Resources for Business Assistance and Volunteer Efforts in the Wake of Superstorm Sandy

Today’s blog post comes from WebPT Senior Copywriters Erica Cohen and Charlotte Bohnett.

We hope this post finds our friends, Members, and colleagues on the East Coast safe and warm; however, we know many of you are still recovering from the devastating effects of Superstorm Sandy. For that reason, we wanted to take a moment to share some valuable resources for you and your loved ones. 

Image from American Red Cross and NBCUniversal “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together” telethon.

Assistance

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Affected individuals and businesses in eligible counties in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York can apply for disaster assistance through FEMA. Additionally, you can search for open shelters by texting: SHELTER and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).

Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA offers low interest support programs for businesses affected by disasters, even if you have only suffered economic loss. SBA also covers property and equipment damage.

New York City Business Assistance
New York City, including the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), through the New York City Business Solutions program, offers financial support in the form of low-interest loans (up to $25,000 for small business; $500,000 for mid to large businesses). Additionally, NYC is offering “swing” office space at the Brooklyn Army Terminal free of charge for temporarily displaced businesses.

New York Sports Club
The New York Sports Club is offering their gym and shower facilities free of charge to anyone in need of a shower, sauna, and workout. With locations throughout the city, the clubs are open to local residents, age 18 and older, with proper ID today until November 14th.

New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available for people, including self-employed individuals, who were living or working in the affected areas of New Jersey at the time of Superstorm Sandy, and who are unemployed as a direct result of damages caused by the storm. Eligible counties include Atlantic, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union.

Volunteer
Below are fourteen ways to help with relief efforts. Much of this information comes from Emma Grady on treehugger.com in an article entitled “12 Ways to Help Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts.”

1. Occupy Sandy Relief for New Jersey is organizing a relief effort in areas affected by the Hurricane. Their website includes supply drop-off location, volunteer opportunities, and organizer information, and services.
2. New York Cares is driving a number of Hurricane Sandy relief projects, from composting with Build It Green! in Queens to a Clean-Up at Franz Sigel Park in the Bronx.
3. The NYC Mayor’s Office is urging people to sign up for volunteer efforts through NYC Service.
4. Staten Island Recovers is coordinating “community-powered disaster recover” for Staten Island. They are accepting donations of clothing, tools, and any other helpful items you may have (via Time Out NY).
5. New York Tech Meetup is looking for tech all-stars to lend their skills and help small businesses get their websites back up and running (via Time Out NY).
6. NYC.gov lists Public Emergency Shelters for Hurricane Sandy, which need volunteers and donations. If you are close by, or can get there safely, you can inquire directly to see what help and supplies they need (via Support Victims of Hurricane Sandy on Facebook).
7. Food Not Bombs is seeking volunteers and donations for its Northeast chapters in NYC, Boston, and Philadelphia (via Time Out NY).
8. Already a trained volunteer in New Jersey? Contact the New Jersey volunteer emergency hotline at 1-800-Jersey-7 (1-800-537-7397) or email rowena.madden@sos.state.nj.us (via New Jersey Newsroom).
9. The Salvation Army is aiding those in crisis with hot meals, water, and shelter. To send a $10 donation via text message, you can text the word STORM to 80888, and confirm the donation with the word, “Yes.” They are also accepting used clothing and furniture donations to local Salvation Army locations (via NBC News).
10. The Food Bank for New York City is distributing emergency food and supplies. To donate, text “FBNYC” to 50555 or make a monetary contribution online. Their local food pantries and kitchens also need disaster response volunteers—sign up with this form (via Gothamist).
11. The Mahwah Elves are looking for volunteers to help clean up after Sandy and residents with generators to take in displaced families. Interested? Call 201-485-6352 or email MahwahElves@aol.com (via New Jersey Newsroom).
12. The Humane Society is leading pet search and rescue efforts. To support their initiatives, donate on their website.
13. The Brooklyn Recovery Fund is aiding local Brooklyn nonprofits, civic institutions, and small businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy (via Support Victims of Hurricane Sandy on Facebook).
14. The American Red Cross is offering shelter, clothing, supplies, food and blood to Hurricane Sandy victims. To donate $10 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief, text “REDCROSS” to 90999 or you can call 800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). To donate blood, visit the Red Cross website (via NBC News).

Additionally, the New York and New Jersey APTA chapters have established relief funds to help the physical therapy community impacted by Sandy. The APTA will match contributions to both funds 1:1 up to $5,000. Click here to donate to the New Jersey Chapter’s Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Fund; and click here to donate to New York. In addition to the chapter-specific relief efforts, the APTA will donate $1,000 to the American Red Cross.

Have more resources to share? Please post them below in the comments section.