WIMAUMA, Fla. — Applying for FEMA aid after hurricanes can be daunting, but a joint effort is underway to explain the process, especially to people in underserved communities who may be struggling to find resources.

In Wimauma, the Hispanic Services Council, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and FEMA are working together to close language gaps at pop-up locations in the area.

Victoria Salinas, the senior official of FEMA for Resilience, says distance can be a challenge for residents in underserved communities to get to a FEMA location.

“Sometimes you just need a little extra help to get through the process and so that’s why we’ve come here to Wimauma today, working with a local organization so that we’re really meeting people where they’re at and in a place they’re most comfortable,” said Salinas.

The sites have been a huge help to people like Maria Mellan, a resident who has lived in the community for more than 30 years.

Mellan sells food on her golf cart seven days a week, but without electricity to her store, she’s lost money.

“I sell food. The cream, cheese, ham, fish, everything went bad,” she said.

Mellan says it had been difficult to find government help where they speak her first language, but was able to fill out an application this week at a pop-up site.

 “(I am) grateful because we don’t get this help in places we are familiar with, so this is a big help,” she said. “I have the privilege that I do qualify to apply because I know many that don’t.”

Mellan is hopeful that with the assistance she will be able to rebuild her business and her life.

She’s hopeful she’s getting the answers she needs to tap into the help that’s available to re-build her business and her life.

A resource page is available on the Hispanic Services Council website, which includes links to Spanish-translated assistance pages.