Search UT

Members of UTampa’s PEACE Volunteer Center have been busy assisting those impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Following Hurricane Helene, volunteers went to World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team Pinellas County Field Kitchen. The Relief Team cooks and provides meals to those in need.

Abigail King ’25, an international business and marketing major from Massachusetts, was there.

“Seeing the devastation that occurred after Helene passed through, I knew I needed to help in any way that I could,” she said.

The group worked with leaders from World Central Kitchen to scoop, package and hand out meals. They also spoke with people about how Helene impacted them and heard what other resources they needed. The volunteers were able to direct them to additional resources, like free laundry, free cleaning supplies and where else they could receive water and food.

King described the experience as “eye-opening.”

“It put into perspective what really matters and showed me that I shouldn’t take this beautiful life for granted,” she added. “I think it’s important that we give back to the community because it brings us together and helps us do something out of our comfort zone.” 

Ella McCasland ’25, a psychology major from Connecticut, completed a similar service mission.

McCasland and a group of student and faculty volunteers worked with Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit that works to serve hot meals to communities impacted by severe weather-related disasters.

The volunteers also helped to prepare the organization to mobilize ahead of Hurricane Milton. They made over 4,000 meals to support the people affected.

“As an out-of-state resident, I feel a particular urgency to support this community that has welcomed myself and my peers, so openly,” McCasland said.

“As someone who was not directly affected by these storms, I feel not only a want, but a responsibility to serve those who have been far less fortunate.”

In the coming weeks, the PEACE Volunteer Center will continue to work on hurricane relief in the Tampa Bay community.

Throughout this week, PEACE will be tabling in the Vaughn Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., collecting physical donations for Feeding Tampa Bay and monetary donations for both Feeding Tampa Bay and Metropolitan Ministries.

To learn more about PEACE’s upcoming hurricane relief efforts, follow its Instagram @peace_volunteercenter, or visit its InvolveUT page.