TAMPA, Fla. — As people in Puerto Rico deal with yet another strong earthquake, groups here in Florida are doubling down on fundraising efforts to help them.
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Part of today’s sales at several Puerto Rican food trucks in Tampa will go towards rebuilding efforts on the island.
“Coming from Puerto Rico, just seeing the situation we’re going through right now, we didn’t hesitate for one second to realize this needed to be possible to raise funds to help the beautiful island of Puerto Rico,” said Mariluz Vazquez, owner of Chinchorrear es la que Hay food truck.
Puerto Rican aid groups Somos Puerto Rico Tampa and Course of Action have also teamed up to raise money for those affected.
On Sunday, they were outside the food trucks gathering donations in the form of checks from community members who wanted to give back.
The latest magnitude 5.9 quake caused even more damage along the island’s southern coast.
Many are without power, and people are so scared they’ve been sleeping outdoors for days.
“Mentally, it’s really bad," said Yolie Cintron of Somos Puerto Rico Relief Team Orlando. "Right now, we need people to deal with that kind of problems. PTSD. People are very, very, very scared."
“We are here and we feel helpless," said Jeannie Calderin of Somos Puerto Rico Tampa. "We know the vulnerability, we know what’s going on and we’re so helpless. We don’t know how we can help even more.”
The groups plan on being at the food trucks on Sligh and 56th Street in Tampa again Sunday to collect monetary donations.
You can also donate on their GoFundMe page.
They’ll be giving that money directly to those affected.