Osceola Square Mall.

New Smyrna Beach will open the City Gym at 1000 Live Oak St. to city residents in need of a shelter. Residents should bring food, bedding, medications and other items.

In Polk County, free meals will be offered today from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the following locations: Bartow Senior High School, 1270 S. Broadway Ave.; Haines City High School, 2800 Hornet Drive; Frostproof High School, 1000 N. Palm Ave.; Fort Meade Middle/Senior High School, 700 Edgewood Drive.; and Lake Wales Senior High School, 1 Highlander Way.

The Red Cross has set up a hotline to help direct people to aid. Call 1-866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4636).

In Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties, the Heart of Florida United Way has a 211 line people can call for help.

Also, many grocery stores are open, even if for limited hours. Some have only water, dry goods and nonperishable items.

How can I help the hurricane victims?

The Red Cross is not set up to handle donations of food and clothing, said spokeswoman Mai Lindstrom. But she said the Red Cross needs money. Call 1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669).

Other agencies that collect food and clothing include: Salvation Army, 407-423-8581; Mustard Seed, 407-875-2040; Christian Service Center, 407-425-2523; and Second Harvest Food Bank, 407-295-1066. In Volusia, the Community Life Center is taking donations of nonperishable foods at these Blockbuster locations: 890 Saxon Blvd., Orange City; 2499 Enterprise Road, Orange City; 915 Doyle Road, Deltona.

The Heart of Florida United Way has created the Hurricane Relief Fund to serve residents of Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. To contribute or receive assistance, call 211 or 407-839-HELP (4357). Individuals or companies can contribute by sending a check to Heart of Florida United Way, P.O. Box 608210, Orlando, Fla., 32860-8210. They can also be dropped off at any SunTrust Bank branch in Orange, Osceola or Seminole counties.

Where can I get ice?

Many places have ice, if only for a short while. Even grocery stores with no refrigeration have ice trucked in daily. Check at the places you shop or ask your neighbors. Some fire stations are giving away ice in limited supplies.

How can I apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency?

Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. This is for use only by people in designated federal disaster areas. Be prepared to give your Social Security number, describe your losses, provide financial information and give directions to the damaged property.