TAMPA, Fla. — The minister for two of the Caribbean islands devastated by Hurricane Beryl said that serious aid is needed to help people survive.

The catastrophic winds destroyed infrastructure and, in some cases, everything the people there owned. Now, people in Tampa Bay are doing their part to help with the devastating loss.

Evie Larmond said she hopes to collect a stockpile of necessities for the people in the Caribbean impacted.

“What do we really need in these islands? They don’t really need clothes when they have nowhere to live. They need generators. They need tarps, they need tents, they need cots,” Larmond said.

She said people are already heeding the call.

“Everybody starts to call. What are you doing about it? Where do I bring stuff? When are you gonna start collecting stuff? What do you need? We’re overwhelmed with calls because people want to give,” Larmond said.

After seeing images that show the devastation of homes and entire communities, she said supplies aren’t the only things the people there need.

“The suggestion or the recommendation was made that we probably should consider sending a team of mental health professionals to the island of Grenada to see if we can help them cope with this loss that they have experienced,” she said.

Larmond, along with other local Caribbean community group leaders, have expanded their donation collections in Tampa Bay.

It’s what they believe is going to be needed to help to restore the devastating losses.

“Even though there are many islands, there’s one Caribbean. So regardless of who got hit, Granada’s loss is a Caribbean loss, and Granada should not carry that loss alone. Neither should Jamaica nor Barbados or St. Vincent,” she said.

It’s a loss she says could happen to anyone and something she wants people to consider as they offer help to those Caribbean islands.

The group is asking for donations of medical supplies, solar powered lanterns and power tools. They’re also collecting donations in six different locations, including Tampa, Riverview and St. Pete.

• Jerk Hut Tampa located at 1241 E Fowler Avenue in Tampa
• Pam Roti and Caribbean Grocery located at 2800 28th Avenue North in St. Pete
• Island Flavors & Tings located at 1411 49th St. South in Gulfport
• Red Star Live located at 9847 E. Adamo Dr. in Tampa
• Flavaz Jamaican Grille located on 6467 US 301 S., in Riverview
• Outside BBQ located at 1613 E. Dr. MLK Blvd., in Tampa.

For more information, contact DJ Spice at 813-404-4896 or Ms. Evie at 416-3946.